DRYWOOD AND YARROW CREEKS - FISHERIES ASSESSMENTS, 2010 Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023

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1 DRYWOOD AND YARROW CREEKS - FISHERIES ASSESSMENTS, 2010 Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Prepared by: Lesley Peterson and Brian Meagher Trout Unlimited Canada February 2011

2 Acknowledgements TUC greatly appreciates the help and support provided by the Drywood-Yarrow Conservation Partnership. Thank you also to Tony Bruder, president of the Partnership for his commitment to conservation and education within his watershed and for organising and hosting the Educational Field Day on September 14. The Drywood Creek Watershed Renewal Program was made possible by a grant awarded to TUC from the Alberta Conservation Association s Grant Eligible Conservation Fund. This grant allowed TUC to hire a biologist to coordinate sampling and educational activities. The grant also funded a riparian fencing and off-stream watering set-up in which TUC partnered with a local cattle producer to complete. Thank you to Walter and Jackie Bonertz for allowing TUC access to their property to complete fisheries assessments on Drywood Creek on September 13. TUC is also grateful for the help provided by John Derksen and his Lethbridge College students for helping out with the electrofishing effort that day. The students enthusiasm and willingness to learn was much appreciated. Thank you also to the College for providing an additional electrofisher for the field day. Thank you to the TUC Oldman Chapter for their assistance during the Educational Field Day on September 14. The following members volunteered their time during the event: Richard Burke, Peter degorter, Blaine Thacker, and Randy Pickering. TUC also thanks Will Warnock and Kathryn Kuchapski of the University of Lethbridge for helping with the electrofishing assessment of Upper Drywood Creek on October 19. Thank you also to the Shell Waterton Complex, especially Rod Sinclair and Craig Hallden for permitting TUC staff and volunteers vehicle access to the sampling site in upper Drywood Creek via the service road. Thank you also to Karen and Chuck Johnston, Gord Murray, Joe Neidermayer, Jay Scott, and Christine and Kirstie Robertson for volunteering. Thank you to Daryl Wig and Matthew Coombs for providing the necessary Fish Research Licenses and for their advice and expertise. TUC would also like to thank Jeff Porter of the South-western Alberta Conservation Partnership for his continued efforts in promoting best management practices among landowners and for finding suitable partners to participate fencing and off-stream watering projects. The following TUC staff participated in this project during 2010: Lesley Peterson, Brian Meagher, Cliona Curran, Gina Hoar, Lindsay Nielsen, and Diana Carroll. Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 i

3 Executive Summary Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) continued work in the Drywood Creek watershed for the third year as part of the Drywood Creek Watershed Renewal Program. TUC s involvement included fisheries sampling in five reaches of the system including two reaches on lower Drywood Creek below the Gulf Dam (Sites #1 and #2), one reach on lower Yarrow Creek (Site #3), and two reaches in upper Drywood Creek within Butcher Canyon (Sites #4 and #5). The greatest species diversity of the sampled reaches occurred at Sites #1 and #2, the lowermost sampling sites and the only reaches sampled below the Gulf Dam. Eight species were captured at Site #1; this was the only site in which Burbot, Trout-perch, and Mountain Suckers were captured. Site #2 was the only site in which Lake Chub were captured. The reach sampled in Yarrow Creek (Site #3) resulted in the capture of four Rainbow Trout, one Brook Trout, and 18 suckers. The only cyprinid species captured were Longnose Dace. A population estimate was completed within upper Drywood Creek. Brook Trout was the only species captured in this reach of the creek. Twenty fish were captured within the 250 metre reach. These fish belong to several different age classes, including presumed young-of-the-year, as indicated by the variation in length distribution. The species composition of fish captured within upper Drywood Creek was found to be in sharp contrast to results of sampling in upper Yarrow Creek in 2009, when Bull Trout was the only species captured. TUC also did electrofishing demonstrations and taught fish identification and handling at an educational field day geared towards local junior high school students. Four other partnering agencies set up educational stations at the event which was hosted by the Drywood Yarrow Conservation Partnership. Also in 2010/11, approximately 1.5 miles of fencing was installed along with an offsite watering system in partnership with a local landowner. This initiative will take pressure off the sensitive riparian area along Yarrow Creek. Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 ii

4 Table of Contents Page # Acknowledgements... i Executive Summary... ii Table of Contents... iii List of Tables... iv List of Figures... iv List of Appendices... iv 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background Study Area Drywood Creek Yarrow Creek Methods 2.1 Sampling Methods Drywood Creek Yarrow Creek Fish Processing Data Analysis Population Estimates Length Distribution Catch Comparisons Results and Discussion 3.1 General Species Composition Catch Comparison Lower Drywood Creek Site # Site # Yarrow Creek (Site #3) Upper Drywood Creek (Sites #4 and #5) Species Composition Length Distribution Population Estimate... 9 Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 iii

5 Page # Catch Comparisons Overview and Recommendations Other Conservation Initiatives, Literature Cited List of Tables Table 1. Abbreviations, common names, and scientific names of all fish species mentioned in this report... 6 Table 2. Species composition of all sites sampled in Drywood and Yarrow Creek in Table 3. Catch comparisons of all reaches sampled in Drywood and Yarrow Creeks in September and October, Table 4. Comparison of multi-pass electrofishing efforts in upper Yarrow Creek (October 20, 2009) and upper Drywood Creek (October 19, 2010) List of Figures Figure 1. Overview of Drywood Creek watershed and 2010 sampling sites... 2 Figure 2. Reaches sampled (Sites #1 and #2) in Drywood Creek on September 13, Figure 3. Reach sampled (Site #3) in Yarrow Creek on September 14, Figure 4. Reaches sampled in Drywood Creek on October 19, Figure 5. Length frequency distribution of brook trout captured at both sampling sites within upper Drywood Creek on October 19, List of Appendices Appendix A Length and weight data collected during sampling within lower Drywood Creek (Site #1) on September 13, Appendix B Length and weight data collected during sampling within lower Drywood Creek (Site #2) on September 13, Appendix C Length and weight data collected during sampling within lower Yarrow Creek (Site #3) on September 14, Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 iv

6 Page # Appendix D Length and weight data collected during sampling within upper Drywood Creek (Site #4) on October 19, Appendix E Length and weight data collected during sampling within upper Drywood Creek (Site #5) on October 19, Appendix F Stream habitat measurements completed October 19, 2010 at upper Drywood Creek... 6 Appendix G Photographs... 7 Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 v

7 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Drywood Creek is a tributary of the Waterton River system within the Oldman River Basin. The Drywood Creek sub-watershed is located in south-western Alberta north of Waterton Lakes National (Figure 1). Drywood Creek headwater streams originate in four Front Range canyons; these headwater creeks include: the north fork of Drywood Creek, South Drywood Creek, Spionkop Creek, and Yarrow Creek. Drywood Creek drains an area approximately 280 km 2 before emptying into the Waterton Reservoir (Fitch 1980). Land use within the basin includes agriculture, oil and gas exploration, and recreation. There are two impoundments within the Drywood Creek basin. The Gulf Dam (also locally referred to as the BA Dam) and reservoir was built in 1956 by Gulf Oil to provide water to an adjacent gas processing facility. This dam is approximately 6.5 km upstream of the Waterton Reservoir on SE W4. The second dam is on the north fork of Drywood Creek approximately 2.6 km upstream of the mouth of South Drywood Creek. This dam and reservoir currently serves the Shell Waterton Complex, a gas processing facility. One of the goals of Trout Unlimited Canada s Drywood Creek Watershed Renewal Program is to increase connectivity within the watershed, allowing native bull trout (BLTR) access to upstream spawning grounds. Upstream passage for BLTR into the upper reaches of the watershed would improve the genetic diversity of this population. The goals of the project also include collecting fisheries data within the watershed to better understand fish species distribution, engaging the local community and schools through educational field days, and working with local landowners to protect and enhance riparian health and functionality. 1.2 Study Area Five reaches were sampled in 2010: two reaches in Drywood Creek below the Gulf Dam, one reach in Yarrow Creek just upstream of the mouth, and two reaches in upper Drywood Creek (north fork) (Figure 1) fisheries sampling included: Presence/absence assessment within a 300 m reach in Drywood Creek approximately 1 km below the Gulf Dam and a second 175 m habitat-based presence/absence assessment approximately 0.5 km below the dam (Figure 2). Habitat-based sampling within a 250 metre reach of Yarrow Creek approximately 180 m upstream of the mouth (Figure 3). The purpose of this sampling event Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 1

8 was to collect presence/absence data as well as for educational purposes during an environmental field day for local junior high school students Population estimate of 250 m reach in upper Drywood Creek within Butcher Canyon and additional habitat-based sampling of a 235 m reach upstream of the population estimate site (Figure 4). Figure 1. Overview of Drywood Creek watershed and 2010 sampling sites. Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 2

9 Figure 2. Reaches sampled (Sites #1 and #2) in Drywood Creek on September 13, Figure 3. Reach sampled (Site #3) in Yarrow Creek on September 14, Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 3

10 Figure 4. Reaches sampled in Drywood Creek on October 19, Drywood Creek Drywood Creek is approximately 35 km long from the headwaters to the Waterton Reservoir. Below the mouth of South Drywood Creek, Drywood Creek has an average gradient of approximately 10.8 metres per kilometre (Miller and Paetz 1952) Yarrow Creek Yarrow Creek is approximately 26 km long from the headwaters to its confluence with Drywood Creek. It has an average gradient of 10.6 metres per kilometre (Miller and Paetz 1952). Spionkop Creek is a tributary of Yarrow Creek. Yarrow Creek joins Drywood Creek approximately 2.2 km upstream of the Gulf Dam. 2.0 METHODS 2.1 Sampling Methods Electrofishing was used to capture fish during each sampling event. Throughout sampling, electrofishing practices followed guidelines described in the Alberta Fisheries Management Division Electrofishing Policy Respecting Injuries to Fish (2004). An electrofishing crew was made up of one electrofisher operator, three dip-netters, and one bucket carrier. All crew members wore non-leaking chest waders and appropriate rubber gloves. Only trained and certified crew members operated the electrofisher. Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 4

11 Specific sampling methods varied at each site depending on site conditions and the goals of the sampling event Drywood Creek September 13 lower sampling site (Site #1): Block nets were set up to hold fish within a 300 metre reach in order to maintain a closed system for a three-pass removal population estimate. Two electrofishing crews worked side by side in an upstream electrofishing effort. The crews attempted to achieve maximum coverage of the sampling reach; however some high-grading was unavoidable. A reduced effort was made to capture all minnows because the main objective was to complete a population estimate of any sport species that might occur in sufficient numbers. However, based on the numbers of fish captured in the first pass, the crew decided to forgo additional efforts within this reach. September 13 upper sampling site (Site #2): No block nets were set up. Two electrofishing crews worked together to electrofish a single pass within a 175 metre reach. This sampling effort was not as comprehensive as that of the lower site. No block nets were used and the crews focused their efforts more on river left. This was also a training exercise for college students. October 19 lower sampling site (population estimate) (Site #4): Block nets were set up to isolate a 250 metre reach to achieve a closed system for completing a population estimate using the depletion method. One electrofishing crew completed three upstream passes, carrying out a thorough survey of the sample reach. Crew members each performed the same role during each electrofishing pass to maintain consistency in sampling effort between passes. October 19 upper sampling site (Site #5): One electrofishing crew fished upstream from the upper block net of the population estimate site 235 metres to a natural barrier within the creek. This was a habitat-based sampling effort and not as comprehensive as the population estimate site Yarrow Creek September 14 (Site #3) One electrofishing crew completed an upstream, habitat-based sampling effort of a 250 metre reach of Yarrow Creek. The sampling effort was completed in conjunction with the Drywood-Yarrow Conservation Partnership Educational Field Day. 2.2 Fish Processing All sportfish and other fish 200 mm were measured for fork length to the nearest millimetre and weighed to the nearest gram. Non-sportfish <200 mm were identified to species and tallied. Besides the population estimate, each sampling reach was sampled Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 5

12 in a single pass. Fish were held in tubs until being processed and were released within the reach from which they were captured. For the population estimate at Site #4, fish were processed separately for each pass and the effort (electrofishing seconds) recorded. Fish were held in flow-through tubs in the creek downstream of the sampling area until the third and final pass was completed. After processing, fish were released throughout the sampling area. Abbreviations, common names, and scientific names of all species named in this report are provided in Table 1. Table 1. Abbreviations, common names, and scientific names of all fish species mentioned in this report. Abbreviation Common Name Scientific Name Sportfish BURB burbot Lota lota BKTR brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis BLTR bull trout Salvelinus confluentus RNTR rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss MNWH mountain whitefish Prosopium williamsoni Non-Sportfish LKCH lake chub Couesius plumbeus LNDC longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae LNSC longnose sucker Catostomus catostomus MNSC mountain sucker Catostomus platyrhynchus TRPR trout-perch Percopsis omiscomaycus 2.3 Data Analysis Population Estimates Data were entered into and analysed within Excel spreadsheets (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA). Catch data from the three-pass removal at Site #4 were analysed using the depletion method population estimate calculations described in Lockwood and Schneider (2000) Length Distribution No fish were aged during the project. As an alternative, length-frequency distribution histograms were created to illustrate length classes of BKTR captured at Sites #4 and #5. Length can be used as a predictor of age, especially for young fish but as fish age and grow, the overlap between the length-at-age distribution is larger (Morton and Bravington 2008). BKTR fork lengths were grouped into 10 mm intervals and the Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 6

13 frequency of occurrence of each interval is displayed on the y axis of the histogram. The three remaining sampling events did not result in sufficient sample sizes of measured fish to accurately evaluate length distribution Catch Comparisons Sampling methods varied for each sampling event to reflect the site-specific sampling goals. As a result, it is unreasonable to compare absolute numbers of fish captured at each site. Instead, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) is used to compare the numbers of fish captured at each sampling reach. CPUE was calculated by dividing the number of fish captured by electrofishing by the active electrofishing effort (time) and is reported as fish per minute. Density is also used to make comparisons between sites. Density was calculated by dividing the number of fish captured by the distance sampled and is reported as fish per metre. 3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 General Species Composition Eight species were captured at Site #1 and six species at Site #2. These two sites, which were the lowermost reaches sampled in 2010 and the only sites below the Gulf Dam, had the greatest species diversity recorded (Table 2). These were the only sites in which BURB, MNSC, and TRPR were captured (Table 2). Five species were captured at Site #3 and BKTR was the only species captured at Sites #4 and #5 in upper Drywood Creek (Table 2) Catch Comparisons Electrofishing effort varied at each sampling site between 20.3 minutes at Site #5 and minutes at Site #4 (Table 3). CPUE of all species varied between 0.1 fish per minute at Site #4 and 3.3 fish per minute at Site #1; the average CPUE was 1.5 fish per minute. CPUE for sportfish was greatest at Site #5 (1.9 fish per minute) and was 0.1 fish per minute at each other site (Table 3). Site #4 had a relatively low CPUE likely because three passes were completed whereas every other reach was sampled in a single pass. Overall density was greatest at Site #1 (1.1 fish per metre) and lowest at Site #4 (0.1 fish per metre). Sportfish density was greatest at Site #5 (0.2 fish per metre) and lowest at Sites #1, #2, and #3 (<0.1 fish per metre) (Table 3). Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 7

14 3.2 Lower Drywood Creek Both reaches sampled in lower Drywood Creek had gravel and cobble substrate and the riparian vegetation was mostly grasses with a few shrubs and mature cottonwood trees throughout Site #1 LNDC was the most abundant species observed at the lower sampling site in Drywood Creek (n=266). Eight species were captured from this site more than any other reach sampled in Nine sportfish were captured including RNTR (n=4), MNWH (n=3), BURB (n=2), together making up 2.8% of the catch. Both BURB and three of the four RNTR captured were 200 mm. Three of the MNWH and one BURB were found impinged on the upper block net; since these four individuals were not actually captured by electrofishing they are not included in CPUE calculations Site #2 LNDC was also the most abundant species captured within the second sampling reach at lower Drywood Creek, making up 81.1% of the total catch. BURB were the only sportfish captured (n=7); three of which were 200 mm. 3.3 Yarrow Creek (Site #3) Mature deciduous trees lined river right along the reach sampled in Yarrow Creek. Much of the reach was made up of shallow riffles and runs with several deeper pools along river right. Some cattle grazing has occurred along this reach. A total of 118 fish were captured during sampling at Yarrow Creek (Site #3) on September 14, The catch included LNDC (n=100), LNSC (n=10), WHSC (n=8), RNTR (n=4), and BKTR (n=1) (Table 2). Sportfish made up 4.1% of the total catch. Three RNTR were 200 mm, all other fish were <200 mm. LNDC was the most abundant species captured, making up 81.3% of the total catch. 3.4 Upper Drywood Creek (Sites #4 and #5) Mature mixed wood riparian vegetation lined much of this reach of the creek which was made up of a series of riffles and step-pools. A summary of habitat conditions within a typical riffle/run and a pool/glide near the lower limit of the population estimate site is provided in Appendix D. Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 8

15 3.4.1 Species Composition BKTR were the only species captured at both sampling sites in upper Drywood Creek. Twenty BKTR were captured at Site #4 and 38 were captured at Site #5. In contrast, only BLTR were captured from upper Yarrow Creek, the southernmost tributary of the Drywood system, during sampling in 2009 (Peterson and Meagher 2010; Table 4) Length Distribution Fifty seven BKTR captured within upper Drywood Creek were measured and weighed. One additional fish was captured during the third electrofishing pass at Site #4 but it was accidentally dropped when being transferred to a bucket and therefore was not measured. BKTR lengths from these two reaches ranged from 52 mm to 281 mm; the mean length was mm (Appendices E and F). There appear to be several length classes, which indicate the likelihood that several age cohorts were represented within the catch (Figure 5). The mm length class is made up of presumed young-of-the-year (YOY) individuals. BKTR appear to be successfully spawning in upper Drywood Creek as evidenced by this YOY catch. In addition, two redds were observed immediately above the population estimate site and at least one BKTR was identified as being in ripe spawning condition. The length frequency distribution of BLTR captured from upper Yarrow Creek in 2009 also points out several possible age cohorts, including presumed YOY individuals (Figure 4). Not including YOY, the majority of BLTR captured at Yarrow Creek measured between 91 mm and 220 mm (Peterson and Meagher 2010); the majority of BKTR captured at Yarrow Creek were between 81 mm and 250 mm. There were also two larger individuals captured at each site, although there is a larger gap between the majority of the BLTR catch and the two large individuals at Yarrow Creek (Figure 4). It is possible that after rearing in these reaches, some individuals move down the system and some remain as residents. Further research should take place to identify what factors influence BLTR and BKTR distribution in the watershed. Both BKTR and BLTR were captured during sampling in Yarrow Creek at Spread Eagle Road in October 2008 (Meagher 2008) but further upstream, only BLTR have been captured (Peterson and Meagher 2010) Population Estimate The three-pass removal at Site #4 resulted in the capture of 16, 3, and 1 BKTR, respectively. Using the three pass depletion population estimate formula described in Lockwood and Schneider (2000), the population within the 250 m reach was estimated to be 21. The standard error was calculated as 2.6 for a 95% confidence limit of ±5.2. The probability of capture (p) was calculated to be 0.7. A population estimate could be considered unbiased if p 0.8 and unreliable if p 0.2 (Lockwood and Schneider 2000). Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 9

16 However, the reliability of this population estimate is questionable because of the small sample size, and should be used with caution Catch Comparisons Sampling at Site #5 resulted in a CPUE of 1.9 fish per minute as compared to 0.1 fish per minute during the three pass removal in Site #4 (Table 3). The density of fish within Site #5 was twice that of Site #4 (0.1 fish/m and 0.2 fish/m, respectively) (Table 3). There are several explanations for these differences in density and CPUE: sampling was conducted using different electrofishing techniques and was much more rigorous at Site #4 in an effort to achieve a statistically sound population estimate; the active electrofishing times varied between these two sites in part because three passes were completed at Site #4 and one pass at Site #5; the habitat within this Site #5 was possibly more favourable. Both density and CPUE within the upper Drywood Creek population estimate site were less than that of the upper Yarrow Creek population estimate in 2009 (Table 4). Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB

17 Drywood Creek (Site #1: 13-Sep-10) Drywood Creek (Site #2: 13-Sep-10) Yarrow Creek (Site #3: 14-Sep-10) Upper Drywood Creek (Site #4: 19-Oct-10) 1 Upper Drywood Creek (Site #5: 19-Oct-10) 1 Species (n=) % Composition 200mm (%) (n=) % Composition 200mm (%) (n=) % Composition 200mm (%) (n=) % Composition 200mm (%) (n=) % Composition 200mm (%) BKTR 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a 1 0.8% 0.0% % 25.0% % 39.5% BURB 2 0.6% 100.0% 7 5.5% 42.9% 0 0.0% n/a 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a MNWH 3 0.9% 0.0% 0 n/a n/a 0 0.0% n/a 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a RNTR 4 1.2% 75.0% 0 n/a n/a 4 3.3% 75.0% 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a LKCH 0 n/a n/a 1 0.8% 0.0% 0 0.0% n/a 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a LNDC % 0.0% % 0.0% % 0.0% 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a LNSC 6 1.8% 0.0% 2 1.6% 0.0% % 0.0% 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a MNSC 7 2.2% 0.0% 3 2.4% 0.0% 0 0.0% n/a 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a TRPR 4 1.2% 0.0% % 0.0% 0 0.0% n/a 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a WHSC % 0.0% 0 n/a n/a 8 6.5% 0.0% 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a Total Sportfish 9 2.8% 55.6% 7 5.5% 42.9% 5 4.1% 60.0% % 25.0% % 39.5% Total Nonsportfish % 0.0% % 0.0% % 0.0% 0 n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a Total All Fish % % % % % Percent Sportfish 2.8% 5.5% 4.1% 100.0% 100.0% Note: 200mm (%) derived from # of individuals 200mm divided by total number of fish within that class (i.e. sport or non-sport) Table 2. Species composition of all sites sampled in Drywood and Yarrow Creek in Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB

18 Table 3. Catch comparisons of all reaches sampled in Drywood and Yarrow Creeks in September and October, Diversion Site #1 - Site #2 - Lower Lower Drywood 1 Drywood 1 Site #3 - Yarrow Site #4 - Upper Drywood 2 Site #5 - Upper Drywood Total Average Effort (minutes) Number of fish captured by electrofishing Total CPUE (fish/minute) Number of sportfish captured by electrofishing Sportfish CPUE (sportfish/minute) Distance sampled (m) Sportfish density (sportfish/m) <0.1 <0.1 < Total density (fish/m) Two electrofishing crews worked side by side 2 Three electrofishing passes Table 4. Comparison of multi-pass electrofishing efforts in upper Yarrow Creek (October 20, 2009) and upper Drywood Creek (October 19, 2010). Yarrow Creek 20-Oct-09 Drywood Creek 19-Oct-10 Shell compressor station 1 Butcher Canyon Species BLTR BKTR Pass Pass Pass Pass 4 3 n/a Total Distance Fished (m) Density (fish/metre) Minutes Fished CPUE (fish/minute) from Peterson and Meagher 2010 Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB

19 Frequency of occurence Frequency of occurence Length distribution of BLTR captured within upper Yarrow Creek on October 20, 2009 BLTR (n=35) Fork length (mm) Figure 5. Length frequency distribution of bull trout captured within upper Yarrow Creek on October 20, Length distribution of BKTR captured from Upper Drywood Creek on October 19, 2010 BKTR (n=57) Fork length (mm) Figure 6. Length frequency distribution of brook trout captured at both sampling sites within upper Drywood Creek on October 19, Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB

20 3.5 Overview and Recommendations Following recommendations provided by Peterson and Meagher (2010), each sampling site was scouted well in advance of sampling. This helped to alleviate the problems faced during the 2009 sampling season as described by Peterson and Meagher (2010). The sampling sites visited during 2010 were compatible with the goals of the sampling efforts, sufficient volunteer help was acquired, and an extra electrofisher was arranged for when deemed appropriate. Despite best efforts to be prepared for fieldwork, it was still necessary to allow for some flexibility in the sampling plan. The initial goal of the sampling effort below the Gulf Dam was to complete three-pass removal within Site #1 in order to calculate a population estimate within the 300 m reach. However, after the first pass, too few sportfish were captured for a sufficient sample size. As a result, the decision was made that sampling a second reach would be more valuable than completing two additional passes within the same reach. Recommendations for future sampling within the Drywood Creek watershed: Sample upper Spionkop Creek and upper South Drywood Creek. Sampling within the upper north fork of Drywood Creek resulted in only BKTR while sampling within upper Yarrow Creek resulted in only BLTR. We do not yet know if populations of BLTR are persisting in these other two creeks. Continue to work with the Drywood-Yarrow Conservation Partnership. This group is a valuable resource for volunteers, landowners willing to partner on riparian conservation projects, access to sampling sites, and local knowledge. Complete yearly redd surveys in each of these front range canyons to better understand population dynamics within the Drywood Creek basin; A tagging study would help explain the life history strategy and migration patterns of adult fish captured in the upper reaches of the Drywood Creek watershed. This would help to demonstrate whether there would be a benefit to BLTR if connectivity were restored allowing BLTR below the Gulf Dam access to spawning areas higher up in the system. 4.0 OTHER CONSERVATION INITIATIVES, 2010 TUC enlisted fisheries students from Lethbridge College to help with sampling on September 13, In turn, the students gained valuable experience working on an electrofishing crew and processing a variety of fish species and sizes. Students took turns in various roles including dip-netting, bucketing, processing, and electrofishing. On September 14, 2010, TUC was involved in an educational field day in which approximately 150 junior high school students from two local schools had the opportunity to watch an electrofishing demonstration, learn proper fish identification Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB

21 and handling techniques, and learn about fish habitat. Members of the TUC Oldman Chapter assisted with fish collection and engaged the students by showing them various types of invertebrates. This event resulted in very positive feedback from members of the Drywood-Yarrow Conservation Partnership, participating organisations, teachers, and students. A fencing and off-stream watering project partnership was initiated with Tony Bruder. TUC agreed to fund up to $8000 towards riparian fencing and a watering system which will keep his cattle away from Yarrow Creek during the winter. Recommendations for future conservation efforts within the Drywood Creek watershed: Work more closely with the Alberta Conservation Association to initiate partnerships with landowners to install fencing and off-stream watering set-ups. This may allow the two organisations to move forward on more projects that we otherwise might be able to on our own. Continue to work with Jeff Porter of the Southwest Alberta Conservation Partnership to initiate partnerships with landowners on riparian enhancement initiatives. Repeat the educational field day or something similar in September is an ideal time to complete this activity. Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB

22 Literature Cited Alberta Fisheries Management Division Alberta Fisheries Management Division electrofishing policy respecting injuries to fish. [ icencespermits/documents/injurytofish.pdf] [accessed January 6, 2011] Fitch, L Drywood Creek: Stream survey inventory. Alberta Energy and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife Division, Lethbridge, Alberta. Lockwood, R. N. and J. C. Schneider Stream fish population estimates by mark and recapture and depletion methods. Chapter 7 in Schneider, J. C. (ed) Manual of fisheries survey methods II: with periodic updates. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Special Report 25, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Meagher, B Yarrow Creek population estimates Trout Unlimited Canada, Calgary, Alberta. Morton, R. and M. Bravington Comparison of methods for estimating age composition with application to Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii). Fisheries Research 93: Miller, R. B. and M. J. Paetz Preliminary Biological Surveys of Alberta Watersheds Department of Lands and Forests, Edmonton, Alberta. 114 p. Peterson, L. and B. Meagher Drywood and Yarrow Creeks Fisheries assessments, Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-017. Calgary, Alberta. Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB

23 Appendix A Table A1 Length and weight data collected during sampling within lower Drywood Creek (Site #1) on September 13, Sampling Date Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 13-Sep-10 RNTR RNTR RNTR RNTR BURB BURB MNWH MNWH MNWH Appendix A Table A2 Total fish captured during sampling within lower Drywood Creek (Site #1) on September 13, Species Tally of Measured Fish Tally of Enumerated Fish Morts Total RNTR 4 4 MNWH 4 4 BURB 2 2 LNSC 6 6 WHSC LNDC TRPR 4 4 MNSC Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 1

24 Appendix B Table B1 Length and weight data collected during sampling within lower Drywood Creek (Site #2) on September 13, Sampling Date Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 13-Sep-10 BURB BURB BURB BURB BURB BURB BURB Appendix B Table B2 Total fish captured during sampling within lower Drywood Creek (Site #2) on September 13, Species Tally of Measured Fish Tally of Enumerated Fish Morts Total BURB 7 7 LNSC 2 2 WHSC 5 5 LNDC LKCH 1 1 TRPR MNSC Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 2

25 Appendix C Table C1 Length and weight data collected during sampling within lower Yarrow Creek (Site #3) on September 14, Sampling Date Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 14-Sep-10 RNTR RNTR RNTR RNTR BKTR Appendix C Table C2 Total fish captured during sampling within lower Yarrow Creek (Site #3) on September 14, Species Tally of Measured Fish Tally of Enumerated Fish Morts Total RNTR 4 4 BKTR 1 1 LNSC WHSC 8 8 LNDC Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 3

26 Appendix D Table F1. Stream habitat measurements completed October 19, 2010 at upper Drywood Creek: riffle/run characteristics. Transects - Riffle/run Width (m) Transects - Pool/glide Width (m) Depth (cm) Left of Centre Centre Right of Centre Depth (cm) Left of Centre Centre Right of Centre Cover Substrate Riparian Cover (cm) Transect Wet Wb Wet Wb Wet Wb Wet Wb Fines Gravel-1 Gravel-2 Cobble Boulder-1 Boulder-2 Boulder-3 Bedrock Totals Table F2. Stream habitat measurements completed October 19, 2010 at upper Drywood Creek: pool/glide characteristics. Substrate Transect Wet Wb Wet Wb Wet Wb Wet Wb Fines Gravel-1 Gravel-2 Cobble Boulder-1 Boulder-2 Boulder-3 Bedrock Totals Cover Riparian Cover (cm) Bank Cover (cm) Bank Cover (cm) Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 4

27 Appendix E Table E1 Length and weight data collected during sampling within upper Drywood Creek (Site #4, Pass 1) on October 19, Sampling Date Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 19-Oct-10 BKTR BKTR 52 2 BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR 60 2 Appendix E Table E2 Length and weight data collected during sampling within upper Drywood Creek (Site #4, Pass 2) on October 19, Sampling Date Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 19-Oct-10 BKTR BKTR BKTR Appendix E Table E3 Length and weight data collected during sampling within upper Drywood Creek (Site #4, Pass 3) on October 19, Sampling Date Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 19-Oct-10 BKTR individual was captured but dropped Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 5

28 Appendix F Table F1 Length and weight data collected during sampling within upper Drywood Creek (Site #5) on October 19, Sampling Date Species Fork Length (mm) Weight (g) 19-Oct-10 BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR 57 1 BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR BKTR Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 6

29 Appendix G: Photographs Photo 1. Downstream view of lower Drywood Creek sampling site 1 from processing area (photo taken September 13, 2010). Photo 2. Upstream view of lower Drywood Creek sampling site 1 from processing area (photo taken September 13, 2010). Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 7

30 Photo 3. Upstream view of spillway and Gulf Dam on Drywood Creek (photo taken September 13, 2010). Photo 4. Downstream view of lower Drywood Creek sampling site #2 (photo taken September 13, 2010). Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 8

31 Photo 5. Downstream view of Yarrow Creek sampling area (photo taken September 2, 2010) Photo 6. Sampling crew completes habitat measurements within population estimate site in upper Drywood Creek (photo taken October 19, 2010). Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 9

32 Photo 7. Upstream view of electrofishing crew sampling within population estimate site on upper Drywood Creek (photo taken October 19, 2010). Trout Unlimited Canada Technical Report No. AB-023 Appendix A to G 10