Stave River Water Use Plan - BC Hydro

Stave River Water Use Plan
Monitoring Terms of Reference June 13, 2005
2.3.4 Reporting
Each year, a data report will be prepared to summarise the year’s findings,
including the results of between-year trend analyses that determine whether biomass is
increasing, remaining the same, or decreasing over time. Every second year, fish
species composition and morphometric data collected during the year’s fish survey will
also be presented. Prior to general release, a draft of the data report will be submitted to
the Management Committee for review and comment.
At the conclusion of the monitor a comprehensive report will be prepared from all
of the annual data reports to date that:
a) Re-iterates the objective and scope of the monitor,
b) Presents the methods used for data collection,
c) Describes the compiled data set and presents the results of all analyses, and
d) Discusses the consequences of these results as they pertain to the current WUP
operation, and the necessity and/or possibility for future change.
Like the annual data reports, the Management Committee will review and comment on a
draft of the report prior to its general release.
2.4 Interpretation of Monitoring Program Results
A strong fish biomass response to a slightly more stable reservoir regime will
suggest a strong casual link between the two parameters. Such a response would
support the notion that littoral zone development in Stave Lake is an important
component of fish ecology. It will also create the impetus to seek additional reservoir
stability through operational change or if in conflict with other resource values, it will help
define the scope for alternative mitigation options.
Conversely, a negative response would counter our present understanding of the
Stave Lake ecology and more importantly, signify that one or more key limiting factors
are being exasperated by the operation change. Such a response would most likely
trigger new studies to uncover these yet unknown limiting factors and may potentially
lead to changes in the reservoir operation strategy during the next WUP.
Finally, A neutral response would be inconclusive regarding the benefits to
overall fish biomass, but would at least signify that fish populations are not negatively
impacted by the change in operation. Such a result would unlikely impact reservoir
operations unless results of the littoral zone monitor suggest otherwise.
2.5 Schedule
The fish biomass monitor will begin in year 1 following implementation of the
WUP. Also starting in year 1, but only done every second year, is the fish sampling
needed to help interpret the hydro-acoustic survey data. The monitor will be done
annually until the next WUP review process (10 years). An annual report will be
completed at the end of each year for submission to the Management committee for
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