Upper Whatshan River and Fife Creek Bull Trout Redd Surveys
Author: H. Andrusak, S. Himmer
This report summarizes the results of 2017 fall redd surveys conducted on the primary tributary of the Upper Whatshan River that is the only known Bull Trout spawning system in the Whatshan Reservoir basin. The Upper Whatshan River upstream of Fife Creek was also surveyed to determine if Bull Trout spawned in this part of the system. Project Objectives: 1. Conduct a Bull Trout redd survey on Fife Creek, the primary tributary of the upper Whatshan River; 2. Conduct Bull Trout redd surveys in select locations of the upper Whatshan River.
The 2016 redd surveys revealed that the number of redds counted in Fife Creek were quite low at 36. The 2017 surveys yielded a count of only 28. This survey noted a barrier to upstream migration was located (only) at 3.0 Km upstream from the Upper Whatshan River. In 2016 the barrier to upstream movement was located at 4.5 Km. Fife Creek is a very active stream with large amounts of wood in the wetted area so it appears that barriers to fish passage are formed annually and may well change with each annual spring runoff.Water temperatures in Fife Creek were 5o C and 4o C on September 24 and October 7 respectively. On October 7 a total of 28 bull trout redds (including 6 in North Fife) were observed in the Fife Creek system.
The 2016 redd surveys revealed that the number of redds counted in Fife Creek were quite low at 36. The 2017 surveys yielded a count of only 28. This survey noted a barrier to upstream migration was located (only) at 3.0 Km upstream from the Upper Whatshan River. In 2016 the barrier to upstream movement was located at 4.5 Km. Fife Creek is a very active stream with large amounts of wood in the wetted area so it appears that barriers to fish passage are formed annually and may well change with each annual spring runoff.Water temperatures in Fife Creek were 5o C and 4o C on September 24 and October 7 respectively. On October 7 a total of 28 bull trout redds (including 6 in North Fife) were observed in the Fife Creek system.
Resources Data:
Name: COL_F18_F_2372_1522879061423_2876670916
Format: PDF
URL: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r54238/COL_F18_F_2372_1522879061423_2876670916.pdf
Additional Info
Study Years: 2017
Published: 2018
Topics
Tags: Barriers, Bull Trout, Fish Passage, FWCP, HCTF, Population, Redds, Salvelinus Confluentus, Spawning, Whatshan Reservoir, Whatshan RiverUpper Whatshan River and Fife Creek Bull Trout Redd Surveys
Author: H. Andrusak, S. Himmer
Tags: Barriers, Bull Trout, Fish Passage, FWCP, HCTF, Population, Redds, Salvelinus Confluentus, Spawning, Whatshan Reservoir, Whatshan River
This report summarizes the results of 2017 fall redd surveys conducted on the primary tributary of the Upper Whatshan River that is the only known Bull Trout spawning system in the Whatshan Reservoir basin. The Upper Whatshan River upstream of Fife Creek was also
surveyed to determine if Bull Trout spawned in this part of the system.
Project Objectives: 1. Conduct a Bull Trout redd survey on Fife Creek, the primary tributary of the upper Whatshan River; 2. Conduct Bull Trout redd surveys in select locations of the upper Whatshan River.
Summary
The 2016 redd surveys revealed that the number of redds counted in Fife Creek were quite low at 36. The 2017 surveys yielded a count of only 28. This survey noted a barrier to upstream migration was located (only) at 3.0 Km upstream from the Upper Whatshan River. In 2016 the barrier to upstream movement was located at 4.5 Km. Fife Creek is a very active stream with large amounts of wood in the wetted area so it appears that barriers to fish passage are formed annually and may well change with each annual spring runoff.Water temperatures in Fife Creek were 5o C and 4o C on September 24 and October 7 respectively. On October 7 a total of 28 bull trout redds (including 6 in North Fife) were observed in the Fife Creek system.