Clayton Falls Project Water Use Plan Aquatic - BC Hydro

Clayton Falls WUP Aquatic Productivity Monitoring Program – Year 1, 2005
2. METHODS
The Aquatic Productivity monitoring program required selection of two sample sites for stream, fish and
invertebrate data collection. One site was selected in Reaches 2 (downstream of falls) and another in
reach 3 (upstream of falls). Snorkeling was also completed at each of these sites during 2005 sampling.
2.1 Site Selection
Sample site selection was based on methods devised my MOE (Ptolemy et al. 2006) for similar
fry sampling in the Bella Coola Watershed, with each site area measuring near 100m 2 . A
minimum area of 100m 2 was sought where practical, to standardize results with other studies in
the region (e.g., Ptolemy et al., 2006). Fish density was expressed in fish number per 100 m 2 or
fish per unit (FPU). Sites were fully (reach 2) or partially (reach 3) enclosed. Sites offering
natural physical barriers such as mid-channel boulders were preferred since upstreamdownstream
barrier nets were easier to install, more readily isolating the sample site. Based on
methods described by Ptolemy et al., 2006, anticipated salmonid fry (e.g., Dolly Varden-
Salvelinus malma, and coho- Oncorhynchus kisutch juveniles) were typically bounded by high
velocities in mid stream sections; barrier nets extended well into the mid-stream area of the
channel for the partially enclosed site (Photo 3).
Physical site attributes and habitat types were recorded during site layout and included: habitat
classification (riffle, rapid, cascade, glide, run, or pool) at each site; descriptions of depthvelocity
profile at 0.25-0.5 m intervals perpendicular to flow (with shorter intervals over high
velocity gradients); riparian vegetation; channel confinement; bed material composition;
dominant particle size (Dmax and D90 cm); large woody debris (LWD) content; substrate
embeddedness; site length; site wetted width; estimated available cover; and, maximum depth.
2.2 Fish Collection
Methods described by Ptolemy (pers. com, 2005 and Ptolemy et al. 2006), were used for
sample site set up and sampling. Areas providing safe wading in the swift stream current (e.g.,