Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation British Columbia Conservation Foundation. 2010. ECVI Water Storage Feasibility (Year 2 of 4). Report prepared for Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.
Organization BCCF
URL http://www.livingrivers.ca/gbvi/dox/HCTF%20Annual%20Report%2009-10%20PROJ%201-430.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords In the face of climate change in the Pacific Northwest resulting in longer and more severe droughts in
southern BC watersheds, stream rearing trout and salmon stocks are likely to experience reduced
productivity due to declines in habitat quantity and quality. Impact mechanisms include changes in
growth rates, thermal mortality, oxygen stress, changes in prey density and changes in interspecific and
intraspecific competition (Nelitz et al. 2007).
To address this issue, BC Conservation Foundation working with Ministry of Environment (MoE)
continued feasibility assessments of potential stream flow improvement projects in east coast Vancouver
Island (ECVI) watersheds in partnership with DFO, First Nations (FNs), local governments, Ducks
Unlimited Canada and community stewards. Projects since 2006 have included structural modifications
or operational refinements to existing storage sites as well as new designs at locations where potential
biological benefits are high, impacts are low, implementation is determined to be cost effective, and
sufficient partner funding exists. In addition to modeling expected fish production benefits, activities
undertaken by BCCF and sub-contracted experts included environmental impact assessments (plants, fish,
amphibians, birds, as required), extensive stakeholder consultation, hydrologic studies, conceptual and
design engineering, and licensing.
Focusing on mainstems and sub-basins between Victoria and Port Hardy, flow improvements are
designed to increase wild production of trout and salmon by providing elevated seasonal base flows and
maintaining and/or increasing the area and quality of summer rearing habitat. Target species are mainly
stream rearing salmonids including steelhead and cutthroat trout and coho salmon. Flow improvements
may also benefit summer and early fall migrants such as adult summer run steelhead, pink salmon and
Chinook salmon. Without investments to improve base flows, stocks will be less able to cope with
stochastic population declines or support traditional sport fisheries and may need additional protection or
more costly mitigation to ensure conservation levels are met.
During 2009/10, this project's objective was to bring at least two of seven high priority candidate sites to
the implementation phase, and advance several others closer to completion stages. Storage feasibility was
essentially completed at Keogh Lake and at Upper Quinsam/Wokas Lakes, though implementation of
only the former will likely proceed in 2010. BC Hydro’s prioritized project list for fiscal 2010/11 does
not include implementation of negative storage development at Upper Quinam/Wokas Lakes in the
Quinsam watershed. At a third site on Charters River in the Sooke River watershed, background agreements with the Capital Regional District, T’Sou-ke FN and local ENGO were completed and fundraising
for implementation phases in 2010 commenced.
Information Type Report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island South, Vancouver Island North
Sub-watershed if known
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email