GMSMON-17 WILLISTON RESERVOIR TRIBUTARY - BC Hydro

May 22, 2012
Report No. 1114920016-R-Rev0-2000 20
GMSMON-17 WILLISTON RESERVOIR TRIBUTARY HABITAT
REVIEW
reached record levels for these creek systems this year. These high flows may have caused the extensive
erosion noted at certain sections along Lamonti Creek.
3.5.2 Factor Ross and Ole Creeks
Four transects were established at both Factor Ross and Ole creeks and consisted of transects FV1-FV4 and
OV1-OV4, respectively. Vegetation surrounding the mouths of each creek included a mixture of large black
cottonwood, hybrid white spruce, sub-alpine fir, paper birch, mountain alder, black twinberry, bunchberry,
twinflower, wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), and extensive moss cover of red-stemmed feathermoss, step
moss, knight’s plume, juniper haircap moss (Polytrichum juniperinum), and pelt lichens (Peltigera sp.).
Blow-down was not quite as extensive at the northern end of Williston reservoir and large riparian trees
(e.g., black cottonwood) were prevalent. All tree quadrants for both Factor Ross and Ole creeks had at least
one tree. The highest number of trees was found in FV3 and OV3 which each had three trees. FV3 had
two lodgepole pine and one paper birch; all Layer 1 trees, and OV3 had three paper birch (one - Layer 1, and
two – Layer 2).
Bank characteristics of Factor Ross Creek appeared more stable than Six Mile and Lamonti creeks as less bank
scouring and erosion was noted along the banks of this creek. The bank near FV3 was very stable and was
composed primarily of rock with the transect starting above a small cliff area. Similarly, along Ole Creek, the
upper reaches of the creek flowed through a steeply incised rocky canyon and bank erosion appeared less
prevalent at the lower reaches. Canopy cover over Factor Ross and Ole creeks was much higher than at
Six Mile or Lamonti creeks with lowest cover found at OV2 (20% cover) and highest at FV1 (60% cover). Copies
of all data cards for vegetation including photo point record forms, tree plots and vegetation transects are found
in Appendix H.
4.0 DISCUSSION
4.1 Fish
4.1.1 Spawner Surveys
Spawning fish, redds or eggs were not observed in any of the creeks during the spawner surveys. Suitable
spawning substrates were observed in the creeks but stream conditions were generally not favourable for
spawning during the surveys. A larger than normal snowpack and heavy precipitation in 2011 resulted in atypical
stream conditions during the spring surveys, with much colder water temperatures and higher discharges than
were expected. These anomalous conditions affected the suitability of the streams for spawning and our ability to
effectively observe and quantify fish spawning activity.
During the first site visit, temperatures varied between 0 and 3.5°C, which is below the preferred spawning
temperature for Arctic Grayling (above 4°C), and much lower than the preferred temperature ranges of rainbow
trout and suckers (10 to 12°C) (McPhail 2009). During the second site visit, water temperatures remained cold
(3 to 5°C) and discharges were very high, nearing freshet conditions, which is not ideal for Rainbow Trout
spawning. High flows and turbid water also impeded visual observations of spawners and redds, made
snorkelling and angling ineffective, and made wading in the streams difficult.