Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 370 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Cooperman, M.S., Hinch, S.G., Bennett, S., Quigley, J.T., Galbraith, R.V., and Branton M.A. 2006. Rapid assessment of the effectiveness of engineered off-channel habitats in the southern interior of British Columbia for coho salmon production. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2768: v + 30 p. |
| Organization | Fisheries and Oceans |
| URL | http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/327522.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | watershed restoration, salmonids, aquatic habitat; Prior research has demonstrated that enhanced and constructed off-channels can provide high quality rearing habitat for young salmonids, particularly coho salmon, and provision of these habitats has become a common management action throughout western North America. However, detailed assessment of the functionality and fish use of these habitats has been limited. We used a rapid assessment approach to assess level of offchannel-mainstem connectivity, thermal suitability and juvenile coho salmon utilization of ten constructed off-channel projects in the greater Kamloops, British Columbia area. Eight of ten off-channels appeared to be functioning as designed, although five of these eight had conditions that may compromise their utility to young coho salmon. In particular, the presence of beaver dams and/or extensive aquatic macrophyte growth may limit connectivity to the parent system or impair water quality. While it appears engineered off-channels can, and in many cases do, provide significant benefits for young coho salmon rearing in the southern interior of BC, their effectiveness may be greatly enhanced by targeting construction to sites that provide upwelling groundwater and by making routine project maintenance a management priority. To ensure constructed offchannels provide long-term benefits, we suggest future funding allocations for offchannel construction explicitly incorporate resources for project monitoring and maintenance and that management agencies responsible for the off-channels continue and expand their efforts to recruit local community group stewardship. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Shuswap |
| Sub-watershed if known | |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | Scott Hinch |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |