STREAM CLASSIFICATION AND MAPPING. Prepared For. MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. Menzies Bay Division BOX 6000, Campbell River V9W 5E1.

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1 STREAM CLASSIFICATION AND MAPPING OF STREAMS IN MENZIES AND OYSTER BAY Prepared For MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. Menzies Bay Division BOX 6000, Campbell River V9W 5E1 September 1998 a a North Island Biological Consultants 7324 Pine Drive, Box 2437, Port Hardy, BC. VON 2P0 Phone/Fax: (250) Cell: (250)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction... 2 Survey Methodology Physical Descnphon... 4 Menzies Bay... 4 Oyster Bay... 7 Results and Discussion Menzies Bay Oyster Bay... 14

3 Stream Classification and Mapping of Streams in Menzies and Oyster Bay Introduction North Island Biological Consultants Ltd. was contracted by MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. to perform stream assessments on streams located in the Menzies Bay and Oyster Bay area. Stream 2, located in Menzies Bay directly north of the MacMillan Bloedel dry land sort facility (Figure I), empties into Menzies Bay itself and is of some concern as it flows through the middle of a proposed cutblock (LH13). Previous surveys of the lower portions of stream 2 indicated populations of Coho salmon (Onchorhynchus kisutch) and sculpin (Cottus spp.). Stream 5, located in Oyster Bay (Figure I), has previously been identified as fish positive. Concern was raised over the status of streams in block 1105, due to a possible connection with stream 5 via roadside ditches. A barrier on a nearby stream was looked at as well to establish if it is, in actuality, a barrier. Stream assessments were performed and fish presence was examined in all streams surveyed. Survey Methodology David Schmidt and Danita Propp examined the area on August 22, Physical parameters such as stream gradient, stream width, and water temperature were quantified utilizing a Suunto PM clinometer, surveyors tape, and an alcohol thermometer, respectively. Fish were sampled using a Smith-Root model 12-A backpack electrofisher. Representative sites were photographed with a Canon model 90 water-resistant 35mm camera. Any fish captured during sampling were identified to species, photographed and released. North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 2

4 MARBLE y 1768 m \''ar Figure 1: Key location map of cutblock LH13 in Menzies Bay and streams within Oyster Bay. / Courtena /

5 Stream Classification and Mapping of Streams in Menzies and Oyster Bay Physical Description Menzies Bay Stream #2 was surveyed from a point 214m east of Highway 19 to the west side of block LH13 (Figure 2). Reach 1 began at this point and continued upstream for 300m. Channel width in reach 1 averaged 2.7m, gradient was approximately 2%, and substrate consisted of gravel, silt, and cobble with intermittent sections of hardpan clay. Small amounts of woody debris were present in the channel throughout, mainly in the form of windfall. Riparian vegetation consisted mainly of Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), alder (Alnus spp), skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanum), and various ferns (Figure 3). Water temperature was recorded at 16OC. The culvert across highway 19 (Figure 4), was well placed and had a drop of only 0. lm to the water level, which was extremely low on the survey date. Reach 2 began at the 300m mark of the survey and continued for 604m. Stream characteristics remained fairly constant throughout. Gradient averaged 8% and channel width was 3.9m. Side channels were common throughout this reach, most not exceeding 50m in length. Water flow was almost non-existent in this reach exposing the cobble, gravel and sand substrate (Figure 5). Again, hardpan clay was intermittent throughout. Bedrock started to appear at the 867m point. Riparian vegetation consisted of salmonberry, ferns and large hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Two proposed road crossings were encountered, the Dam Quick road at the 507m point, and the Dam Quick spur road at the 770m point. Slope gradually increased to approximately 12% at the end of the survey where it leveled off to 2-3% at which point the survey was ended. North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 4

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7 Stream CIassijicatr*on and Mapping of Streams in Menzies and Oyster Bay Figure 3: Typical pool in reach 1. Overhanging vegetation consisted mainly of rn-l---l ---, -- Figure 4: Photo of culvert under Highway #19. Note the small drop and extremely low water flow. North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 6

8 Figure 5: Typical appearance of stream channel in reach 2. Water flow is almost non-existent. Oyster Bay "Stream 5" - Tributary 1 Our survey began just north of the access road where a tributary enters Strearn#5 fiom t.e west (Figure 6). Tributary 1 contained no water at the time of the survey and appears as a roadside ditch. It should be noted, both sides of the road have similar ditches and appe I to contain fish habitat. Substrate consisted of gravel, sand, some cobble and boulders a1.d averages 2.0m in width (Figure 7). The surrounding vegetation consists of thimbleber y (Rubus parvij70ms), maple (Acer spp.) and alder (Alnus spp.). This tributary has i.n average slope of 3%. At 28m upstream, the channel splits and there is a great deal >f small woody debris and vegetation in the channel. A wide pool occurs approximate y 61m upstream where this stream crosses an old road. The two channels of the strea n rejoin at 94m. At 192~ a cross-ditch joins the two roadside ditches. The south ditch is only habitable for another 20m (west direction), while the north ditch continues. North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 7

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10 Stream CIasszjication and Mapping of Streanzs in Menzies and Oyster Bay Reach 2 begins at 285m upstream where the channel width decreases to an average of 1.0m and ranges between Stream gradient and substrate remain constant throughout the stream to its completion at 392m. At this point, the stream has no definable channel or alluvial substrate. The north ditch frequently enters large wet areas. The edges of these areas were traversed to find possible outlets. None were found in any of these areas (See Figure 6 for locations). Stream 1 Stream 1 crosses the access road approximately 572m from Creek 5 (Figure 6). No water was found at the time of the survey. This stream was surveyed on both the upstream and downstream sides of the road. Upstream The width of the stream in the upstream direction (South) averaged 2.3 m with a gradient of 3%. Substrate consisted of primarily mud with some cobble throughout. Skunk cabbage was the dominant vegetation in this area, with some thimbleberry mixed in. The stream entered a fairly large wet area at loom at which point the survey was stopped. Downstream Channel width in the downstream direction (North) averaged 2.3m. The substrate consisted primarily of mud with some pockets of sand and gravel. Again, skunk cabbage was the primary vegetation, with sword ferns (Polystichunt, muniturn), mixed in. Gradient was very low (3-4%). At 160m, the stream enters into a series of large wet areas. A large marshy area at 229m appeared to have no outlet, and the survey was terminated at this point (Figure 8). North Island Biolo~ical Consultnnt.~ T,td POOP o

11 Stream Class and Mapping of Strenms in Menzies and Oyster Ba Figure 7: Typical section of Tributary 1. Figure 8: Wet area of Stream 1. North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 10

12 Stream Classification and Mapping of Streams in Menzies and Oyster Bay Stream 2 This stream crosses the road at 654m from stream 5 (Figure 6). While it crosses the road, there is no apparent upstream continuation (South direction). The stream was traversed downstream for 114m. where it becomes undefinable. The channel width where defined averaged 1.2m and had a slope of 3-5%. Substrate consisted of sand and mud with some gravel patches throughout. Vegetation along the stream consisted of skunk cabbage, sword ferns and some thimbleberry. Stream 3 Stream 3 is located approximately 325m north of stream 5 (Figure 6). It has previously been classified as an S6 due to improper culvert placement across highway 19. No water was present on the west side of the highway, but isolated pools on the east side existed. Figures 9 and 10 show the culverts across hwy 19. Both culverts are approximately m above the pool below apparently creating a barrier to fish movement. However, no formal survey was conducted due to this barrier and the lack of water. The presence or absence of fish on the west side of the highway depends on whether or not these culverts actually present a barrier to fish movement and need to be looked at during high flows and possible fish migration. North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 11

13 Stream Classification and Mapping of Streams in Menzies and Oyster Bay Figure 9: Culvert crossing below Highway 19 on east side. Figure 10: Second culvert crossing below Highway 19 on east side. North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 12

14 Stream Classification and Mapping of Streams in Menzies and Oyster Bay Results and Discussion The classifications and riparian management zones of all streams in this report can be found in Table 1 at the end of this section. Menzies Bay Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) were found in reach 1 (Figure. 11). Fish were only found in this reach due to the extremely low water levels present in this stream. However, no barriers to fish movement were found in the entire length of stream surveyed. Fish habitat exists throughout all stream reaches, and during periods of high water flow would be accessible by salmonids. A report by North Island Biological Consultants Ltd. (Fish and Fish Habitat Assessment of Three Streams in Cut Block LG14, by Doug McCorquodale) describes the lower portions of stream 2 and will not be discussed hrther here. Due to fish presence and the absence of barriers, reaches 1 and 2 are given a riparian classification of S3. Figure 11: Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) caught in reach 1 of Stream 2. North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 13

15 Stream Classification and Mapping of Streanzs in Menzies and Oyster Bay Oyster Bay Tributary 1 While no fish were found in tributary 1, suitable fish habitat exists. Access to the tributary is present and during higher water levels, will contain fish. For this reason, the stream is given a riparian classification of S3 in reach 1 and S4 in reach 2. The South side ditch is given a classification of S3 throughout its length (212m). The various wet areas that tributary 1 flows through should be managed as fishery sensitive zones (see Figure 6). A 5m no-machine zone should be strictly adhered to and the general regulations followed (see Riparian Management Area guidebook - Fishery sensitive zones) Stream 1 Stream 1 is given a riparian classification of S6. No connections to any fish-bearing stream were found and no resident fish were found due to there not being any water in the stream. Stream 2 Stream 2 is similar to stream 1. No water was present and no connections to fish bearing streams were found. As a result, stream 2 is given a classification of S6. Stream 3 While no fish were seen above the culvert barrier, a slight possibility of fish passage exists at higher water flows. High water marks in the pool below the culvert indicate a large increase in water levels, which may allow passage through the culverts for active salmonids. As it stands now, the stream is given a tentative classification of S6 above the culverts and S3 below. More surveys should be conducted at high water flows to make certain fish passage indeed ends at the culverts. It is highly recommended that additional surveys be conducted in the Oyster Bay area. At the time of survey, no water was present in the channels making precise classification difficult. Higher water level surveys may indicate that the channels created by the road North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 14

16 Stream Classification and Mapping of Streams in Menzies and Oyster Bay ditches are unsuitable for fish habitat. It may also indicate to what extent some of these wet areas are utilized, if at all. Table 1: Riparian Classification of Streams in Menzies Bay and Oyster Bay Stream Width Reserve Management (m) Classification Zone (m) Zone (m) Menzies Bay Stream #3 - Reach S Reach S Oyster Bay Tributaryl-Reach1 2.0 S Reach 2 1.O S Stream S Stream S Stream 3-Below culv. --- S Above culv. --- S6* 0 20 * Tentative classification North Island Biological Consultants Ltd Page 15