GMSMON-17 WILLISTON RESERVOIR TRIBUTARY - BC Hydro

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2.1.3 Fish Data Analysis May 22, 2012 Report No. 1114920016-R-Rev0-2000 10 GMSMON-17 WILLISTON RESERVOIR TRIBUTARY HABITAT REVIEW Analysis of spawner survey data was simply counts of redds or spawners by site or habitat type. A hierarchical Bayesian model with habitat strata was proposed in order to estimate abundance of the most common species from the multiple-pass removal-depletion electrofishing survey. However, very small catches of all species during the surveys made the proposed analysis and abundance estimates unfeasible. The very low numbers of fish also did not warrant analyses of life-history characteristics (e.g., length-weight relationships). Therefore, analysis of electrofishing survey data consisted simply of descriptive summaries of counts of fish caught by site and creek. Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE), measured in number of fish per metre of stream length sampled, was calculated for each creek, combining all sample sites. 2.2 Amphibian Surveys The amphibian field surveys were completed according to RIC standards (RIC 1998a and 1998b), where appropriate. Area-based surveys of small ponds and wetlands were completed while at each tributary, and time effort for each search was documented. Data collected included encounters with amphibian egg masses, larvae and metamorphs (sub-adults and adults). Data recorded included species identification, sex (where feasible), developmental stage, and snout-vent length (SVL) (adults only). Identification keys in Corkran and Thoms (1996) were used to verify identification of egg masses and larvae encountered in the field. Encounters were georeferenced and photo-documented. A wildlife permit was applied for through the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations under the Wildlife Act of British Columbia and a permit was obtained on 7 July, 2011 (Permit #PG11- 70683) (copy found in Appendix C). 2.3 Bird Surveys The survey methods for passerine bird species were adapted from the RIC Inventory Methods for Forest and Grassland Songbirds (1999) for variable radius point counts. Each creek was used as a transect as it should reasonably bisect the target habitat (i.e., riparian area) as suggested by Huff et al. (2000) in dealing with the unique challenges of sampling riparian areas. Point count survey locations were established at 200 m intervals along the stream with the first location chosen within what is anticipated to be the treatment area. Survey dates are provided in Table 5. Table 5: Point Count Survey Dates. Location Stations Sampled Time Round Date Six Mile SMPC 1-5 AM 1 05-May-11 Six Mile SMPC 1-5 AM 2 13-May-11 Six Mile SMPC 1-5 AM 3 08-June-11 Lamonti LPC 1-5 AM 1 11-May-11 Lamonti LPC 1-5 AM 2 13-May-11 Lamonti LPC 1-5 AM 3 07-June-11 Factor Ross FRPC 1-6 AM 1 15-May-11 Factor Ross FRPC 1-6 PM 2 15-May-11 Factor Ross FRPC 1-2 PM 3 17-May-11 Ole OPC 1-8 AM 1 16-May-11
May 22, 2012 Report No. 1114920016-R-Rev0-2000 11 GMSMON-17 WILLISTON RESERVOIR TRIBUTARY HABITAT REVIEW Bird surveys were conducted using variable radius point counts for songbirds along riparian areas of test and control streams in order to estimate diversity and abundance of songbird species assemblages before and after treatment. If stream noise interfered with audio detection of calls, then one side was chosen and surveys were conducted a short distance from the stream. Surveys were conducted between sunrise and 10 am; however, if weather was overcast and activity did not notably decrease, surveys were extended beyond this time. Surveys were conducted during suitable weather conditions, where possible, according to RIC 1999 standards. Once a location was selected, the surveyor waited in silence for one full minute for activity to resume (i.e., minimize the effect of the observer). This time was used to record the field UTMs, mark a waypoint, flag and label the plot, and record weather, time, and habitat information on the field form. A north arrow was marked on the form and any other notable features (i.e., the stream) of the site were recorded. All observations and calls were recording during a full five minute period (using the RIC nomenclature for recording position, movement, level of certainty, etc. on the form). All bird observations were recorded (inside or outside of the plot) on the form relative to the observer. Observations made between three to five minutes were also noted. A number of field guides were employed in order to verify observations and calls including the Field Guide to the Birds of North America (National Geographic 1999) as well as Sibley Bird and iBird Pro applications for iTouch and iPhone which provide excellent libraries of bird songs which can be referenced in the field. If a song could not be identified quickly in the field it was recorded with a Zoon H2 handheld recording device and then compared to available song libraries later for identification. Where observations of red or blue listed (or otherwise known listed) passerines were noted during the field visits to the Williston Reservoir study areas, a Ground Inspection Form (BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests 1998) was completed to record habitat attributes where the species was noted. Observations were then provided to the BC Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC). 2.4 Vegetation Surveys Vegetation surveys were conducted over the period of 8 to 12 August, 2011 at Six Mile and Lamonti tributaries, and during the 13 to 18 August, 2011 at Factor Ross and Ole creeks. Paired permanent 15 m (slope distance) line intersect transects were established at each of the 4 tributaries starting from where the creek flowed into the reservoir on either side of the creek and then moving upstream approximately 150 m to establish two more vegetation transects on either side of the bank. General characteristics recorded at the beginning of vegetation transects included: bank characteristics (shape, slope, and stability), overall riparian cover, extent of canopy over the channel, debris cover (CWD), and any other notable vegetation features adjacent to the creek. Transect locations at each tributary are provided in Maps 2 to 5 of Appendix A. Permanent line intersect transects were set up perpendicular to the stream. Starting locations were determined to be as close as possible to where the creek entered the reservoir. Once a location was identified, a piece of rebar was placed at the high water mark (top of bank). The location was georeferenced with a Trimble ProXH GPS and marked with flagging tape. A measuring tape was connected to the stake and laid from the high water mark and another piece of rebar was pounded in at the end of a 15 m transect. The end of each transect was marked in the same manner as the start. Rebar was left in place with the ends painted so that they can be used for future measurements. All vegetation species that intercepted the vertical plane of the transect line were identified and measured. Forbs and bryophytes were measured at ground level, while shrubs and trees were
Page 1 and 2: Peace Project Water Use Plan Willis
Page 3 and 4: Authors May 22, 2012 Report No. 111
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Page 7 and 8: Acknowledgements May 22, 2012 Repor
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APPENDIX D Data Summary from 2011 S
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Date Creek Site APPENDIX D Data Sum
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Location Site Date APPENDIX D Data
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Location Site Date Ole I3 Adult Wes
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Common Name APPENDIX D Data Summary
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Common Name Purple Finch Red-Breast
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APPENDIX D Data Summary from 2011 S
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APPENDIX F Fish Site Cards May 22,
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APPENDIX H Vegetation Survey Forms
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# File: WillstonTribsvs2.R APPENDIX
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Golder Associates Ltd. 220 - 1755 S
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