| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
In 2007, redd counts were employed as part of an annual monitoring of bull trout on the Kaslo River watershed. Redd counts were conducted on September 28 and 29, 2007 on the upper and lower portions of the Kaslo River and Keen Creek, a tributary to the Kaslo River. A total of 591 redds were observed over the ~34 km of bull trout spawning habitat. This averages 23 redds per lineal km on the upper Kaslo River (~20 km), 19 redds per lineal km on Keen Creek (~6 km) and only 2 redds per lineal km on the lower Kaslo River (~8 km). In addition, a total of 80 adult bull trout (43 male, 37 female) were observed and considered to be associated with redds on the upper Kaslo River, 86 adult bull trout (56 male and 30 female) on Keen Creek and 3 adult bull trout (2 male and 1 female) on the lower Kaslo River. Estimated lengths from visual observation indicated male adult bull trout ranged from 60-90 cm, and slightly smaller for females at 55-80 cm. Differences in redd numbers throughout the system suggest that suitable or preferred habitat is abundant in some areas. The upper Kaslo River is dominated by highly complex habitats of lower gradient, cobble-gravel substrates which provide excellent spawning habitat. In contrast, Keen Creek is a glacial system composed of large cobble-boulder substrate which provides limited small gravels suitable for spawning. The upper Kaslo River is paralleled by Highway 31(A) for the entire portion in which bull trout spawn while Keen Creek has been impacted by a small forest service road leading into Kokanee Provincial Park. Ensuring that this habitat is protected from further impacts is critical to bull trout utilizing the Kaslo River. In summary, the 2007 redd survey continues to provide a valuable index on adfluvial bull trout within the Kaslo River system. This data should assist in increasing our understanding of these unique char. |
