Reconnaissance Inventory of an unnamed lake (Murray River Watershed) WSC: Waterbody Identifier: 00493MURR

Transcription

1 Reconnaissance Inventory of an unnamed lake (Murray River Watershed) WSC: Waterbody Identifier: 00493MURR Prepared for: Canadian Forest Products Ltd. Chetwynd Division Box 180 Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 Prepared by: Hatfield Consultants Ltd Bellevue Ave. West Vancouver, BC V7V 1A6 Approved by: Alan Stockwell, R.P.Bio. February 15, 2000

2 Project Reference Information MELP Project Number Canfor Chetwynd 1998/1999 FRBC Standards Agreement FRBC Project Number /OPM98703 FDIS Project Number 07-MURR FRBC Region Omineca-Peace Region MELP Region 07 (Omineca-Peace) MELP District Not Applicable FW Management Unit 7-31 Fisheries Planning Unit Not Applicable DFO Sub-District Not Applicable Forest Region Prince George Forest Region Forest District Dawson Creek District Forest Licensee and Tenure # Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor), TFL 48 First Nations Claim Area Treaty 8 Watershed Information Watershed Group Murray River Group Watershed Code Waterbody Identifier 00493MURR UTM at Lake Outlet Order at Lake Outlet 1 Number of Tributaries 2 Drainage Area 0.23 km 2 Magnitude 1 Elevation 800 m NTS Map 93 I/14 TRIM Map 093I.084 BEC Zone SBSwk2 Airphotos SRS 5093: 28 and 29 Lake Sampling Summary Lake Survey Type Primary (98/99 RIC Standards) Surface Water Area 3.3 ha Maximum Depth 4.0 m Mean Depth 1.2 Secchi Depth > 4.0 m Volume 40,000 m 3 Area Above 6 m Contour 32,800 m 2 (3.3 ha) Shoreline Perimeter 1,734 m Lake Length 713 m i

3 Number of Islands 0 Fish Species Present in Lake BT, BB, GR, MW Contractor Information Project Manager: Name: Alan Stockwell, R.P.Bio. Company: Hatfield Consultants Ltd. Address: # Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver, BC V7V1A6 Phone: (604) Field Crew: Names: Alan Stockwell and Garth Taylor Data Entry: Name: Jason Baird Report Prepared by: Name: Alan Stockwell Report Edited by: Name: Andrew Allan and Malcolm Winsby Maps Prepared by: Name: Susan Cho Hatfield Consultants Ltd. GIS Services: Name: Susan Cho Hatfield Consultants Ltd. Water Chemistry: Name: Analytical Services Laboratories Ltd. (ASL) Address: 1988 Triumph Street, Vancouver, BC Phone: (604) Aging sample: Name: Timemark Consulting. analysis by Address: 3437 Hillside Ave., Nanaimo, BC Phone: (250) Genetic sample: Name: No Required analysis by Voucher Species: Name: Liparis Biological Services ID by Address: 4480 Shore Way, Victoria, BC Phone: (250) ii

4 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 classification, is subject to review by a statutory decision maker for the purposes of determining whether or not to approve an operational plan. Acknowledgements Funding for this reconnaissance survey was provided by Forest Renewal BC. The contractors (Hatfield Consultants Ltd.) would like to express their appreciation to Mr. Andrew de Vries, Habitat Forester at CANFOR, Chetwynd Division, and Mr. Jeff Burrows, MELP Fisheries Inventory Specialist for the Peace Sub-Region, for their informed technical guidance and administrative assistance during the implementation of this project. iii

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PROJECT REFERENCE INFORMATION...i WATERSHED INFORMATION...i LAKE SAMPLING SUMMARY...i CONTRACTOR INFORMATION...ii DISCLAIMER... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS... iii LIST OF TABLES...vi LIST OF FIGURES...(see Figures section in report) LIST OF APPENDICES... vii LIST OF ATTACHMENTS AVAILABLE AT MELP OFFICE...viii 1.0 INTRODUCTION...1/1 1.1 PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE...1/1 1.2 LOCATION...1/ Access...1/1 2.0 RESOURCE INFORMATION...2/1 3.0 METHODS...3/1 3.1 INVENTORY METHODS...3/1 3.2 DEVIATIONS FROM THE PROJECT PLAN...3/2 3.3 SAMPLING EQUIPMENT...3/2 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION...4/1 4.1 LOGISTICS...4/1 4.2 IMMEDIATE LAKE SHORELINE...4/1 4.3 SURROUNDING TERRAIN AND VEGETATION...4/1 4.4 AQUATIC FLORA...4/2 4.5 SITE SUMMARY...4/2 iv

6 4.6 BATHYMETRY...4/3 4.7 LIMNOLOGICAL SAMPLING...4/4 4.8 INLETS AND OUTLETS...4/5 4.9 FISH AGE, SIZE AND LIFE HISTORY...4/ Fish Sampling Summary...4/ Individual Fish Data Results...4/ SIGNIFICANT FEATURES AND FISHERIES OBSERVATIONS...4/ Fish and Fish Habitat...4/ Habitat Concerns...4/ Restoration and Rehabilitation Opportunities...4/ WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS...4/8 5.0 BIBLIOGRPAHY...5/1 5.1 CITED REFERENCES...5/1 5.2 ADDITIONAL REFERENCES...5/2 5.3 PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS...5/2 FIGURES APPENDICES v

7 LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1 Major equipment items used during field data collection program...3/2 Table 2 Coordinates and characteristics of lake sampling sites...4/2 Table 3 Statistics derived from the lake bathymetric survey...4/3 Table 4 Field and laboratory results of limnological sampling on the oxbow lake...4/4 Table 5 Summary of inlet/outlet sampling site characteristics...4/5 Table 6 Summary of lake and stream fish sampling, July /6 Table 7 Individual fish data from lake sampling effort...4/7 vi

8 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A1 Appendix A2 Appendix A3 Appendix A4 Appendix A5 Appendix A6 Lake Survey Form for Murray oxbow lake Water Chemistry Analysis for Murray oxbow lake Fish Data Collection Forms for Murray oxbow lake Reach/Site Summary Report for Murray oxbow lake Photographs Bathymetric Map vii

9 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS AVAILABLE AT MELP OFFICE Attachment 1 Photo Documentation FDIS Photo Summary Report Photo CDs Photo Negatives Photographic Prints Attachment 2 Digital Data Report Files FDIS Files Bathymetric Map File Attachment 3 Reference Material (completed and submitted with watershed report) Completed FISS Forms Annotated FISS NTS Maps Copy of Reference Material Attachment 4 Phase Completion Reports Hardcopy and Digital Phase Completion Reports Phase 1-3, Phase 4 and Project Completion Attachment 5 Original Field Data Forms and Notes Field Lake, Stream and Fish Cards Field Notes Field Working Maps Paper Sounding Traces from Bathymetric Transects Attachment 6 - Aerial Photographs of the Study Area Aerial Photographs: SRS Attachment 7 Fish Aging Structures Labeled Aging Structures Labeled Photocopies of Scale Prints Voucher Specimens viii

10 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE A primary lake survey of an unnamed oxbow lake (WSC and WID 00494MURR) in the Murray River watershed was carried out by Hatfield Consultants Ltd. (HCL) over the period July 27 to 28, The survey was part of the ongoing reconnaissance (1:20,000) inventory of fish and fish habitat within the Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (CANFOR) Chetwynd Division, operating area of TFL #48. The primary objective of the project was to gather fish and fish habitat information which will be used by the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP) and CANFOR to guide resource (fisheries) management decisions and to assist in the lakes classification process as required by the Forest Practices Code (FPC). All data gathering activities carried out under the inventory were conducted in accordance with the applicable technical standards and manuals produced by the Resources Inventory Committee (RIC), the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and MELP. These documents are listed in the Section 5.0 of this report. 1.2 LOCATION This unnamed oxbow lake is located in the Rocky Mountain Foothills bordering on the Hart Mountain Range, approximately 25 km southwest of the Quintette Coal Mine site. The closest community is Tumbler Ridge, BC which is situated about 40 km northeast of the lake. The lake is positioned in the immediate left bank floodplain of the Murray River. The Albright Ridge of the Rocky Mountains is to the west of the lake and lower foothills terrain to the east. The northern boundary of Monkman Provincial Park is approximately 3 km to the south of the lake. The location of the lake, major access roads and other significant features are shown on the project overview map in Figure 1 (see Figures section of the report) Access A combination of two-wheel drive vehicle and boat was used to transport the field crew and equipment to the lake. From Tumbler Ridge access is via Hwy 29 south to the Quintette Coal Mine site (approximately 17 km). Follow the main road through the mine site for about 2 km until the Murray River bridge crossing. From the bridge crossing the main road becomes the Murray Forest Service Road (FSR) which follows the Murray River mainstem along the left bank in a southwest direction. This road is also used to access Monkman Provincial Park. Approximately 21 km along the Murray FSR oxbow lake:02/08/05 1/1

11 the road passes over the Murray River on to the right bank. The next major stream crossing is Kinuseo Creek, which is about 5 km past the Murray River bridge. Approximately 700 m past Kinuseo Creek, the road comes within 50 m of the Murray River. At this point field equipment can be transported manually to the right bank of the Murray River for transport by boat to the lake. Boat transport was by a 9' inflatable powered by a 9.9 hp outboard motor. Although there were several points in the river where special care was required to avoid engine damage on the streambed, sufficient water was flowing in the Murray River at the time of the survey to allow for easy boat access to the lake. From the put-in point, follow the Murray River upstream for about 3.7 km to the lake outlet stream. The boat and equipment must then be carried approximately 25 m from the Murray River along the outlet to the northeast end of the lake. A small beaver dam blocks the outlet at that point and can be used as a staging point for the survey work. It should be noted that a helicopter equipped with a sling could be used to transport survey gear into the lake. However, there are no suitable landing points in the immediate vicinity of the lake so the field crew would still have to travel to the lake by boat. oxbow lake:02/08/05 1/2

12 2.0 RESOURCE INFORMATION First Nations Issues and Interests The unnamed oxbow lake area is situated within the traditional territory covered by the Treaty 8 First Nations group. The Treaty 8 group is currently not negotiating treaty rights with any level of government but they are actively involved in resource development and management issues within their traditional territories. There are no significant First Nations issues or interests associated with the area of the unnamed lake. There is a limited amount of resource harvesting activities, in the form of hunting and trapping, undertaken by First Nations peoples in the immediate project area. Development and Land Use The primary development and land use activity in the project area is forestry. Canfor is the forest licensee in the unnamed oxbow lake watershed, which is situated within Tree Farm License (TFL) #48 and the Wolverine Landscape Unit. The most recent logging activities in the general area took place in the Club Creek watershed in the 1980 s with restocking carried out in Club Creek is situated about 4 km to the north of the lake and flows into the Murray River on the left bank across from Kinuseo Creek on the right bank. Forest access is provided by the Murray FSR and associated spurs, such as the Club Creek Forest Road, which are maintained by Canfor. The Murray FSR also provides road access to Monkman Provincial Park. The northern boundary of the park is located about 4 km south of the lake. The northern origin of the Murray FSR is the Quintette Coal Mine which is the largest producer in the province. The lake is approximately 35 km upstream of the mine on the Murray River. The only other land use activity in the general area is a limited amount of hunting, fishing and trapping. Other Developments There are no other notable developments or points of interest in the immediate project area. Impacts and Uses by Wildlife Wildlife populations in the project area are expected to be consistent with those found in the sub-boreal spruce biogeoclimatic ecosystem zone (SBS), as highlighted in Meidinger and Pojar (1991). Wildlife observations during the field data collection component of the inventory were limited to beaver and range of bird species. Existing Water Quality Data No existing water quality data were identified during the information review phase or subsequent phases of the inventory. oxbow lake:02/08/05 2/1

13 Existing Fish Information There was no existing fish and fish habitat information on the lake or the immediate area found during the information review phase of the pre-field planning exercise. Four fish species, bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus), mountain whitefish (Prosopium williansoni), and burbot (Lota lota) were captured in the lake during the present inventory. This was not completely unexpected given that all these species are present in the adjacent Murray River. oxbow lake:02/08/05 2/2

14 3.0 METHODS 3.1 INVENTORY METHODS The lake inventory was carried out in accordance with the current versions of the Resources Inventory Committee (RIC) standards and procedures, which included the following documents. These documents are cited in the Bibliography section of this report. 1. Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Standards and Procedures, Version 1.1, RIC April Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Standards and Procedures, Version 1.1, RIC April Errata March Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Data Forms and User Notes, Version 1.1, RIC April Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Data Forms and User Notes, Version 1.1, RIC April Errata March Bathymetric Standards for Lake Inventories, Version 2.0, RIC January 1999; 6. Fisheries Information Summary System (FISS): Data Compilation and Mapping Procedures. Federal/Provincial Fish Habitat Inventory and Information Program. Draft 3 October User Guide to the British Columbia Watershed/Waterbody Identifier System, Version 2.2, RIC April Fish Collection Methods and Standards, Version 4.0, RIC January Fish Collection Methods and Standards, Version 4.0, RIC January Errata March Field Key to Fresh Water Fishes of British Columbia, RIC A Guide to Photodocumentation for Aquatic Inventory, RIC March Standards for Fish and Fish Habitat Maps, RIC May Standards for Fish and Fish Habitat Maps, RIC May Errata April Ambient Fresh Water and Effluent Sampling Manual, RIC July Collection and Preserving of Aquatic Plants, RIC 1994; 16. Identification Keys to the Aquatic Plants of British Columbia, RIC Draft BC Standards, Specifications and Guidelines for Resource Surveys Using GPS Technology, RIC Draft Freshwater Biological Sampling Manual, RIC oxbow lake:02/08/05 3/1

15 Additional detail on inventory methods is provided in the Project Plan submitted to MELP at the end of Phase 3 and in the Schedule A of the MELP Service Contract. There was no significant deviation from RIC standards and procedures during the field data collection program. In addition to the standard inventory procedures, there were a number of additional tasks specified by the Ministry Representative as follows. Fish Age, Growth and Identification Species, life stage, weight and fork length were determined for all fish captured during the inventory. An electronic toploading balance was used to determine fish weight to the nearest 0.1 g. Appropriate aging structures (scales for trout and fin rays for char) were collected from all salmonids captured. Fish aging structures were analyzed by Timemark Consulting as per the appropriate RIC standards and the Ministry Representative specifications. Fish Voucher Specimens There was no specific requirement to collect fish voucher specimens. However, voucher specimens were required for all abnormal fish, unidentified fish or fish outside of their normal range of distribution. The preservation, handling and identification of specimens were carried out in accordance with RIC standards and procedures. 3.2 DEVIATIONS FROM THE PROJECT PLAN There were no significant deviations from the original Project Plan. 3.3 SAMPLING EQUIPMENT Specifications for the major equipment items used during the field data collection phase of the inventory are provided below in Table 1. A number of other smaller equipment items, such as measuring tapes, hip chains, fish measuring boards, and metre sticks were also used during the field data collection component of the inventory. Table 1 Major equipment items used during field data collection program. Equipment Item Model Specifications Inflatable Boat Zodiac 9 ft. Outboard Motor Mercury 9.9 hp Global Positioning System (GPS) Garmin 45XL 12 Channel oxbow lake:02/08/05 3/2

16 Equipment Item Model Specifications Echosounder Lowrance X-16 Dual Frequency (50 and 192 khz) Electrofishing Unit Smith Root Model 12-b POW 100 to 1000 V DC Electronic Balance Ohaus CT1200 Toploading Balance with Capacity of 1200 gm Fish Traps Gee Minnow Traps Standard Mesh Size Oxygen, Conductivity, Temp. Meter YSI Model 85 Multi -sensor with 30 m cable ph Measurement LaMotte Comparator Test Kit ph Range of 4.5 to 9.5 Secchi Disk Standard model Camera Pentax Zoom 90-WR Automatic Range Finder with mm Zoom Altimeter ALTI Plus Model D2 ± 1 m from 305 m to 10,000 m Gill Net Standard Floating (6 panel) 91.2 m long and 2.4 m deep Water Sampler Van Dorn 2 L Clinometer Suunto Model PH-5/360 PC oxbow lake:02/08/05 3/3

17 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 LOGISTICS There were no significant problems encountered with logistical arrangements for the oxbow lake inventory. Access to the lake was gained using a combination of two-wheel drive vehicle and boat. Personnel and equipment were initially transported to an access point along the Murray River via the Murray FSR. From that point final access to the lake was by inflatable boat. Weather conditions during the two-day survey were overcast with intermittent rain. However, the generally poor weather had no impact on implementation of the sampling program. 4.2 IMMEDIATE LAKE SHORELINE The lake is a shallow oxbow basin surrounded by coniferous forest and wetlands. Immediate shoreline characteristics can be seen in the site photographs provided in Plates 1, 2 and 3, Appendix A5. As can be seen from the bathymetric map (see the Figures section of the report and Appendix A6), the lake has a maximum depth of only 4.0 m and a littoral zone (the area of the lake that is < 6 m in depth) that covers 100% of the basin area. Based on observations made during the shoreline cruise, most of the lakeshore is low wetland with patches of mature coniferous/deciduous forest, with no apparent bedrock outcroppings. Wetland areas occur at both ends of the lake and there is patchy distribution of emergent and submergent vegetation in the nearshore areas of the lake. The dominant large vegetation around the shoreline of the lake is subalpine fir and black/white spruce, as well as a number of deciduous tree/shrub species such as bunchberry, thimbleberry, prickly rose, willow and current. Terrestrial and emergent aquatic vegetation is growing to the shoreline around the entire perimeter of the lake. Large trees of the species mentioned above are present around approximately 80% of the lake shoreline, while wetlands vegetation is growing around the remainder of the lake perimeter. Submergent aquatic vegetation is apparent in approximately 5% of the lake. The majority of the immediate lake bed substrate is composed of mud/silt and organic debris originating from the shoreline vegetation. 4.3 SURROUNDING TERRAIN AND VEGETATION Terrain in the general vicinity of the lake is flat floodplain with associated wetlands areas. The lake and its associated wetlands lie in a broad valley bottom carved out by the Murray River. The river valley runs generally in a north-south direction and is bounded by 4,000 to 5,000 ft mountains to both the east and the west. General terrain features in the vicinity of the lake can be seen in the airphoto enlargement provided in the Figures section of the report. This photo shows the lake and its proximity to the Murray River. The lake is connected to the Murray River by short (approximately 25 m) inlet and outlet oxbow lake:02/08/05 4/1

18 streams. The inlet stream appears to flow only during periods of high water on the Murray River, while flow in the outlet stream is controlled by a small beaver dam. Data existing on the forest cover map of the area indicates that the lake drainage area is covered in mature second growth forest consisting primarily of mixed coniferous and deciduous vegetation. The dominant coniferous trees are black and white spruce, and subalpine fir. Deciduous vegetation is generally most abundant in the riparian areas around the lake and streams, as well as the wetlands. Common deciduous shrub and tree species include willow, current/gooseberry, bunchberry, thimbleberry, prickly rose and devil s club. The lake is located in the Sub-Boreal Spruce Wet Cool (SBSwk) biogeoclimatic zone. In British Columbia this zone generally occurs north of 51 o and south of 59 o N latitude from valley bottoms to m elevation (Meidinger and Pojar 1991). 4.4 AQUATIC FLORA In general, aquatic macrophyte growth was restricted to the immediate periphery of the lake, with larger patches occurring at both ends of the basin. The dominant emergent vegetation is the beaked sedge (Carax rostrada). Plate 4 (Appendix A5) shows this plant in situ. The swamp horsetail (Equisetum flavitile) was also present in mixed stands with the beaked sedge, particularly at the southwest end of the lake (see Plate 5 and 6). There are no significant concentrations of submergent aquatic plant species in the lake. However, small numbers of the verticillate water milfoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum) were observed growing in the nearshore area of the lake. The general locations of aquatic plant concentrations are provided on the lake outline map contained in the Figures section of the report. It was estimated that at the time of the survey less than 5% of the lake area was covered in aquatic vegetation. 4.5 SITE SUMMARY A number of sites were established on the oxbow lake to carry out the fish and limnology sampling. The coordinates and characteristics for each site are listed below in Table 2. Sampling site locations are shown on the annotated air photo and lake outline map provided in the Figures section of this report. Table 2 Coordinates and characteristics of lake sampling sites. UTM Coordinates Type of Site Site Number Site Characteristics Zone Easting Northing Limnology LS 1 Located at deepest point in the lake, 4.0 m. Fish GN FSS 1 Floating gill net that extended across the lake and was secured to the shoreline at either end. Fish - MT FSS 2 Set in approximately 1 m of water about 1 m from shore oxbow lake:02/08/05 4/2

19 UTM Coordinates Type of Site Site Number Site Characteristics Zone Easting Northing Fish - MT FSS 3 Set in approximately 1 m of water about 3 m from shore Fish - MT FSS 4 Set in approximately 1 m of water about 2 m from shore Fish - MT FSS 5 Set in approximately 1 m of water about 4 m from shore Fish - MT FSS 6 Set in approximately 1 m of water about 2 m from shore Fish - MT FSS 7 Set in approximately 1 m of water about 2 m from shore LS = Limnology Station; FSS = Fish Sampling Site; GN = Gill Net; MT = Minnow Trap 4.6 BATHYMETRY A full bathymetric survey was conducted during the lake inventory. The location of echosounding transects and spot soundings (and corresponding depths) are shown on the lake outline map provided in the Figures section of the report. The sounding results were used to generate a bathymetric map showing depth contours and other features as specified in the Bathymetric Standards for Lake Inventories (Resources Inventory Committee 1999e). An 11" x 17" copy of the bathymetric map is provided in the Figures section of the report, and a large format ( D size) copy of the map is contained in Appendix A6. Basic statistics derived from the bathymetric survey of the lake are listed below in Table 3. Table 3 Statistics derived from the lake bathymetric survey. Parameter Value Elevation 800 m ± Surface Area 3.3 ha Area Above 6 m Contour 32,800 m 2 (3.3 ha) Volume 40,000 m 3 Mean Depth 1.2 m Maximum Depth 4.0 m Perimeter Main Shore 1,734 m Perimeter Islands 0 Benchmark UTM Coordinates Bench Mark Height 1.93 m oxbow lake:02/08/05 4/3

20 4.7 LIMNOLOGICAL SAMPLING The location of the limnology sampling station on the oxbow lake is shown on both the lake outline map as well as the annotated air photo provided in the Figures section of the report. Results of the limnological sampling (field and laboratory) are summarized below in Table 4. The results of the laboratory analysis of the lake surface water sample are provided in Appendix A2. Given the shallow depth of the lake a temperature/dissolved oxygen profile was not generated for the lake. Table 4 Field and laboratory results of limnological sampling on the oxbow lake. Sampling D ate: 1999/07/28 Sampling Time: 12:00 EMS #: E Parameter* Field Measurement (surface/near bottom) Laboratory Measurement (surface) Temperature ( o C) 15.9 / Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) 8.96 / ph 7.8 / Specific Conductance (µs/cm) 334 / Secchi Depth (m) > Water Colour brown / green - Total Dissolved Solids (mg/l) Acidity (to ph 8.3) - 6 Acidity (to ph 4.5) - < 1 Total Alkalinity (mg/l) Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/l) Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (mg/l) Nitrate Nitrogen (mg/l) - < Nitrite Nitrogen (mg/l) - < Total Nitrogen (mg/l) Total Dissolved Phosphate (mg/l) - < Total Phosphate (mg/l) The following observations can be made concerning these data: The lake appears to be a shallow, polymictic waterbody (continuously mixing; no thermal stratification). Specific conductance levels were relatively high, but comparable to values determined for the streams in the project area. oxbow lake:02/08/05 4/4

21 Specific conductance levels were generally consistent throughout the water column at about 330 µs/cm. At the time of sampling, sufficient oxygen was available to support fish life throughout the water column. The dissolved oxygen concentration at a depth of 1 m (8.96 mg/l) was approximately 88% of saturation. Temperature and ph levels in the lake were within acceptable ranges for biological production. Visibility in the lake was high with a Secchi depth in excess of 4.0 m. All water quality parameters were within acceptable limits for wildlife as defined by the BC Water Quality Guidelines (BC Environment 1998). Water quality conditions in this oxbow lake were generally acceptable for fish production. 4.8 INLETS AND OUTLETS Site surveys were carried out on both the lake inlet and outlet streams. The location of inlet/outlet sampling sites are shown on the lake outline map provided in the Figures section of this report. An unusual situation exists at this lake in that both the inlet and outlet streams are connected to the Murray River. Reach/site summary reports for the inlet and outlet sample sites are provided in Appendix A4 along with appropriate photographs of site conditions. A brief summary of inlet/outlet site data is provided below in Table 5. Table 5 Summary of inlet/outlet sampling site characteristics. ILP/Watershed Code Reach # Site Map Characteristics (inlet stream) (outlet stream) 3 93I.084 No flow at time of survey Pools and standing water Flows only at high water on Murray R. Avg. channel width: 2.3 m Avg. wetted width: 1.1 m Avg. gradient: 0 % Bed material: fine Temperature: 16 o C No fish caught 1 93I.084 Low flow at time of survey Outlet flow controlled by beaver dam Avg. channel width: 4.3 m Avg. wetted width: 0.7 m Avg. gradient: 0.5 % Bed material: fine oxbow lake:02/08/05 4/5

22 ILP/Watershed Code Reach # Site Map Characteristics Temperature: 16 o C No fish caught 4.9 FISH AGE, SIZE AND LIFE HISTORY Fish Sampling Summary Fish sampling on the oxbow lake was carried out using a combination of minnow traps and a floating gill net. The locations of sampling sites are shown on the lake outline map in the Figures section of this report. Given the shallow lake depth no sinking gill net was used during the lake sampling. The inlet and outlet streams were sampled for fish using a Smith-Root backpack electroshocker. Due to their shallow depths, minnow traps were not set in the inlet or outlet streams. No fish were caught in either the inlet or outlet stream. However, a total of 14 fish were caught in the gill net within ten minutes of deployment. In this regard, the field crew was concerned about seriously depleting the fish populations in the lake and therefore decided to remove the net. Previous experience has shown that even with constant monitoring of gill nets the survival of captured fish is very low. Fish species captured in the short gill net set include bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) and mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni). Photos of these fish can be seen in Appendix A5 (Plates 7, 8 and 9). Overnight minnow traps set in the lake caught numerous leeches and one juvenile burbot (Lota lota). Catch and effort information for both the lake and stream sampling is summarized below in Table 6. Copies of the Fish Data Collection Forms are provided in Appendix A3. Table 6 Summary of lake and stream fish sampling, July Lake Net Trap Summary Set Pull Site No. Method Date Time Date Time Species Site 1 Floating Gill Net July 27/99 16:30 July 27/99 16:45 BT, GR, MW Site 2 Minnow Trap July 27/99 14:50 July 28/99 10:50 BB Site 3 Minnow Trap July 27/99 14:55 July 28/99 11:05 No fish caught Site 4 Minnow Trap July 27/99 15:00 July 28/99 11:10 No fish caught Site 5 Minnow Trap July 27/99 15:05 July 28/99 11:15 No fish caught Site 6 Minnow Trap July 27/99 15:10 July 28/99 11:20 No fish caught Site 7 Minnow Trap July 27/99 15:15 July 28/99 11:25 No fish caught Lake Tributary Sampling Summary oxbow lake:02/08/05 4/6

23 Lake Tributary Sampling Summary ILP / Watershed Code Site # Inlet / Outlet Survey Length Stream Order Species Inlet 22.5 m 1 No fish caught Outlet 20.0 m 1 No fish caught Individual Fish Data Results Individual fish data from the lake sampling are listed below in Table 7. The gill net catch was dominated by bull trout and mountain whitefish. A cross-section of ages was present in the population including adult and juvenile fish for both species. Given that no suitable spawning habitat is present for these species in the lake or associated inlet/outlet streams, it is assumed that recruitment to the lake is from the Murray River during high water events. All four fish species captured in the lake are present in the Murray system. A length-frequency histogram was not generated for the fish catch due to insufficient data. Table 7 Individual fish data from lake sampling effort. Fish # Site/Gear Species Length (mm) Weight (g) Age (y) Sex Maturity 1 1 / GN BT M M 2 1 / GN BT F M 3 1 / GN BT F M 4 1 / GN BT M M 5 1 / GN BT F M 6 1 / GN BT F M 7 1 / GN BT M MTC 8 1 / GN GR F M 9 1 / GN MW M M 10 1 / GN MW M M 11 1 / GN MW F M 12 1 / GN MW F MTC 13 1 / GN MW F MTC 14 2 / MT BB M MTC 4.10 SIGNIFICANT FEATURES AND FISHERIES OBSERVATIONS Fish and Fish Habitat Specific comments on fish and fish habitat in the oxbow lake are as follows: oxbow lake:02/08/05 4/7

24 The lake is an oligotrophic, polymictic waterbody with a maximum water depth of 4.0 m. The bathymetry of the basin is characteristic of an oxbow lake which is an abandoned portion of the mainstem river channel. Aquatic macrophyte growth in the lake is patchy and water visibility, measured as Secchi depth, is high. The lake appears to provide good rearing habitat for both bull trout and mountain whitefish. This is consistent with other similar lakes studied during previous inventory programs in the area. The inlet and outlet streams provide no potential spawning habitat for any fish species present in the lake. With the possible exception of burbot that do spawn in lentic waters, it is also unlikely that the lake habitat offers much potential spawning habitat to resident fish species. The life cycle of the fish found in the lake may include migration into the Murray River for spawning either through the inlet stream during high water periods in the Murray or through the outlet stream if the beaver dam is breached. There are no special fish populations, or rare or sensitive species present in the lake. Due to the small size of the lake and its relatively remote location, sports fishing opportunities are limited. Fish populations in a lake of this size could be severely reduced in very short order by intensive sports fishing Habitat Concerns Restoration and Rehabilitation Opportunities No fish/fish habitat restoration or rehabilitation initiatives are recommended for this oxbow lake WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS Wildlife species that were observed during the field component of the lake survey included the following: Beaver (Castor canadensis) one beaver sited as well as a well maintained beaver dam at the lake outlet. Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) Four birds sited. Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) Six birds sited in various locations on the lake. Gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis) Several sitings made during the field work. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Observed circling above lake. Unidentified forest birds. oxbow lake:02/08/05 4/8

25 5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY 5.1 CITED REFERENCES BC Environment British Columbia Water Quality Guidelines (Criteria): 1998 Edition. Water Quality Section, Water Management Branch, Environment and Resource Management Department, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Victoria, BC. BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and Department of Fisheries and Oceans Fisheries Information Summary System (FISS): Data Compilation and Mapping Procedures. Federal/Provincial Fish Habitat Inventory and Information Program. Draft 3 October McPhail, J.D. and R. Carveth Field Key to the Freshwater Fishes of British Columbia. (Resources Inventory Committee draft). Fish Museum, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia. Meidinger, D. and J. Pojar Ecosystems of British Columbia. BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC. 330 pp. Osprey Environmental Services A Guide to Photodocumentation. (Resources Inventory Committee draft). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch, Resources Inventory Committee. Resources Inventory Committee Ambient Fresh Water and Effluent Sampling Manual, RIC July Resources Inventory Committee BC Standards, Specifications and Guidelines for Resource Surveys Using GPS Technology, RIC Draft Resources Inventory Committee. 1997a. Freshwater Biological Sampling Manual, RIC Resources Inventory Committee. 1997b. Fish Collection Methods and Standards, Version 4.0, RIC January Resources Inventory Committee. 1998a. User s Guide to the British Columbia s Watershed/Waterbody Identifier System. Resources Inventory Committee. 1998b. Standards for Fish and Fish Habitat Maps. Version 2.0, RIC May Resources Inventory Committee. 1998c. Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Standards and Procedures, Version 1.1, April oxbow lake:02/08/05 5/1

26 Resources Inventory Committee. 1998d. Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Data Forms and User Notes, Version 1.1, RIC April Resources Inventory Committee. 1999a. Fish Collection Methods and Standards, Version 4.0, RIC January Errata March Resources Inventory Committee. 1999b. Standards for Fish and Fish Habitat Maps, RIC May Errata April Resources Inventory Committee. 1999c. Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Standards and Procedures, Version 1.1, April Errata March Resources Inventory Committee. 1999d. Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Data Forms and User Notes, Version 1.1, RIC April Errata March Resources Inventory Committee. 1999e. Bathymetric Standards for Lake Inventories, Version 2.0, RIC January ADDITIONAL REFERENCES BC Ministry of Environment, Resource Analysis Branch Aquatic-biophysical Inventory - 1:50,000 maps (93 I/14). BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Fisheries Information Summary System (FISS) - 1:50,000 maps (93 I/14). Department of Energy, Mines and Resources :50,000 topographic maps (93 I/14). Surveys and Mapping Branch, Ottawa. 5.3 PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS None referenced oxbow lake:02/08/05 5/2

27 Lake Survey Transect Calculations Sheet Lake: unnamed oxbow lake in Murray R. Watershed Waterbody ID: 00493MURR Transect Number: 2 Distance from Shore (m): Actual Transect Length (m): 59.5 Start: 2 Trace Length in Reality (m): 55.5 End: 2 Trace Length on Paper (mm): 34.0 Transect Length on Outline Map (mm): 35.0 Depth Length Along Trace Distance Along Transect Distance Along Transect (m) (mm) (m) (%) on Outline Map (mm) Unnamed oxbow lake:08/02/2005

28 Transect 1 (conv. 0.76) Transect 2 (conv. 0.97) Transect 3 (conv. 0.78) Transect 4 (conv. 0.66) Transect 5 (conv. 0.73) Transect 6 (conv. Rough Rough Rough Rough Rough Trace Map Trace Map Trace Map Trace Map Trace Map Trace Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm)

29 0.61) Transect 7 (conv. 0.61) Transect 8 (conv. 0.59) Transect 9 (conv. 0.73) Transect 10 (conv. 0.64) Transect 11 (conv. 0.63) Rough Rough Rough Rough Rough Rough Map Trace Map Trace Map Trace Map Trace Map Trace Map Distance Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance Distance Depth Distance Distance (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) (m) (mm) (mm)

30 Lake Volume and Mean Depth Calcualtions Unnamed Lake in Murray River Watershed (Waterbody ID: 00493MURR) Depth Contour Interval Depth Contour Area Volume (m) (m) (m 2 ) (m 3 ) , ,758 24, ,762 11, ,485 3, Total Volume (m 3 ) 40,040 Mean Depth (m) 1.2 Volume Calculation = 1 h2 h3 ( ) ( ) ( a + a + a + a + 3 a + a + a + a + 3 a + a + a + a ) +... h Where Mean Depth = a = surface area inside the contour line in square metres h = the depth of the contour interval in metres total volume / surface area