Tributaries to the Kettle, West Kettle, and Granby Rivers, Burrell and Boundary Creeks

Transcription

1 Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory 1998 of Tributaries to the Kettle, West Kettle, and Granby Rivers, Burrell and Boundary Creeks WSC: 320- Prepared for: Pope and Talbot Ltd. Boundary Timber Division Box 70 Midway, BC V0H 1H0 Prepared by: Wildstone Resources Ltd Skaha Lake Road Penticton, B.C. V2A 7K2 Approved by: Dwight Shanner, R.P. Bio March 22, 1998

2 PROJECT REFERENCE INFORMATION Project Name FRBC Multi-Yr. Agreement Number Boundary Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory TOM98604 FRBC Activity Number FDIS Project Number FRBC Region 08-KETL Thompson Okanagan Region BCE Region Southern Interior Region - 08 FW Management Unit 8-12, 8-14, 8-15 Forest Region Forest District Forest Licensee and Tenure # First Nations Claim Area Nelson Forest Region Boundary Forest District Pope and Talbot Ltd. (Boundary Timber Div.) Okanagan i

3 WATERSHED INFORMATION Watershed Group Watershed /sub-basin Name Watershed Code (320-) Burrell Knappen Granby Boulder Boundary Wallace Windfall Henderson UTM at Mouth (Zone 11) N E N E N E N E N E Kettle Ingram N E Boomerang Beaverdell St. John Spout N E N E N E Total Stream Length (km) Watershed Stream Area (km2) Order NTS Map (82) TRIM Map (082E.0) ,265 4 E/8 48, 49 38, ,334 4 E/7 E/10 57, 58, 47, 48 BEC Zone ICH, ESSF ICH, ESSF ,943 4 E/2 16, 17 IDF, ICH, MS ,690 4 E/2 26, 27, 16, ,029 4 E/2 E/7 37, 26, ,055 4 E/2 16, 17, 06, ,490 4 E/6, E/ ,066 3 E/6, E/ E/7, E/10 36, 25, 26 55, 56, 45, 46 IDF, ICH, MS IDF, ICH, MS PP, IDF, MS IDF, MS IDF, MS 56, 46 IDF, MS Elev. Range (m) Lakes Air Photos (30 BCC) None ; , Boulder ; , None , Windfall , , None , , 54-47, 24-29; , None , , ; Boomerang , 14-17; None ,77, , None , 80-82, , 159. ii

4 SAMPLING DESIGN SUMMARY Total Number of Reaches 1456 (1997 and 1998 projects) Random Sampling Sites 66 Discretionary Sample Sites 16 Total Sample Sites 82 Field Sampling Dates July through October 1998 CONTRACTOR INFORMATION Contractor: Company: Wildstone Resources Ltd. Address: Skaha Lake Road, Penticton, B.C. V2A 7K2 Phone: Project Manager: Name: Dwight Shanner Phone: Report prepared by: Name: Dwight Shanner Report QA/QC by: Name: Graham Martens Report edited by: Names Dwight Shanner, RPBio Doug Wahl, RPBio Field crew: Names: Troy Rudolph, Jeff Guerin, Kalum Lezard, Neil Baptiste Data entry by: Name: Troy Rudolph GIS Services: Company: Forsite Forest Management Consultants Project manager Address: Darrell Innes nd Street S.W. Salmon Arm, B.C. Phone: (250) Aging sample analysis by: Company: Okanagan Aging Company Tech: Address: Dwight Shanner, Graham Martens Box 824, Summerland, BC Phone: iii

5 DISCLAIMER This product has been accepted as being in accordance with approved standards within the limits of Ministry quality assurance procedures. Users are cautioned that interpreted information on this product developed for the purposes of the Forest Practices Code Act and Regulations, for example stream classifications, is subject to review by a statutory decision maker for the purposes of determining whether or not to approve an operational plan. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Funding for the project was through the Resource Inventory Program of Forest Renewal British Columbia. The author would like to thank Pope and Talbot Ltd. Boundary Timber Division for the opportunity to conduct this Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory project and Geoff Bekker for his continuing support. Thanks to Dave Tesch (BC Environment) for providing comments on the draft report. iv

6 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION Project Scope and Objectives Location Access RESOURCE INFORMATION Ecological Setting Land-use METHODS Planning Existing Fisheries Inventory Sampling Design Inventory Methods Sampling Equipment Gear Selection and Sampling Effort Fish Sampling Habitat Quality Stream Classification Assumed Fish Presence Community Watersheds RESULTS Referencing Data in Tables Regionally Important Fish Species Knappen Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within Knappen Creek Sub-basin Boulder Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within Boulder Creek Sub-basin v

7 4.4. Wallace Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within Wallace Creek Sub-basin Windfall Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within Windfall Creek Sub-basin Henderson Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within Henderson Creek Sub-basin Ingram Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within Ingram Creek Sub-basin Boomerang Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within Boomerang Creek Sub-basin St. John Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within St. John Sub-basin Spout Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Habitat and Fish Distribution within Spout Creek Sub-basin Historic and New Barriers FISH AGE, SIZE AND LIFE HISTORY...23 Knappen Creek Sub-basin...24 Boulder Creek Sub-basin...25 Wallace Creek Sub-basin...26 Windfall Creek Sub-basin...27 Henderson Creek Sub-basin SIGNIFICANT FEATURES AND FISHERIES OBSERVATIONS...29 vi

8 6.1. Fish and Fish Habitat Habitat Protection Concerns Fisheries Sensitive Zones Fish above 20% Gradients Restoration and Rehabilitation Opportunities FISH BEARING STATUS Fish Bearing Reaches Non-Fish Bearing Reaches Follow-up Sampling Required REFERENCES APPENDICES...40 Appendix 1: FDIS Summary and Photographs (contained within this document)...40 Appendix 2: Hardcopy Maps (contained within this document) ATTACHMENTS...42 Attachment 1: Planning Document...42 Attachment 2: Raw Field Notes...43 Attachment 3: Hardcopy Prints of Collected Fish Aging Structures...44 Attachment 4: Photodocumentation...45 Attachment 5: Digital Data...46 Attachment 6: Hardcopy FISS Update Data Forms...47 vii

9 List of Tables Table 1: Study area watersheds and sub-basins...1 Table 2: Criteria used for fish habitat quality references....9 Table 3: Legend for stream referencing tables Table 4: Red-listed or Regionally Important fish species in the Kettle River watershed..12 Table 5: Summary of historic and new barriers to fish migration found in the 1998 Inventory project study area...21 Table 6: Summary of total number of fish by species per sub-basin...23 Table 7: Summary of length-at-age data from fish sampled in the Knappen Creek subbasin Table 8: Summary of length-at-age data from fish sampled in the Boulder Creek subbasin Table 9: Summary of length-at-age data from fish sampled in the Wallace Creek subbasin Table 10: Summary of length-at-age data from fish sampled in the Windfall Creek sub-basin Table 11: Summary of length-at-age data from fish sampled in the Henderson Creek sub-basin Table 12: Summary of data from surveyed fish bearing reaches Table 13: Summary of data from surveyed non-fish bearing reaches...32 Table 14: Summary of follow-up sampling required List of Figures Figure 1: Study area for FRBC Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory, Figure 2: Rainbow trout length/frequency histogram for the Knappen Creek sub-basin..24 Figure 3: Rainbow trout length/frequency histogram for the Boulder Creek sub-basin...25 Figure 4: Rainbow trout length/frequency histogram for the Wallace Creek sub-basin...26 Figure 5: Eastern brook char length/frequency histogram for the Windfall Creek subbasin Figure 6: Eastern brook char length/frequency histogram for the Henderson Creek subbasin viii

10 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Project Scope and Objectives Pope and Talbot Ltd. (Boundary Timber Division) contracted Wildstone Resources Ltd. to undertake Reconnaissance Level (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventories (excluding lakes) within selected operating areas. Members of the Osoyoos Indian Band were hired and trained as resource technicians and assisted in field data collection. The Reconnaissance Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory is a sample-based survey design covering entire watersheds or sub-basins. A study area may include all lakes, stream reaches and connected wetlands within the watershed boundary, as defined from 1:20,000 scale maps and air photos. This inventory is intended to provide information regarding fish species characteristics, distributions and relative abundance as well as stream reach biophysical data for interpretation of habitat sensitivity and capability for fish production. The data collected may also be used to provide stream classifications within priority watersheds as required by the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia (FPC) and to guide resource management decisions within the study area. Pope and Talbot Ltd. have entered into a Multi-Year Agreement (MYA) with Forest Renewal BC. Within this agreement, nine sub-basins in five watersheds were identified for 1:20,000 Fish and Fish Habitat Inventories for 1998/99. These sub-basins include: Knappen, Boulder, Wallace, Windfall, Henderson, Ingram, Boomerang, St. John, and Spout Creeks (Table 1). A total of 82 reaches were surveyed during the months of July through October Table 1: Study area watersheds and sub-basins. Watersheds Sub-basin name/alias Watershed Code Burrell Knappen Granby Boulder Boundary Wallace Windfall Henderson Kettle Ingram Boomerang West Kettle St. John Spout

11 1.2. Location The study area is within Pope and Talbot Ltd. s, Boundary Timber Division operating area. The operating area is situated throughout the Boundary Forest District (BFD), which comprises the southwestern portion of the Nelson Forest Region and contains the Canadian portion of the Kettle River watershed. The Kettle River watershed includes several major basins such as the West Kettle River, Boundary Creek, Granby River, Burrell Creek, Christina Lake and the Kettle River. Selected sub-basins within the BFD, in or near Pope and Talbot s Forest License (FL) and Tree Farm License (TFL) 8, are the focus of this study. Granby and Gladstone Provincial Parks are not included in the study area (Figure 1) Access Penticton (BC Environment Office) to Knappen Creek Penticton to Boulder Creek Penticton to Wallace, Windfall and Henderson Creek Penticton to Ingram Creek Penticton to Boomerang Creek Penticton to St. John and Spout Creeks Take hwy. 97 to Osoyoos, then hwy. 3 to Grand Forks. Travel north on the Old North Fork road to km 48 before the bridge that crosses Burrell Creek. Turn right before the bridge and travel northeast on an unnamed road for 3.8 km to Knappen FSR (this is an unmaintained road). Take hwy 97 to Osoyoos, then hwy. 3 to Grand Forks, heading north on the Old North Fork Road to km 49. Take the left road (Granby FSR) and head northwest. At km 58, turn left on Boulder FSR. Take hwy. 97 to Osoyoos, then highway 3 to Greenwood. Turn left 3 km past Greenwood on Boundary Creek Road. Stay left at 2.4 km turning onto the Boundary FSR. From this point, there are 3 access options: 1) follow Boundary FSR for 2.5 km to Wallace FSR; 2) follow Boundary FSR for 10 km to Windfall FSR; and 3) follow Boundary FSR for 13 km to East Boundary Creek FSR and into Henderson sub-basin. Take hwy. 97 to Osoyoos, then hwy. 3 to Rock Creek. Drive 10 km past Rock Creek to Ingram Mountain Road. Take hwy. 97 to Osoyoos, then hwy. 3 to Rock Creek. Take hwy. 33 to Westbridge from Rock Creek and travel 10 km north past Westbridge on the Christian Valley Road. Take Oulette FSR 5.4 km to the Boomerang FSR to access Boomerang sub-basin. Go up Carmi Road for 13 km to the R201 FSR, then drive until you reach hwy. 33. Turn right on hwy. 33 and travel south to Beaverdell. Turn left onto Beaver Valley Road and travel 6.0 km to a cattleguard and turn on Wallace Lake Road to St. John sub-basin; or travel 11.3 km to Spout FSR. 2

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13 2. RESOURCE INFORMATION 2.1. Ecological Setting The operational areas of Pope and Talbot Ltd, Boundary Timber Division is within the Southern Interior Mountains Ecoprovince. The climate is humid-temperate with air masses from the west losing moisture over the Okanagan Mountains. Biogeoclimatic zones within the sub-basins studied include: Ponderosa Pine Bunchgrass (PPBG); Interior Douglas-fir (IDF); Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH); Montain Spruce (MS); and Engelmann Spruce Subalpine Fir (ESSF). Three of the nine sub-basins studied (St. John, Spout and Boomerang) are located within the Okanagan Highland (Holland 1976; Campbell et al. 1990). The Okanagan Highland, the most southerly of the three highland subdivisions, extends southward from the Coldstream Valley for 136 km to the 49 th parallel and then into Washington State. It lies between the Monashee Mountains on the east and the Thompson Plateau on the west. The Okanagan Highland includes rounded mountains and ridges and gentle open slopes on an upland surface reaching 2,317 m at Big White Mountain. The area is drained and dissected by the Kettle and Okanagan Rivers and their tributaries (Holland 1976). Generally speaking the Okanagan Highlands surficial geology consists of metamorphic rocks (chiefly gneiss) with granitic intrusions. The remaining six sub-basins (Knappen, Boulder, Wallace, Windfall, Henderson and Ingram Creeks) are located in the Southern Columbia Mountains Ecosection (Campbell et al. 1990). In general, jagged peaks characterize the high mountains of the area, separated by deep, steep-sided valleys. Cirque and valley glaciers have left some sharp peaks, and sawtooth ridges in the lower summits. Peaks (below 2,100 m) in the southern range of the ecosection are generally rounded and interrupted by U-shaped valleys. Valley bottom surface terrain consists of tills and fluvioglacial gravels Land-use Resource and land use within the study area watersheds is dominated by forestry and agriculture. All sub-basins have been utilized by ranchers for range use. Mining activities are prevalent in the southeast end of the study area. Other land uses such as recreation and residential development can also be found in the study watersheds. 4

14 3. METHODS 3.1. Planning The reconnaissance inventory process is described in detail within the Reconnaissance Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory Manual (April 1998). Briefly stated, the fisheries inventory follows a phased approach. These phases included: Phase 1 (completed in 1997 for 14 sub-basins) Phase 2 (completed in 1997 for 14 sub-basins) Phase 3 (completed in 1997 for 14 sub-basins) Phase 4 (completed in 1998 for 9 watersheds) Phase 5 (completed in 1998 for 9 watersheds) Phase 6 (completed in 1998 for 9 watersheds) Review and analyze existing data. Identify and characterize all stream reaches and lakes within the watershed by map and air photo analysis. Develop a field project plan for data collection, this plan includes results of the sampling design protocol for the project area. Conduct the field inventory following the project plan to 1998 standards. Compile and enter data into standard database (update to FDIS V6.5b) Produce final reports and maps to 1998 standards Existing Fisheries Inventory In consultation with the Forestry Superintendent (J.S. Graham), a priority list of watersheds requiring fisheries inventory information was established by Pope and Talbot Ltd. This review was in concert with the 1997/2002 Forest Development Plan (FDP), and reviewed by the Fisheries Inventory Specialist, Southern Interior Region. Existing fisheries information for the priority list of streams was collected through several sources including: Fisheries inventory reports held at BC Environment, Okanagan Sub-Region; Fisheries Information Summary System (FISS); and Fisheries inventory data collected previously by Ministry of Forests, the forest licensees, Wildstone, and other consultants. Following the review of all existing fisheries information (Phase 1) and identifying, characterizing all stream reaches and lakes within the watershed (Phase 2), Wildstone 5

15 proceeded with data analysis (channel pattern, stream gradient and reach length). The statistical sampling design protocol was completed in Phase Sampling Design The reconnaissance inventory process is intended to cover entire watersheds. The results of site sampling are then extended allowing resource managers to make inferences regarding fish distributions and populations in remaining, non-sampled reaches within the project area. Once data entry into FDIS was complete, the sampling design provided Reach Totals, Sample Size and Preferred Sample Reaches. The FDIS random sampling program selected a total of 66 sites, within the 9 sub basins studied. An additional 14 discretionary sites were added to address proposed forest development plan activities and for biological purposes. An additional 2 sites were surveyed in 1998 while undertaking surveys for a total of 82 sites. A meeting in Kelowna (1997) between the Fisheries Inventory Specialist, Wildstone and Pope and Talbot Ltd. was initiated to review the sampling design submitted. After all parties were in agreement with the objectives of the sampling plan, fieldwork was initiated for the A review of the sampling sites was undertaken again in 1998 prior to field sampling. No aerial video was undertaken within this study due to the extensive road network that allows good access. Lakes were not surveyed in this project as agreed to by BC Environment and Pope and Talbot Ltd Inventory Methods Field inventory work began in July 1998 and was completed in October The field data collection portion of the FRIM is composed of the following parameters: Stream channel measurements; Fish sampling; Feature identification; Description of water conditions; Morphology characterization; Habitat quality assessment; Wildlife observations; and Photography. 6

16 These parameters were captured using Site Cards and Fish Collection Forms (Appendix 1). For a detailed description of how the information was collected, refer to Chapter 4 of the FRIM manual Sampling Equipment Conmet 1 Conductivity meter (accurate to 1us/cm) Hanna instruments Phep3 adjustable ph meter Suunto clinometer Silva Ranger compass 50 m eslon measuring tape Alcohol thermometer Spring scales (0-200g) Camera (35 mm with auto focus and disposable camera as backup) Smith-Root electrofishers (12B and 15C) and dip nets Four-wheel drive vehicles All-terrain vehicle Programmable radios, first aid kit, safety flares, life vests Gear Selection and Sampling Effort Fish sampling methods involved electrofishing with a minimum sampling effort based on the length of stream fished and the time considered appropriate for the conditions of the stream. The minimum sample site length was 100 m or 10 times the channel bankfull width, whichever was greater. All habitat types were sampled within the site. In certain instances, professional judgment was used to determine electrofishing survey lengths based on sensitive life stages of fish (e.g. fry and spawners) encountered or the possibility of additional fish species being located. In all cases, electrofishing was conducted using a Smith-Root model 15C or 12B POW Electrofisher with a 25 cm anode ring and 3 m rat tail cathode. Duty cycles varied between % with cycling periods of Hz, depending upon fish size and species expected to be found within the sample site as well as stream conductivity levels. Electrofishing was undertaken provided the water temperatures were greater than 4 0 C and conductivity was above 30 us/cm. 7

17 Two sampling methods are required for the standard FRIM sample site. However, in some cases, the use of two sampling methods may not have been appropriate and the second sampling method was not applied. Examples of situations where this may be the case include: Very small streams where it could be demonstrated that the range of habitats could be effectively sampled using a single method (electrofishing); Field situations where logistically the use of two sampling methods causes significant time/cost implications (helicopter surveys); and Where the number of fish captured in a sample site exceed the requirements of a reconnaissance survey (vast number of juvenile fish), use of professional judgment to limit the sampling effort to reduce the impact on fish populations Fish Sampling Fish captured were identified by species using the Field Key to the Freshwater Fishes of British Columbia, RIC (1996) and species identification codes used within this report are consistent with the Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory Standards and Procedures (RIC, 1998). Individual fish data collected included: length (Salmonid fork length (FL) and non-salmonids standard length (ST) in mm); wet weight (to the nearest 1.0g); sex and maturity if possible; and age structures (scales) were taken from selected samples of sport fish 1 captured greater than 50 mm in length. Aging results can be found in Section 4 of this report Habitat Quality Subjective values of habitat conditions found within each survey site were used to rate habitat types as poor, fair or good (Table 2). Holding pool criteria was determined for streams accessible to adfluvial fish populations (Johnston and Slaney, 1996). However, an adaptation to interior BC streams and stream resident fish was made to more accurately assess holding/overwintering pool requirements. A measurement of 0.6 m in depth for pools was used to represent good habitat. 1 Fish species as defined by the FPC of B.C. 8

18 Table 2: Criteria used for fish habitat quality references. Fish Habitat Type RB 1 EB 1 WCT 1 Rearing Average Water Depth 2 : Spawning 0 spawning sites = None 1 spawning site = Poor <10 cm = Poor cm = Fair >35 cm = Good Spawning site 2 : Gravel size 3 (6-52 mm = Good) 2 spawning sites = Fair Water depth (20-60 cm = Good) 3 spawning sites = Good Water vel. 3 (48-91 cm*s-1 = Good) Spawning area (>0.10 m 2 = Good) Overwintering Residual Pool depth 2 : <30 cm = Poor cm = Fair >60 = Good Cover Cover 2 : <10 % = Poor = Fair >35 = Good 1 Site card data, for a 100 m survey. 2 Keeley and Slaney, Slaney and Zaldokas, 1997 Average Water Depth 2 : <10 cm = Poor cm = Fair >40 cm = Good Spawning site 2 : Gravel size 3 (6-52 mm = Good) Water depth (20-60 cm = Good) Water vel. 3 (20-35 cm*s -1 = Good) Spawning area (>0.10 m 2 = Good) Residual Pool depth 2 : <30 cm = Poor cm = Fair >60 = Good Cover 2 : <10 % = Poor = Fair >35 = Good Average Water Depth 2 : <10 cm = Poor cm = Fair >40 cm = Good Spawning site 2 : Gravel size 3 (6-102 mm = Good) Water depth (20-60 cm = Good) Water vel. 3 (11-72 cm*s-1 = Good) Spawning area (>0.10 m 2 = Good) Residual Pool depth 2 : <30 cm = Poor cm = Fair >60 = Good Cover 2 : <10 % = Poor = Fair >35 = Good 9

19 3.6. Stream Classification For the definition of a reach or stream refer to the Fish-stream Identification Guidebook, August 1998 (BC Environment and Ministry of Forests). For the purposes of meeting FPC requirements, preliminary or confirmed stream classifications were determined for all stream reaches surveyed. Criteria used to establish stream classifications, including channel width, gradient and fish presence or absence, were obtained from the Operational Planning Regulations, Riparian Management Area Guidebooks. Those reaches that meet the definition of a stream were electrofished to determine fish presence or absence. The Fish-stream Identification Guidebook requires at least one acceptable [to statutory decision makers] fish inventory to adequately determine that no fish inhabit the reach. If no fish are captured in the initial sample site, a professional judgment was made as to whether and how much further fish sampling should be conducted. Where no fish were captured, a second site of length equal to 10 bankfull channel widths, or 100 lineal meters, whichever was greater, in an additional portion of the reach was sampled, again covering all habitat types. If rare species or low density populations were anticipated, additional sampling of 500 lineal m (or the remainder of the reach if the total reach length is <500m or the remainder of water habitat) was undertaken. Therefore, where no fish were captured within the stream survey length (above a confirmed fish barrier), the reach is given a stream classification of S5 or S6. If the stream reach has been determined as a non fish-stream, consistent with the Fishstream Identification Guidebook, the classification will appear as an S5 or S6 and the supporting data will be provided Assumed Fish Presence Where the average stream gradients is less than 20% and there are no known barriers to fish movement from a fish-stream, fish presence is assumed Community Watersheds Stream classification is also dependent on whether or not the stream lies entirely or partially within a Community Watershed. All streams within a Community Watershed receive the same classification as fish-streams (S1 to S4). Community Watershed status of priority streams was determined from Community Watershed maps obtained from BC Environment. 10

20 4. RESULTS Information regarding each site can be found within Appendix 1 (FDIS Summary and Photographs) which displays the FDIS Site Cards, associated Fish Forms, and various photographs taken at each site Referencing Data in Tables The streams surveyed are presented in numerical order by watershed code for each sub basin. For each sub-basin, Watershed Overview and, Habitat and Fish Distribution are presented. Stream reaches surveyed within a watershed may be described in up to six tables. These tables include: summary of new and historic barriers, summary of length-at-age data, summary of data for fish bearing reaches, summary of data from non fish bearing Reaches and summary of follow-up sampling required. Abbreviations used to report information within these tables are shown in Table 3. Table 3: Legend for stream referencing tables. Abbreviation Description Abbreviation Description RB Rainbow trout LNC Long nose dace NFP No fish present CAS Prickly sculpin EB Eastern brook char CC Sculpin BT Bull trout MW Mountain whitefish KO Kokanee NFC No fish caught WCT Westslope cutthroat trout FSR Forest service road 2WD/FT Two wheel drive and Helicopter Helicopter access foot access CW Community Watershed NA No available information NS Not sampled/surveyed NVC No Visible Channel NC Not classified NCD Non-Classified Drainage 11

21 Regionally Important Fish Species In addition to freshwater game fish, there are 2 Red-listed and 4 Regionally Important fish species known to be present in the Kettle River Watershed. These species are listed in Table 4 and their known distributions within the Boundary Forest District are described in the watershed overview descriptions. Several fish species that are not defined as fish under the FPC, are known to exist at various locations in the watershed but are not included in the survey unit descriptions. Table 4: Red-listed or Regionally Important fish species in the Kettle River watershed. Common Name Scientific Name Status Speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus Red-listed (1) Umatilla dace Rhinichthys umatilla Red-listed (1) Chiselmouth Acrochetlus alutaceus Regionally Important (Blue-Listed) (2) Mottled sculpin Cottus bairdi Regionally Important (Blue-Listed) (2) Shorthead sculpin Cottus confusus Regionally Important (Blue-Listed) (2) Largescale sucker Catostomus macrocheilus Regionally Important (2) 1 Species found on the Red List are legally designated as either threatened or endangered under the Wildlife Act (1982) or, they are being considered as potential designates for such status. Endangered species are any indigenous (native) species threatened with imminent extinction or extirpation throughout all or a significant portion of their range in BC. Threatened species are indigenous species that are likely to become endangered in BC if factors affecting their vulnerability do not become reversed. 2 Under the FPC, Regionally Important Fish are those that occur outside their principal range, or are of specific scientific interest, or warrant protection to maintain biological diversity. These may include Blue-listed species which are species that are not threatened but are particularly at risk. The Blue-list includes species with low or declining numbers, and which occur at the fringe of their range or in restricted areas. Population viability is a concern for Blue-listed species, as demonstrated by significant current or predicted downward trends in population numbers or density and/or significant current or predicted downward trends in habitat suitability that would further reduce the species existing distribution. 12

22 4.2. Knappen Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview The Knappen Creek sub-basin drains southwest from Gladstone Park into the Burrell River. Knappen Creek is a 4 th order watershed draining an area of 3,265 hectares and ranges in elevation from 680 m to over 1870 m above sea level. The Burrell River is known to contain rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and some headwater lakes are stocked with westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi). Cutthroat trout are known to have migrated downstream from these lakes towards the Burrell River. No Red or Blue-Listed species have been recorded for the Burrell River and no existing information was found for Knappen Creek Habitat and Fish Distribution within Knappen Creek Sub-basin Knappen Creek has a major that forks approximately 2 km upstream from the confluence. A total of 8 sites were surveyed within Knappen sub-basin. These sites were located on the mainstem, three major tributaries, and two small tributaries. Rainbow trout were found at 3 sample sites, no fish were caught at 3 sites, and no visible channels were found at 2 sites. Rainbow trout were captured in Reach 4 of Knappen Creek although Reaches 5 and 6 were dry at the time of survey. No barriers to fish were observed within Reaches 5 or 6 and are suspected to support fish at periods of higher flows. Rainbow trout were captured near the confluence of Knappen Creek as well as two sites upstream of a 1.8 m high falls. It is likely that Knappen Creek supports a resident population of rainbow trout that is isolated from the Burrell River. One of the sites supporting fish was a large surveyed within Reach 1 (ILP 826). No further upstream information is known. Another major to the north of the mainstem (ILP 822) has a large wetland at the headwaters and was surveyed for 600 m with no fish caught. No barriers to fish were identified within the surveyed area. It is possible that Reach 1, a moderately steep reach, may contain a barrier. The other (ILP 841) was dry at the time of the survey with an average stream gradient of 25%. This is classified as a non-fish stream. Two small tributaries (ILP 815 and 837) were classified as non-visible channels. 13

23 4.3. Boulder Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview The Boulder Creek sub-basin drains west into the Granby River. Boulder Creek is a 4 th order watershed draining an area of 3,334 hectares and ranges in elevation from 820 m to 2240 m above sea level. Boulder Creek is lake headed and drains from the west into the Granby River. Rainbow trout, westslope cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are known to exist throughout the Granby River. Speckled dace (Red-Listed) are known to occur in the lower reaches of the Granby River and chiselmouth (Blue-Listed) have been reported near Grand Forks. Boulder Lake, located at the headwaters of Boulder Creek, is stocked and is used by the local communities for recreational fishing. No other information was found for Boulder Creek Habitat and Fish Distribution within Boulder Creek Sub-basin Boulder Creek has a long entrenched mainstem that forks in to two sub-basins in the headwaters. A total of 8 survey sites were undertaken within Boulder Creek sub-basin with rainbow trout caught at 3 sites, no fish caught at 4 other sites, and no visible channel was found at 1 site. Reaches downstream of the lake at the headwaters were found to contain rainbow trout (ILP 797 and Boulder Creek up to Reach 4) Upstream of Reach 4 on Boulder Creek, no sample sites were undertaken. Four tributaries near the headwaters of Boulder Creek were found to be non-fish streams based on barriers located downstream of sampling sites (ILPs 780, 792, 801, and 806). ILP 760 (Reach 1) had no fish caught while sampling the stream, although no barriers to fish were identified. It is likely that this is a non-fish stream due to the high gradient. A survey downstream of the sample site is required to confirm that a barrier prevents upstream migration of fish. 14

24 4.4. Wallace Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview The Wallace Creek sub-basin drains east into the Boundary Creek. Wallace Creek is a 4 th order watershed draining an area of 3,943 hectares and ranges in elevation from 810 m to over 1510 m above sea level. Wallace Creek drains from the west into the Boundary Creek. Eastern brook char (Salvelinus fontinalis) are known to inhabit the lower reaches of Boundary Creek while rainbow trout exist throughout the stream, in headwater lakes and in many tributaries. No existing information was found for Wallace Creek Habitat and Fish Distribution within Wallace Creek Sub-basin A total of 10 sample sites were undertaken within Wallace Creek sub-basin. Eastern brook char and rainbow trout were captured within the mainstem of Wallace Creek and within two tributaries to Wallace Creek (ILP 505 and 523). ILP 523 had no fish captured upstream of Reach 1, although no permanent barriers to prevent upstream migration of fish were found. Five (5) tributaries (ILPs 510, 517, 1518, 538, and 543) had no fish caught and one was a non-visible channel (ILP 503). The five tributaries to Wallace Creek have a moderate gradient with no permanent barriers to fish found during the survey. The upstream limit of fish is not known within Wallace Creek sub-basin. Reach 4 is known to support eastern brook char and the furthest upstream reach was observed visually to have good water flow. Wallace Creek is entrenched within the surrounding landforms with the exceptions of some of the sampled tributaries that are also entrenched lower gradient streams Windfall Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview This sub-basin is a 4 th order drainage that is entrenched almost to the headwaters where a plateau is the collecting area for the sub-basin. Windfall Creek is lake headed and drains from the west into the Boundary Creek. Windfall Creek drains an area of 5,690 hectares and ranges in elevation from 840 m to 1500 m above sea level. No existing information was found for Windfall Creek including the headwaters lake. However, eastern brook char are known to inhabit the lower reaches of Boundary Creek 15

25 while rainbow trout have been found throughout Boundary Creek, in headwater lakes, and in many tributaries Habitat and Fish Distribution within Windfall Creek Sub-basin Nineteen (19) sample sites were undertaken within Windfall Creek sub-basin. Eastern brook char were captured at 5 sample sites, no fish were captured at 7 sample sites and 7 sample sites were non-visible channels. Eastern brook char were captured within Windfall Creek Reaches 1, 3 and 4. The upstream extent of fish is unknown. The outlet of the headwater lake was sampled and found no fish. The outlet channel width is <1 m wide with poor habitat for fish. The headwater lake (unnamed) had emergent vegetation across the surface. Eastern brook char were found within ILP 598 and 613. These reaches were low gradient reaches and directly connected to fish bearing reaches of Windfall Creek. Two major tributaries (ILPs 524 and 585) flowing north into Windfall Creek, are likely non-fish streams although further sampling is required. Two surveys undertaken upstream of Reach 1 on ILP 524, found no fish. It is likely that a barrier to fish is located within Reach 1 that prevents upstream fish migration. The other major, ILP 585 had three tributaries sampled (ILP 592, 593, and 690) that found no fish. It is possible that a barrier to upstream fish is located within Reach 2 of ILP Henderson Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview This sub-basin is a 4 th order drainage (5,029 hectares) that is fairly confined to the headwaters within a steep sided valley. The watercourse has a long mainstem with two major tributaries to the south and two equal tributaries that are the headwaters of the stream. The Henderson Creek sub-basin drains east into the Boundary Creek. Henderson Creek ranges in elevation from 880 m to over 1790 m above sea level. No existing information was found for Henderson Creek. The closest know fish presence is within Boundary Creek where eastern brook char and rainbow trout have been found. 16

26 Habitat and Fish Distribution within Henderson Creek Sub-basin Sixteen (16) sample sites were undertaken within Henderson Creek sub-basin. Five (5) sample sites were found to have fish, 7 sample sites had no fish caught, and no visible channels were found at 4 sample sites. Rainbow trout and eastern brook char were captured within the mainstem of Henderson Creek up to Reach 5 and within a major from the south. The upstream extent of fish within Henderson Creek is located 100 m downstream of Reach 7 at a large cascade. Reach 7 and its tributaries were dry at the time of the survey and therefore unable to support fish. One to the south of Henderson Creek (ILP 672) was sampled within Reach 1 and no fish were captured, although, no barriers to fish were found. A cascade was located at the break between Reaches 1 and 2 and was found to be a barrier to fish. Further sampling indicated that reaches upstream of Reach 1 are non-fish reaches. The other to the south of Henderson Creek (ILP 10688) was sampled near the mouth and eastern brook char were captured. While traveling to the headwaters, a 10 m high falls was observed upstream of the sample site. The falls is likely the upstream extent of fish. A sample site on a to ILP10688 produced no fish. Further surveys should be undertaken directly upstream of the 10 m falls to confirm fish presence/absence. Five (5) sample sites undertaken on small tributaries flowing down from the valley walls to Henderson Creek were found to have non-visible channels or were too steep to support fish. Three (3) other tributaries where no fish were caught and no barriers to fish were found, are assumed fish streams. However, these streams would have marginal habitat for fish during times of higher flow Ingram Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Ingram Creek was the southernmost drainage studied and is situated within the driest biogeoclimatic subzones in the study area. Ingram Creek sub-basin has a major (West Ingram Creek) which flows into Ingram Creek, approximately 2 km upstream from its confluence with the Kettle River. Ingram Creek sub-basin flows south into the Kettle River and drains an area of 6,055 hectares. Ingram Creek is a 4 th order watershed and ranges in elevation from 580 m to 1600 m above sea level. Rainbow trout, brown trout (Salmo trutta), eastern brook char, mountain whitefish, largescale sucker and speckled dace are known to exist in the mainstem of the Kettle 17

27 River. Chiselmouth have also been reported in the Kettle River near Midway, BC. No existing information was found for Ingram Creek Habitat and Fish Distribution within Ingram Creek Sub-basin Ingram Creek sub-basin was surveyed at 10 locations for reconnaissance fish inventory. Rainbow trout were found at 2 sample sites, no fish were caught at 5 sample sites, and three sample sites were classified as non-visible channels. Rainbow trout and eastern brook char were found within Reach 1 of Ingram Creek and rainbow trout were found within Reach 2. No fish were caught within Reach 3 although it is possible that a barrier to upstream fish migration would be found within the lower section of Reach 3. Rainbow trout were found within Reach 1.1 of West Ingram Creek. A long cascade at the beginning of Reach 1.2 was found to be the upstream extent of fish. Three sample sites upstream of this barrier found no fish and all reaches upstream of Reach 1.2 are classified as non-fish reaches. Three (3) small tributaries to Ingram Creek had no visible channel found during the survey. Ingram Creek sub-basin is located in a dry area and it is likely that many of the small tributaries shown on TRIM mapping would be non-visible channels Boomerang Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Boomerang sub-basin is a 3 rd order watershed that is entrenched for most of its length with a small plateau at the headwaters. Boomerang Creek flows into the Kettle River and has one that is lake headed (Boomerang Lake). Boomerang Creek drains an area of 1,490 hectares and ranges in elevation from 640 m to 1250 m above sea level. No existing information was found for Boomerang Creek or Boomerang Lake. The mainstem of the Kettle River is the closest known location of rainbow trout, brown trout, eastern brook char, mountain whitefish, largescale sucker and speckled dace. Chiselmouth have also been reported in the Kettle River near Midway, BC Habitat and Fish Distribution within Boomerang Creek Sub-basin Four (4) sample sites were surveyed within Boomerang Creek sub-basin. Three sample sites found no fish and one sample site had a non-visible channel. Reach 1 and 2 of Boomerang Creek were not surveyed and Reach 3 had no fish caught within a 600 m 18

28 long survey. The steep entrenched characteristics of Reach 2 may contain a barrier to upstream fish migration. The lake headed (ILP 724) was sampled near the lake and was dry at the time of the survey. The stream has a channel width of approximately 0.8m with fair to poor fish habitat. The lake had weeds surrounding the shoreline with a large open water surface and may be deep enough to support fish. The other sampled (ILP 735) was dry at the time of the survey and would have poor habitat available for fish during times of higher flows St. John Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview St. John sub-basin is a 3 rd order watershed with a small plateau at the headwaters. The stream has two major tributaries and flows south into Beaverdell Creek. St. John Creek watershed drains an area of 1,066 hectares and ranges in elevation from 880 m to over 1480 m above sea level. Rainbow trout and mountain whitefish are known to inhabit the West Kettle River and Beaverdell Creek with rainbow trout being common in many of the river s tributaries. Speckled dace have also been reported near Beaverdell. No existing information was found for St. John Creek Habitat and Fish Distribution within St. John Sub-basin Five (5) sample sites were undertaken within St. John sub-basin. Three (3) sample sites had no fish caught and 2 sample sites had no visible channels. No fish were caught at sample sites within Reaches 2 or 3 of St. John Creek. However, the fish habitat within Reach 2 was rated fair during low flows and would be rated as good at higher flows. It is likely that a barrier to upstream migration of fish is present within Reach 1. One major of St. John Creek (ILP 454) had a channel width of 0.7 m with low flows and a steep gradient. Upstream of Reach 1 no channel was found and the stream was classified as a non-visible channel. The second surveyed to St. John Creek was determined to be a non-visible channel. Based on survey information smaller tributaries shown on TRIM mapping are likely to be non-visible channels within this small dry watershed. 19

29 4.10. Spout Creek Sub-basin Sub-basin Overview Spout Creek is a 3 rd order sub-basin with one major (East Spout Creek) that joins approximately 1.5 kms upstream from the confluence. The Spout Creek sub-basin drains south into Beaverdell Creek. Spout Creek drains an area of 709 hectares and ranges in elevation from 980 m to 1460 m above sea level. No existing information was found for Spout Creek. Rainbow trout and mountain whitefish are known to inhabit the West Kettle River and Beaverdell Creek with rainbow trout being common in many of the river s tributaries. Speckled dace have also been reported near Beaverdell Habitat and Fish Distribution within Spout Creek Sub-basin Two (2) sample sites were undertaken within Spout Creek sub-basin. The first site found rainbow trout within Reach 2 of Spout Creek. No further sampling was undertaken on Spout Creek and the upstream extent of fish is unknown. East Spout Creek was surveyed in Reach 2 and no fish were caught within a 600 m long survey. Reach 1 of east Spout Creek is not a steep reach, although, this reach should be investigated to determine the upstream extent of fish presence Historic and New Barriers Table 5 summarizes the obstructions found during the survey of the 9 sub-basins in No historic barriers have been recorded within the sub-basins surveyed and all obstructions were found during surveys. Obstructions that are barriers to fish are discussed within Section 4 and the details of that barrier are tabulated within Table 5. 20

30 Table 5: Summary of historic and new barriers to fish migration found in the 1998 Inventory project study area. Local Name Watershed Code ILP TRIM Map Site Reach Barrier Type Height of Barrier (m) Length Verified Source of in Field Barrier (m) Knappen Creek E F Y New Boulder Creek E C Y New Boulder Creek E C 7 6 Y New Boulder Creek E C Y New Boulder Creek E F 4 1 Y New Wallace Creek E C Y New Wallace Creek E CV Y New Wallace Creek E C Y New Windfall Creek E CV 2 0 Y New Windfall Creek E C 1 5 Y New Windfall Creek E C Y New Windfall Creek E.027 N/A 2 C Y New 21

31 Local Name Watershed Code ILP TRIM Map Site Reach Barrier Type Height of Barrier (m) Length Verified Source of in Field Barrier (m) Windfall Creek E C Y New Henderson Creek E.027 N/A 6 C Y New Henderson Creek E F Y New Henderson Creek E C Y New Henderson Creek E.027 N/A 2 F 10 0 Y New W Ingram Creek E C Y New Boomerang Creek E C Y New St. John Creek E C Y New 22

32 5. FISH AGE, SIZE AND LIFE HISTORY All fish sampled within the study area appeared to be resident fish rearing within the sampled reaches. A total of 129 eastern brook char and 75 rainbow trout were captured or observed during surveys and no non-game fish were found (Table 6). The distinction between resident and adfluvial fish captured was made from the size of the fish and the growth rates found (fish scale samples). Length/frequency histograms (Figures 2 through 6) and summary of length-at-age tables (Tables 7 through 11) are presented for sub-basins where sufficient data was collected. Ideally, at least 30 fish are required to show the distributions of age cohorts (Begon and Mortimer 1986). Thus, the target of thirty scale samples was set for each major watershed (Boundary, Grandby, Kettle and Beaverdell). A histogram and summary table is presented for sub-basins where appropriate. Boomerang, St. John, and Spout watersheds, had either no fish collected, or insufficient data to enable histogram and summary table presentation. Table 6: Summary of total number of fish by species per sub-basin Sub-Basin Total Fish (captured and Number of Fish Sites Fish Captured / Site observed) Knappen 12 RB 3 4 Boulder 16 RB Wallace 33 EB 6 RB Windfall 40 EB 12 RB Henderson 54 EB 11 RB Ingram 2 EB 14 RB Boomerang St. John Spout 4 RB

33 5.1. Knappen Creek Sub-basin There were 12 rainbow trout captured during the inventory project within Knappen Creek sub-basin. This is not enough data to distinguish age class curves in the length/ frequency histogram (Figure 2), although the data does show some age class trends. Rainbow trout aging analysis, from 6 scale samples taken within Knappen Creek sub basin, are shown within Table 7. Due to the lack of fish captured at sample sites, the data does not adequately represent the minimum and maximum lengths for each age class. 5 4 N=12 Number of Fish Length of Fish (mm) Figure 2: Rainbow trout length/frequency histogram for the Knappen Creek sub-basin. Sub-basin Knappen Creek Watershed Code Table 7: Summary of length-at-age data from fish sampled in the Knappen Creek subbasin Spp. Age # of Fish Mean Length (mm) RB Range of Lengths (mm) RB RB