Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Burt, D, and Palfrey, N. 2011. San Juan and Gordon River Watersheds: Habitat status report (Final). Prepared for Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Organization DFO
URL https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjYnYGh3O7JAhVH8j4KHSO0C5YQFggdMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.psf.ca%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F347397_81.pdf&usg=AFQjCNEOse5EIaqvbe69441-mum3SbbkEg&sig2=Ag6PZNieWFm3VnOBxF0hEw
Abstract/Description or Keywords Canada's Wild Salmon Policy (WSP) was adopted in 2005 and has the overall goal to "restore
and maintain healthy and diverse salmon populations and their habitats for the benefit and enjoyment
of the people of Canada in perpetuity" (DFO 2005). Strategy 2 of the WSP involves the assessment
of habitat status, and Step 1 of this assessment calls for a review available literature to document the
characteristics and condition of habitat within a given Conservation Unit (CU). The purpose of this
report was to provide a Strategy 2/Step 1 report summarizing the state of habitat within the San Juan
and Gordon River Watersheds. The report will serve to provide guidance with respect to future
restoration efforts by the San Juan Watershed Round Table. Specific objectives included: 1)
summarize characteristics and condition of habitat in the study watersheds, 2) identify factors
limiting fish production, and high value habitats needing protection, 3) select habitat indicators that
can be used to monitor the ongoing status of habitat, 4) outline priorities for habitat protection,
rehabilitation, or restoration, 5) outline data gaps in our ability to address the previous objectives.
The review drew upon a large number of reports made available by various members of the
Round Table and collated and converted to digital format by the Pacheedaht First Nation. In addition,
interviews were conducted with persons knowledgeable of the study watersheds. The characteristics
and condition of habitat were summarized in terms of hillslope condition, riparian condition, channel
condition, and estuarine condition. Following this, limiting and high value habitats were identified
for each of the 5 Pacific salmon species. Wild Salmon Policy pressure and state indicators were
selected that best address the issues identified with respect to habitat condition in the study
watersheds. Lastly, recommendations were made as to the direction of future restoration efforts.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island South
Sub-watershed if known San Juan River, Gordon River
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email