Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Silvestri, S. 2007. Puntledge River (Reach C) spawning gravel placements for fish habitat restoration, 2006. Prepared for BC Hydro. |
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| Organization | BC Hydro |
| URL | https://www.bchydro.com/bcrp/projects/docs/vancouver_island/06.PUN.01.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | In 2000, the strategic plan for the Bridge-Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program (BCRP) was released and provided the technical framework to guide restoration activities and priorities in the Bridge-Coastal Generation Area, including the Puntledge River watershed (BC Hydro 2000). Primary factors limiting fish diversity and production in the Puntledge River watershed were identified and included restricted access to historic habitats, diversion of water, loss of habitat and reduced habitat capability. The loss of spawning habitat has been identified as the limiting factor to chinook production in the system. Restoration objectives aimed at addressing the limiting factors were prioritized in BCRP’s strategic plan and included: 1. Restore historic wild salmon access to Comox Lake, 2. Improve habitat conditions for fish stocks using the river channel between Comox Dam and the tailrace at the BC Hydro generation station, 3. Conserve and improve habitats for resident wild and supplemented fish stocks in Comox Reservoir and its tributary systems. In 2001, the Puntledge River water use planning (WUP) consultative process was initiated and consisted of 18 members representing a wide range of interest groups (i.e., power, fish, wildlife, culture, recreation, governments, etc.). The purpose of the planning process was to develop recommendations defining a preferred operating regime using a multi-stakeholder consultative process (BC Hydro 2003). When completed in 2003, the WUP process identified several issues regarding fish production in the Puntledge River, including optimal fish flow requirements for summer migration, rearing and spawning. In addition to recommendations defining a preferred operating regime, the consultative committee suggested that several monitoring studies be undertaken to answer key uncertainties, including spawning gravel monitoring and egg to fry survivals with different flow regimes. Several issues outside the scope of the WUP were also identified by the consultative committee including the recommendation that gravel placements be performed in lieu of operational changes (BC Hydro 2003). |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Vancouver Island North |
| Sub-watershed if known | Puntledge River |
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| Project status | complete |
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