Later in July, Streamkeepers training was completed by Katzie First Nation youth and Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) volunteers and staff. The training was hosted at Coho Creek in Maple Ridge. Coho Creek is one of the many streams and creeks that have returning salmon species, which allowed for the ideal environment to train folks. We’re grateful for the training provided by the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation.
To further the Habitat Monitoring, ARMS staff and volunteers had the opportunity to learn about photo-point monitoring camera skills in mid August. This technique is used to monitor changes in habitat over different seasons. This training provides staff and volunteers with the skills to track the changes in this channel and make notes for future enhancement.
An integral part of the habitat monitoring training was to test the water quality. Our first full day of water testing was conducted at the end of August. We tested the water in the slough and compared it to that of the channel. The quality of the water in the slough was between poor and acceptable water quality, while the channel read an acceptable quality. Dissolved oxygen levels in the Local Control Site were much lower, and largely within the guideline range, likely due to oxygen consumption by decaying organic material, resulting from prolific plant growth.