An assessment of these structures later showed that both coho and steelhead parr were using this new habitat. In fact, coho were nine times more abundant under the woody debris than in untreated open areas of the river. Steelhead were twice as abundant.
In 2005, the Georgia Basin Steelhead Recovery Program was funded through BC Hydro’s Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program to assess the habitat and write prescriptions for the installation of large woody debris within the “Corrections” reach of the Alouette River. A copy of this assessment can be found at www.bchydro.com//projects/docs/bridge_river/05.Al.01.pdf.
The Georgia Basin Steelhead Recovery Program was successful in their 2006 application to and the instream work was completed during the summer and fall of 2006. ARMS provided assistance to this team to ensure its success. A link to this report will be provided when the completed.
In 2006, Shaun Korman, Katharine Scotton and Dave Taylor, three BCIT Fish and Wildlife students, conducted further studies to determine the effect of the 1997 and 1998 LWD placement in the upper reaches of the Alouette River. While not conclusive, it would appear through this study that these “aquatic condos” are being well utilized in our river.
A graph of the winter LWD Habitat is below.
Winter Habitat Usage – Comparison of Species
For a review of the power point presentation by Korman, Taylor and Stotten NOTHING PROVIDED
