| ID |
2239 |
| Citation |
Larkin, G.A., P.A. Slaney, P. Warburton and A.S. Wilson. 1998. Suspended sediment and fish habitat sedimentation in central interior watersheds of British Columbia. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and Ministry of Forests. Watershed Restoration Management Report No. 7: 31 p. |
| Organization |
British Columbia Conservation Foundation; Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks |
| URL |
http://docs.streamnetlibrary.org/BC_MELP/WRMgmtRept-07.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
Many watersheds in the central interior of British Columbia are designated for rehabilitation under the Watershed Restoration Program, which includes measures to control surface erosion. A study of suspended sediment and fish habitat sedimentation in several watersheds of the central interior, precursory to restoration activity, is described in this report. Suspended sediment concentrations measured during the spring snowmelt period indicated that sediment delivery to the nine streams surveyed was highly variable. Concentration profiles in some streams were indicative of chronic sources of sediment, but profiles in other streams were indicative of episodic sources of sediment. Severity-of-ill-effect values determined from the suspended sediment data were sufficiently high to indicate lethal and paralethal effects on the resident and migratory fish populations present in streams during the study period. Particularly severe impacts were predicted for eggs and developing larvae. High flow conditions in the spring of 1997 created considerable interference with the calibration and evaluation of sediment traps as monitors for hillslope and/or stream bank restoration projects. Despite the problems, a positive relationship between sediment accumulation in the traps and suspended sediment loading was evident. The sediment traps are a robust technique and are recommended for selected use under moderate flow conditions, and where bedload movement is not dominant. The traps should become an integral part of monitoring the effectiveness of restoration projects involving erosion control, and will complement other evaluations of project success. |
| Information Type |
Report |
| Regional Watershed |
Bowron River; Willow River; Slim Creek |
| Sub-watershed if known |
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