| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
This report presents the results of an overview hydrologic assessment of the Whistle Creek watershed. The 1997 Merritt District IWAP identified potential concerns with respect to peak flows, surface erosion and riparian buffers in this watershed. Concerns also include the impact of the five-year forest development plan on peak flows and channel stability. Fieldwork was carried out in September and October 1998. The Whistle Creek watershed, with an area of 108 km squared, is located 30 km east of Princeton. Elevations range from 540 m at the confluence with the Similkameen River to 2000 m along the southern watershed boundary. The H60 elevation line is located at 1440 m. A major tributary, Pettigrew Creek, drains approximately 60% of the total watershed area. The lower reaches of Whistle and Pettigrew Creeks are located in a canyon, with slope gradients of 50% to 70%. Gentle terrain can be found in the upper two thirds of the watershed with slope gradients generally less than 20%. A small part (26 ha) of the Churchwayha Indian Reservation no. 2C can be found along the Whistle Creek/ John's Creek boundary in the eastern edge of the watershed. Private property land, located near the mouth of Whistle Creek, totals to 1.2% of the watershed area. Forest harvesting, which dates back to the 1960's, and grazing and recreational uses were identified in the Whistle Creek watershed. Most of the stream channels in the Whistle Creek watershed are classified as fish bearing (S2 to S4 riparian classes) on Weyerhaeuser's 1:30,000 Forest Development plan maps. A tributary of Pettigrew Creek, located in the southern portion of the watershed, is classified as non fish-bearing (S6 class stream). Surficial materials are generally gravely sandy loam to silt loam. Fieldwork was carried out in September and October 1998. watershed assessment, erosion, ECA, riparian |
