Appendix - 197360 - Riddeck Creek
Site Location
PSCIS crossing 197360 is located on Riddeck Creek at km 47 of the Morice-Owen FSR accessed from Houston, BC. The Morice-Owen FSR is a forest tenure road and the responsibility of the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNR) - Nadina District. The area immediately to the south of the subject crossing is a conservation area manged by the Nature Trust of British Columbia.
Background
This memo was initially released in 2020. Assessment work was conducted by field teams adjacent to the culvert on the Morice-Owen FSR again in 2023 so it has been updated with new information.
Riddeck Creek flows through an extensive area of wetland type habitat into the top end of Owen Lake approximately 1km downstream of the crossing on Riddeck Creek. Owen Lake is drained by Owen Creek emptying into the Morice River approximately 20km to the north. At the crossing location, Riddeck Creek is a 4th order stream with a watershed area upstream of the highway of approximately 29km2. The elevation of the watershed ranges from a maximum of 1140 to 750m at teh FSR. Riddeck Creek is known to contain longnose sucker and rainbow trout usptream of the subject culvert (MoE 2020a). On the north side of the upper watershed, at an elevation of 1160m, are the 25ha Neuch Lakes. The limit of fish distribution in the Riddeck Creek mainstem is documented by David Bustard and ssociates Ltd. (1999) as a 6m high waterfall located 2.4km upstream of the FSR with the three main tributary systems classified as either non-fish bearing or fish bearing for only short distances (<200m) from the mainstem. Of note, a dam is documented in MoE (2020b) just downstream of Owen Lake and is visible on google earth imagery. FLNRORD team members note that the structure is a beaver dam (pers comm. Lars Reese-Hanson, Aquatic Habitat Specialist, FLNR).
At the time of initial reporting in 2020, as an initiative of the Forest and Range Evaluation Program as well as the Bulkley Valley Research Centre, FLNR and the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy were undertaking a watershed status evaluation of the Owen Creek watershed. At the time of reporting updates in 2024 the reporting had been completed (Pickard et al. 2023). The evaluation uses remotely sensed and field based surveys to interpret the current functioning condition of the watershed as well as its possible future state as a result of continuing human and natural activities by ranking eight indicators of watershed pressure related to riparian health, fish passage and fine sediment delivery (Pickard et al. 2014; Porter et al. 2019).
PSCIS stream crossing 197360 was prioritized for follow up with a habitat confirmation through consultation with Lars Reese-Hansen and Don Morgan (Wildlife Habitat Specialist, MoE). They indicated (pers comm.) that following fish passage assessments in the watershed in 2014 (implemented through watershed status evaluation field surveys throughout the Owen Creek watershed), Riddeck Creek upstream of the crossing contained the highest value habitat potentially blocked by a road-stream crossing barrier. Based of these recommendations, a habitat assessment was conducted during the initial 2020 survey. A map of the watershed is provided in map attachment 093L.104.
In 2022, an engineering design for replacement of the culvert on Morice-Owen FSR was commissioned by Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy representatives. At that time a replacement cost was estimated at approximately $900,000.
In the summer of 2023, crossing 197360 was revisited and electrofishing was conducted for baseline monitoring and to scope again for anadromous species. Fish sampling results from 2023 are included in this report.
Stream Characteristics at Crossing
At the time of the 2020 survey, the culvert was un-embedded, non-backwatered and considered a barrier to upstream fish passage. The pipe was 1.2m in diameter with a pipe length of 27m, a culvert slope of 1%, a stream width ratio of 1.8 and an outlet drop of 0.24m (Table 5.38). Water temperature was 15\(^\circ\)C, pH was 6.8 and conductivity was 140uS/cm.
A survey was conducted with a remotely piloted aircraft immediately upstream and downstream of the crossing. The resulting images were stitched into a 3-dimensional model (4cm resolution) covering an area of approximatley 12ha presented in Figure 5.42 and downloadable as a google earth kmz file here.
Figure 5.42: Interactive 3D model of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing 197360.
Stream Characteristics Downstream
The stream was surveyed downstream from the culvert for 300m (Figures 5.45 - 5.46). Overall, total cover amount was rated as moderate with overhanging vegetation dominant. Cover was also present as small woody debris, large woody debris, undercut banks, deep pools, and instream vegetation (Table 5.40). The average channel width was 3.7m, the average wetted width was 3.2m and the average gradient was 1.1%. The dominant substrate was fines with gravels subdominant. A somewhat recent burn was noted within a forested area on left bank of stream. Habitat was rated as moderate as it was considered an important migration corridor with moderate value habitat for fry/juvenile salmonid rearing.
During the 2023 reassessment, the stream was surveyed below the crossing for ~50m. Downstream of the crossing, the stream was only watered at the outlet of the culvert and occasional pools, otherwise the channel was dry. The outlet pool was turbid and murky with small and large woody debris present, which made for challenging electrofishing (Figure 5.49).
Stream Characteristics Upstream
The stream was surveyed upstream from 197360 for 1200m (Figures 5.47 - 5.48). Immediately upstream of the crossing for a distance of approximately 150m is a beaver influenced wetland with a beaver dam structure located approximately 40m upstream of the road. Within the area surveyed, total cover amount was rated as moderate with deep pools dominant. Cover was also present as small woody debris, large woody debris, boulders, undercut banks, and overhanging vegetation (Table 5.40). The average channel width was 3.3m, the average wetted width was 1.8m and the average gradient was 2.7%. Abundant gravels and small cobbles suitable for resident, fluvial, adfluvial and anadromous salmonid spawning were present throughout the area surveyed. Habitat value was rated as high for salmonid rearing and spawning.
PSCIS culvert 197669 was documented on Riddeck Creek, 1.2km upstream of the FSR and PSCIS crossing 197360. The culvert was un-embedded, non-backwatered and considered a barrier to upstream fish passage. The pipe was 1.25m in diameter with a pipe length of 6m, a culvert slope of 2%, a stream width ratio of 2.1 and an outlet drop of 0.45m (Table 5.39).
During the 2023 reassessment, the stream was surveyed above the crossing for ~350m. Immediately upstream of the crossing was a small amount of wetted wetland before the stream went subsurface for the remaining ~350m which was characterized by beaver activity and low gradients.
Table 5.41 presents preliminary fish passage modelling data for crossing 197360 with spawning and rearing habitat estimated for chinook, coho, sockeye and steelhead. Modelled estimates of the total length of salmon or steelhead habitat upstream of the crossing before potential barriers are 0.6km of potential spawning habitat and 1.4km of potential rearing habitat.
Fish Sampling
Electrofishing was conducted in 2020 at two sites upstream and one site downstream of the Morice-Owen FSR. A total of 14 rainbow trout captured upstream with 2 rainbow trout captured downstream. Raw results are included in digital format as Attachment 2, summarized in Tables 5.42 - 5.43 and visualized in Figure 5.43.
The site was revisited on September 13, 2023 with electrofishing conducted again above and below crossing 197360 on Morice-Owen FSR. Results are summarized in Tables 5.44 - 5.45 and Figure 5.44. Electrofishing in 2024 was challenging with only small sites assessed due to heavy vegetation and low water levels. A total of 1 rainbow trout were captured upstream and 2 rainbow trout were captured downstream (Figure 5.50). All fish captured with a fork length greater than 60mm were tagged with Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT tags) with data stored here.
Structure Remediation and Cost Estimate
At the time of report updates (June 2024), an engineering design for a clear span bridge had been completed, pilings had been purchased, and an overall replacement cost was estimated at approximately $900,000.
Conclusion
There was 1.2km of habitat upstream of crossing 197360 and downstream of PSCIS barrier culvert 197669 with habitat in this area rated as high value for salmonid rearing/spawning. Remediation of PSCIS culvert 197669 located on a private road approximately 1.2km upstream of the FSR would facilitate fish passage to an additional 1.5km of habitat upstream of the area surveyed. Although only rainbow trout were captured during electrofishing surveys upstream and downstream of the FSR in both 2020 and 2023, Riddeck Creek contains habitat likely suitable for spawning and rearing for other species including lamprey, burbot, coho salmon and others. The crossing was ranked as a high priority for proceeding to design for replacement.
The Office of Wet’suwet’en has initiated watershed level Nation led recovery/restoration planning for the greater Bii Wenii Kwa (Owen Creek) watershed which. This planning includes restoration of PSCIS crossing 197360 on the Morice-Owen FSR and restoration actions in the greater Reddick Creek watershed as priority considerations.
In 2022, an engineering design for replacement of the culvert on Morice-Owen FSR was commissioned by Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy representatives and completed by engineering consultants with a replacement cost estimated at approximately $900,000. The Morice-Owen FSR is the responsibility of the Ministry of Forests (MoF) and if not yet completed, the design for replacement will require approval from MoF engineering. At the time of reporting in 2024, some materials for construction (pilings) had been purchased with additionally dollars likely available for superstructure purchase from the Fish Passage Technical Working Group in 2024 (pers. comm. Lars Reese-Hanson, WLRS).
| Location and Stream Data |
|
Crossing Characteristics | – |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 2020-09-05 | Crossing Sub Type | Round Culvert |
| PSCIS ID | 197360 | Diameter (m) | 1.2 |
| External ID | – | Length (m) | 27 |
| Crew | AI, KP | Embedded | No |
| UTM Zone | 9 | Depth Embedded (m) | – |
| Easting | 649936 | Resemble Channel | No |
| Northing | 5992406 | Backwatered | No |
| Stream | Riddeck Creek | Percent Backwatered | – |
| Road | Morice-Owen FSR | Fill Depth (m) | 2.5 |
| Road Tenure | FLNR Nadina 9947 | Outlet Drop (m) | 0.24 |
| Channel Width (m) | 2.2 | Outlet Pool Depth (m) | 1.6 |
| Stream Slope (%) | 1.5 | Inlet Drop | No |
| Beaver Activity | Yes | Slope (%) | 1 |
| Habitat Value | High | Valley Fill | Deep Fill |
| Final score | 29 | Barrier Result | Barrier |
| Fix type | Replace with New Open Bottom Structure | Fix Span / Diameter | 10 |
Photos: From top left clockwise: Road/Site Card, Barrel, Outlet, Downstream, Upstream, Inlet.
|
|||
| Comments: Wetland type habitat for first 300m upstream then 3m wide channel with cover available in all forms with pools suitable for juvenile RB and CO overwintering. Abundant gravels and small cobbles throught suitable for CO or RB/ST spawning. |
| Location and Stream Data |
|
Crossing Characteristics | – |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 2020-09-05 | Crossing Sub Type | Round Culvert |
| PSCIS ID | 197669 | Diameter (m) | 1.25 |
| External ID | 14000079 | Length (m) | 6 |
| Crew | AI, KP | Embedded | No |
| UTM Zone | 9 | Depth Embedded (m) | – |
| Easting | 650567 | Resemble Channel | No |
| Northing | 5993274 | Backwatered | No |
| Stream | Riddeck Creek | Percent Backwatered | – |
| Road | Private | Fill Depth (m) | 0.3 |
| Road Tenure | unclassified | Outlet Drop (m) | 0.45 |
| Channel Width (m) | 2.6 | Outlet Pool Depth (m) | 0.7 |
| Stream Slope (%) | 4 | Inlet Drop | No |
| Beaver Activity | No | Slope (%) | 2 |
| Habitat Value | High | Valley Fill | Deep Fill |
| Final score | 31 | Barrier Result | Barrier |
| Fix type | Replace with New Open Bottom Structure | Fix Span / Diameter | 10 |
Photos: From top left clockwise: Road/Site Card, Barrel, Outlet, Downstream, Upstream, Inlet.
|
|||
| Comments: Extensive rearing habitat and gravels suitable for spawning. Stream eventually flows into top end of Owen Lake. |
| Site | Location | Length Surveyed (m) | Channel Width (m) | Wetted Width (m) | Pool Depth (m) | Gradient (%) | Total Cover | Habitat Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197360 | Downstream | 300 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 1.1 | moderate | moderate |
| 197360 | Upstream | 1200 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 2.7 | moderate | high |
| Habitat | Potential | Remediation Gain | Remediation Gain (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon Network (km) | 6.6 | 1.1 | 17 |
| Salmon Lake Reservoir (ha) | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Salmon Wetland (ha) | 84.9 | 79.9 | 94 |
| Steelhead Network (km) | 6.7 | 1.1 | 16 |
| Steelhead Lake Reservoir (ha) | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Steelhead Wetland (ha) | 84.9 | 79.9 | 94 |
| CH Spawning (km) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100 |
| CH Rearing (km) | 0.6 | 0.6 | 100 |
| CO Spawning (km) | 1.5 | 0.6 | 40 |
| CO Rearing (km) | 2.1 | 1.2 | 57 |
| CO Rearing (ha) | 79.9 | – | – |
| SK Spawning (km) | 0.0 | 0.0 | – |
| SK Rearing (km) | 0.0 | 0.0 | – |
| SK Rearing (ha) | – | – | – |
| ST Spawning (km) | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100 |
| ST Rearing (km) | 2.1 | 0.7 | 33 |
| All Spawning (km) | 1.5 | 0.6 | 40 |
| All Rearing (km) | 3.5 | 1.4 | 40 |
| All Spawning and Rearing (km) | 3.5 | 1.4 | 40 |
| * Model data is preliminary and subject to adjustments including incorporating area based estimates. | |||
| † Modelled rearing habitat estimates include linear lengths of centrelines within wetlands for coho and within lakes >100ha (multiplied by 1.5) for sockeye. | |||
| ‡ Remediation Gain is an estimate of the amount of habitat to be gained by providing access above the crossing. This assumes that all upstream habitat is currently unavailable and that all modelled unassessed crossings located upstream would prevent further passage. |
| Site | Location | Width (m) | Length (m) | Area (m2) | Effort (s) | Effort (s/m2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | Downstream | 2.0 | 9 | 18 | 94 | 5.2 |
| 55 | Upstream | 1.9 | 20 | 38 | 48 | 1.3 |
| 56 | Upstream | 2.0 | 10 | 20 | 33 | 1.6 |
| Site | Location | Species | Fry | Juvenile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | Downstream | RB | 11.1 | – |
| 55 | Upstream | RB | 15.8 | – |
| 56 | Upstream | RB | 30.0 | 10 |
Figure 5.43: Densites of rainbow trout (fish/100m2) capture upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing 197360, in 2020.
| site | passes | ef_length_m | ef_width_m | area_m2 | enclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197360_ds_ef1 | 1 | 4 | 3.38 | 13.5 | Open |
| 197360_us_ef1 | 1 | 12 | 1.45 | 17.4 | Open |
| local_name | species_code | life_stage | catch | density_100m2 | nfc_pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197360_ds_ef1 | RB | fry | 2 | 14.8 | FALSE |
| 197360_us_ef1 | RB | fry | 1 | 5.7 | FALSE |
|
* nfc_pass FALSE means fish were captured in final pass indicating more fish of this species/lifestage may have remained in site. Mark-recaptured required to reduce uncertainties. |
Figure 5.44: Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing 197360, in 2023.
Figure 5.45: Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197360 in 2020.
Figure 5.46: Aerial view of typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197360 in 2020.
Figure 5.47: Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197360 in 2020.
Figure 5.48: Rainbow trout captured upstream of PSCIS crossing 197360 in 2020.
Figure 5.49: Outlet pool electrofished downstream of crossing 197360 in 2023.
Figure 5.50: Area electrofished ~350m upstream of crossing 197360 in 2023.