Clayton Falls Project Water Use Plan Aquatic - BC Hydro

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Clayton Falls WUP Aquatic Productivity Monitoring Program – Year 1, 2005 Site CF2 yielded considerably less fish during similar collection efforts as Site CF1. This was attributed largely to Site CF2 being upstream of Clayton Falls, which provides a natural upstream barrier to fish migration. Only two Dolly Varden were collected during intensive single pass electrofishing at Site CF2 on Septemer 13, 2005. No other fish were observed at this site during the fish collection period. Species Dolly Varden Total Catch Capture Probability Table 5: Fish Collection Data 1 , Site CF 2 Site Pop. Estimate (95% confidence) Avg. weight (g) Total weight (g) Biomass (g/100m 2) Avg. length (mm) Condition Factor 2 1.0 2 9.1 18.2 17.51 102.0 0.729 1- Data assessed through MicroFish 3.0 for Windows Supplementary Snorkelling Unadjusted snorkel counts were completed on September 13 at Site CF1. A single snorkeler, encompassing one half of the stream unit of Reaches 2 and 1 (from the base of the waterfall to tide water and North Bentnick Arm, completed the count. The following numbers of fish were observed: • 64 adult pink salmon; • 29 juvenile coho (fry and parr); and, • 53 Dolly Varden (parr and sub adults). Two person unadjusted snorkel counts were also completed on one half of the stream unit of the sample site at Reach 3 on September 20, resulting in observation of one (1) Dolly Varden sub adult. 3.2 Benthic Invertebrate Sampling Benthic invertebrate sampling in Clayton Creek presented many field and logistical difficulties, ultimately resulting in inadequate data collection for useful ecological monitoring. Original design required placement of gravel and cobble filled wire baskets (Anon., 1997), however; baskets available from BC Hydro were insufficient size and dimension to accommodate substrate of an adequate amount and size for effective invertebrate colonization in the turbulent water of Clayton Creek. The baskets supplied were relatively ‘flat’, measuring 30 cm x 30 cm x 10 cm high (Photo 5), limiting large cobble inclusion and also inhibiting basket placement depth within the stream substrate. It was also noted stream substrate in reach 2 (below the falls) was typically large boulder, cobble and bedrock substrate, making it difficult to place baskets in the stream channel with limited substrate smaller than boulder (>256 mm) present in Reach 2, limiting ability to embed baskets in substrate as described in the available guidance document (Anon., 1997). During Sept 10 basket placement stream flow was relatively high (actual discharge undetermined; Photo 6). Subsequently, on later return to the sample site for routine monitoring by personnel during anticipated low water (November, 8 2005), it appeared some baskets had previously been, or ultimately would be de-watered. Upon consultation with BC Hydro, it was determined to leave the baskets in location for later retrieval. On or around November 10 through 15, 2006 there was a significant rain-on-snow freshet event resulting in high- to Kynoch Resources 9
Clayton Falls WUP Aquatic Productivity Monitoring Program – Year 1, 2005 floodwater levels, damaging and/or destroying half of the invertebrate baskets in each reach (Photo 9). This high water event also damaged a portion of the BC Hydro dam, indicating the severity of the water level, although actual stream discharge data were not determined as part of this project (Photo 10). Benthic Sample Collection Results (November 15, 2005) On November 15 those invertebrate baskets remaining in tact and that could safely be salvaged/collected from the stream were removed and invertebrates archived for potential further program use. In total, three sample baskets were collected from each site (six total); however, most baskets were either somewhat damaged, severely debris laden, or had been transported considerable distance within the stream channel (e.g., >20 m). Samples were collected and preserved in isopropyl alcohol for further program use where required (Photo 11). Observations of samples recovered indicated there were a variety of benthic invertebrates in the substrate recovered; however it appeared the samples had been affected by the high water as amount of substrate, debris and invertebrates varied greatly from sample to sample (Photos 11 and 12). Benthic Sample Collection Results (February 26, 2006) Through consultation with BC Hydro it was determined that basket samplers would again be placed in the stream in mid to late January to capture late winter invertebrate productivity. Owing to weather and logistics, sample baskets were placed in the stream channel in similar location of Reaches 2 and 3 on January 26, 2006. BC Hydro further determined it would be beneficial to have a specialist trained in sample basket recovery and sampling assist Kynoch Resources with this portion of the project. On February 26, Mr. Kiyo Masuda of Limnotek Research & Development Inc. joined Kynoch Resources to recover the sample baskets from Clayton Creek. During this field visit it was determined through Mr. Masuda’s past experience with this type of stream sampling that baskets being utilized at Clayton Creek were not of sufficient depth to allow appropriate invertebrate colonization (owing to limited substrate size, and inability to effectively submerge the flat sampler in the large substrate (e.g., Photos 5 and 6). Baskets of greater depth (approximately 25-30 cm depth) were more commonly used with greater success in other streams for similar projects (K. Masuda, 2006 pers. com.). Field discussion and subsequent discussion with BC Hydro determined it would not be realistically appropriate to use data from the improper sample baskets for this portion of the project. On February 26, 2006, samples were collected and benthic invertebrates discretely separated from substrate using standard techniques developed by Limnotek (K. Masuda, 2006 pers. com.) and again archived for potential further use. Considering deviations from original invertebrate sample collection methods and numerous problems associated with sample collection, it was decided three of the six samples recovered from Reach 2 (February 26) were assessed by taxonomist Micheal Wigle to determine basic species presence, approximate life stages and relative abundance as an alternative to more complex assessment (i.e., that proposed during study design). Mr. Wigle has performed other benthic invertebrate sampling in Clayton Creek using various kick net techniques and has a comprehensive knowledge of what types of invertebrates would typically be present in that stream channel. Kynoch Resources 10
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Clayton Falls Project Water Use Plan Aquatic - BC Hydro

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