Habitat Structure Update
Project Name: Slocan River Rainbow Trout Habitat Enhancement Project
The in-stream habitat structure component of the Project will occur in two phases. Phase One, the demonstration phase, saw the placement of five in-stream structures into the river during February and March 2005.
Monitoring results of rainbow trout utilization surveys conducted annually in late summer since habitat structure installation in 2005 have demonstrated increased use by the target size (over 20 cm) classes of fish over a two year period. Fish counts completed for the four remaining structures (one structure was lost during the spring flood of 2006) by underwater observation have shown that up to 22 rainbow trout in excess of 20 cm fork length have colonized additional trout habitat provided by the structures during summer. The highest counts have been associated with structures located in deep water areas of the channel; observations conducted in late fall have similarly shown that trout utilization declines as adult trout move to defined over-wintering environments elsewhere in the Slocan River or Brilliant Headpond.
In addition to the fish use survey, a recreational use survey was conducted at various locations between Passmore and Winlaw from June until the end of August in 2005 and 2007. River users were interviewed as they floated past the structures and at various take-out points along the river.
Survey findings indicate that the section of river where the habitat structures are located is used considerably less than the sections downstream of the Passmore Bridge. The river users' knowledge of the project was high, with very few respondents not knowing what the structures were for. Further feedback will be obtained from organized river user groups.
Due to the positive results from Phase 1, BEPC is now moving forward with plans for Phase 2 structure installation. An Open House was held on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Passmore Hall to introduce the Phase 2 plans to Valley residents. BEPC will now seek regulatory approval and installation of the remaining 11 structures is planned for the fall of 2008.
Continued monitoring of fish use and changes to the biophysical characteristics of the structures will increase our knowledge of this restoration tool, and through adaptive management practices, the restoration program will improve over time.
Relevant Photos
The in-stream habitat structure component of the Project will occur in two phases. Phase One, the demonstration phase, saw the placement of five in-stream structures into the river during February and March 2005.
Monitoring results of rainbow trout utilization surveys conducted annually in late summer since habitat structure installation in 2005 have demonstrated increased use by the target size (over 20 cm) classes of fish over a two year period. Fish counts completed for the four remaining structures (one structure was lost during the spring flood of 2006) by underwater observation have shown that up to 22 rainbow trout in excess of 20 cm fork length have colonized additional trout habitat provided by the structures during summer. The highest counts have been associated with structures located in deep water areas of the channel; observations conducted in late fall have similarly shown that trout utilization declines as adult trout move to defined over-wintering environments elsewhere in the Slocan River or Brilliant Headpond.
In addition to the fish use survey, a recreational use survey was conducted at various locations between Passmore and Winlaw from June until the end of August in 2005 and 2007. River users were interviewed as they floated past the structures and at various take-out points along the river.
Survey findings indicate that the section of river where the habitat structures are located is used considerably less than the sections downstream of the Passmore Bridge. The river users' knowledge of the project was high, with very few respondents not knowing what the structures were for. Further feedback will be obtained from organized river user groups.
Due to the positive results from Phase 1, BEPC is now moving forward with plans for Phase 2 structure installation. An Open House was held on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Passmore Hall to introduce the Phase 2 plans to Valley residents. BEPC will now seek regulatory approval and installation of the remaining 11 structures is planned for the fall of 2008.
Continued monitoring of fish use and changes to the biophysical characteristics of the structures will increase our knowledge of this restoration tool, and through adaptive management practices, the restoration program will improve over time.
Relevant Photos
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| Excavator places structure into river. | Assembled structure prior to being placed in river. | Workers assist in structure placement. |
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| One of the structure locations on the river. |
A load of root wads used in the structure construction. | Contractor begins to assemble structure. |
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| Heavy equipment moves the structures to the river's edge prior to placement. | Heavy equipment works together to lift the structures into place. | The first habitat structure is visible in the river. |
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