Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Bocking, RC and Gaboury, MN. 2002. Framework for the evaluation of restoring historic passage for anadromous fish at BC Hydro Bridge-Coastal generation dams. Prepared for BC Hydro. |
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| Organization | BC Hydro |
| URL | https://www.bchydro.com/bcrp/reports/docs/final_22July.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | BC Hydro commissioned a report by Global Fisheries Consultants (Bengeyfield et al. 2001) to conduct a preliminary assessment on the feasibility of providing anadromous fish passage for facilities in the Bridge River/Coastal Generation System. The Bridge-Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program (BCRP) initiated a peer review of the report in April 2002 to seek further opinions regarding the feasibility of restoring historic fish passage at Bridge-Coastal Region facilities. This report describes the opinions of the independent review as well as recommendations on further analysis of the fish passage feasibility issue. In our review, we noted that major decisions on fish passage feasibility appeared to have been made based on limited information. We identified issues that required further assessment prior to a decision on feasibility. These issues concerned the biological, habitat, operational and domestic water quality constraints discussed by Bengeyfield et al. (2001). Contrary to the Bengeyfield report, we believe that: · There is insufficient biological evidence to support or refute the possible restoration of viable anadromous salmon populations above the dams. · There is considerable evidence to suggest that successful reintroduction of sockeye is quite possible. · There is insufficient evidence to make conclusions regarding the suitability of existing habitat above the dams or the feasibility of habitat enhancement. · The impact of salmon reintroduction on domestic water quality in Coquitlam Reservoir may be minor but needs further analysis that is based on proposed anadromous escapement goals. · Experiments on juvenile behavior and migrations out of the reservoirs would be prudent before concluding that inter-basin diversions will significantly and negatively impact successful reintroduction. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Lower Fraser, Howe Sound & Sunshine Coast |
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| Project status | complete |
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