Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Gaboury, M and Robichaud, D. 2012. Effectiveness monitoring of Stoltz Bluff stabilization works, Cowichan River - Final Report. Prepared for BC Conservation Foundation.
Organization BC Conservation Foundation
URL http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/acat/public/viewReport.do?reportId=41251
Abstract/Description or Keywords The impact of fine sediments on salmonid egg incubation habitat in the Cowichan River has been an ongoing concern among members of the Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable. The concern relates to the impact of fine sediments, typically generated from excessive bank erosion, infiltrating the interstices of the riverbed spawning gravel and reducing egg-to-fry survival. Although sediment inputs from naturally eroding banks are apparent along the mainstem, several sites stand out as generating large volumes of fine sediments to the river. For example, Stoltz Bluff has been identified as the most significant single source of fine sediments to the river (LGL and KWL 2005; KWL 2005). The sediment contribution from Stoltz Bluff was estimated at ~10,000-28,000 m3 annually between 1993 and 2004. Suspended sediment from Stoltz Bluff also represented from 35-45% of the total suspended load measured at Vimy Road, ~15 km further downstream. To address this significant sediment source, rehabilitation measures were constructed at Stoltz Bluff in 2006 to stabilize the toe of the Bluff thereby reducing sediment inputs from this chronic erosion site.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island South
Sub-watershed if known Cowichan
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email