Tributary to Owen Creek - 197378 - Appendix

Site Location

PSCIS crossing 197378 is located on Tributary to Owen Creek, on Klate Lake road. The site was located approximately 1km upstream from the confluence with Owen Creek, which drains the nearby Owen Lake. Information sourced from the provincial Forest Tenure Road Section Lines spatial layer indicates YLP Woodlands GP Ltd. (MoE 2024) is a road tenure holder at the crossing location. YLP Woodlands GP Ltd. is part of the Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership (YLP) which is the corporate business arm of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.


Background

At crossing 197378, Tributary to Owen Creek is a third order stream with a watershed area upstream of the crossing of approximately 7.9km2. The elevation of the watershed ranges from a maximum of 2073m to 758m at the crossing (Table 5.23). A total of 3ha of lake and 48ha of wetland is modelled upstream. Upstream of crossing 197378, longnose dace, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, and dolly varden have previously been recorded (MoE 2020b; Norris 2020). The nearby Owen Lake is approximately 300ha in size. Historical records of fish in this lake include rainbow trout, burbot, coho, sucker, dolly varden, lake trout, and whitefish.


Following the recommendations from the 2022 survey (provided in an initial release of this report) to perform fish sampling, crossing 197378 was revisited September 13, 2023 and electrofishing was conducted above and below the crossing to gather baseline fisheries data. Results from the sampling have been incorporated into this now updated version of this report.


fpr::fpr_table_wshd_sum(site_id = my_site) %>% 
  fpr::fpr_kable(caption_text = paste0('Summary of derived upstream watershed statistics for PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.'),
           footnote_text = 'Elev P60 = Elevation at which 60% of the watershed area is above',
           scroll = F)
Table 5.23: Summary of derived upstream watershed statistics for PSCIS crossing 197378.
Site Area Km Elev Site Elev Min Elev Max Elev Median Elev P60 Aspect
197378 7.9 758 743 2073 920 885 ENE
* Elev P60 = Elevation at which 60% of the watershed area is above


A summary of habitat modelling outputs is presented in Table 5.24. A map of the watershed is provided in map attachment 093L.104.


fpr::fpr_table_bcfp(scroll = gitbook_on)
Table 5.24: Summary of fish habitat modelling for PSCIS crossing 197378.
Habitat Potential Remediation Gain Remediation Gain (%)
ST Network (km) 12.3 12.3 100
ST Lake Reservoir (ha) 2.8 2.8 100
ST Wetland (ha) 48.3 48.3 100
ST Slopeclass03 Waterbodies (km) 1.8 0.0 0
ST Slopeclass03 (km) 0.3 0.3 100
ST Slopeclass05 (km) 0.9 0.9 100
ST Slopeclass08 (km) 7.9 7.9 100
ST Spawning (km) 0.0 0.0 –
ST Rearing (km) 0.9 0.9 100
CH Spawning (km) 0.0 0.0 –
CH Rearing (km) 0.0 0.0 –
CO Spawning (km) 0.6 0.6 100
CO Rearing (km) 0.6 0.6 100
CO Rearing (ha) – 0.0 –
SK Spawning (km) 0.0 0.0 –
SK Rearing (km) 0.0 0.0 –
SK Rearing (ha) – 0.0 –
All Spawning (km) 0.6 0.6 100
All Rearing (km) 0.9 0.9 100
All Spawning Rearing (km) 0.9 0.9 100
* Model data is preliminary and subject to adjustments.


Stream Characteristics at Crossing

At the time of the survey, PSCIS crossing 197378 was un-embedded, non-backwatered and ranked as a barrier to upstream fish passage according to the provincial protocol (MoE 2011b) (Table 5.25). The pipe was in very rough condition and had collapsed and separated in half which effected water flow into the barrel. The water temperature was 11\(^\circ\)C, pH was 7.6 and conductivity was 84uS/cm.


fpr::fpr_table_cv_summary_memo()
Table 5.25: Summary of fish passage assessment for PSCIS crossing 197378.
Location and Stream Data
Crossing Characteristics –
Date 2021-09-07 Crossing Sub Type Round Culvert
PSCIS ID 197378 Diameter (m) 1
External ID – Length (m) 15
Crew AI KP TP VJ Embedded No
UTM Zone 9 Depth Embedded (m) –
Easting 645084.9 Resemble Channel No
Northing 5998822 Backwatered No
Stream Tributary to Owen Creek Percent Backwatered –
Road Klate Lake Fill Depth (m) 2.5
Road Tenure West Fraser R04075 Outlet Drop (m) 0.1
Channel Width (m) 2.4 Outlet Pool Depth (m) 0.6
Stream Slope (%) 3 Inlet Drop Yes
Beaver Activity Yes Slope (%) 1
Habitat Value Medium Valley Fill Deep Fill
Final score 24 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: Damage to pipe. Wetland type area. 9:49 
##this is useful to get some comments for the report
hab_site %>% filter(site == my_site & location == 'ds') %>% pull(comments)
hab_site %>% filter(site == my_site & location == 'us') %>% pull(comments)

Stream Characteristics Downstream

The stream was surveyed downstream from crossing 197378 for 450m (Figure 5.37). Total cover amount was rated as abundant with overhanging vegetation dominant. Cover was also present as small woody debris and undercut banks.The dominant substrate was gravels with fines sub-dominant.The average channel width was 2.4m, the average wetted width was 1.9m, and the average gradient was 2.5%. There was a high percentage of crown closure, with riparian shrubs but a thin, coniferous forest further upland. There was an numerous pockets of gravels suitable for rainbow and dolly varden spawning. The stream appeared to have stable flows with no notable erosion. Overall, the habitat was rated as medium value for salmonid rearing and spawning.

Stream Characteristics Upstream

The stream was surveyed upstream from crossing 197378 for 665m (Figure 5.38). Total cover amount was rated as abundant with undercut banks dominant. Cover was also present as small woody debris, large woody debris, overhanging vegetation, and instream vegetation.The dominant substrate was gravels with fines sub-dominant.The average channel width was 1.8m, the average wetted width was 1.5m, and the average gradient was 3%. This was a small stream containing multiple beaver influenced wetland areas with dams. The stream was comprised of two seperate channels mapped as converging approximatley 100m upstream of the crossing. The dominant channel was the stream mapped as furthest north in the freshwater atlas. It was surveyed in an upstream direction to the location of a beaver influenced wetland. Several pockets of gravel suitable for resident rainbow and dolly varden spawning were present. Surveyors noted “nice runs” and good flow volume. The habitat was rated as medium value with moderate rearing potential. Surveyors visited the southern channel at a point approximately 350m upstream of the FSR but the stream channel at this location was very small with fine sediment substrate.


Fish Sampling

As noted above - following recommendations from the 2022 survey, crossing 197378 was revisited on September 13, 2023 and electrofishing was conducted upstream and downstream of Klate Lake. Results are summarised in Tables 5.27 - 5.28 and Figure 5.36. A total of 7 rainbow trout were captured upstream, and 11 rainbow trout were captured downstream (Figures 5.39 - 5.40). 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

Should restoration/maintenance activities proceed, replacement of PSCIS crossing 197378 with a bridge (10m span) is recommended. The cost of the work is estimated at $300,000 for a cost benefit of 1.9 linear m/$1000 and 3.4 m2/$1000.


Conclusion

There was 0.6km of habitat modelled upstream of crossing 197378 modelled as highing high intrinsic value for steelhead based on gradient and width. Areas surveyed were rated as medium value for salmonid rearing with large areas of wetland present. The culvert pipe was noted as in very poor condition with the structure near complete collapse. Although fish sampling within small areas upstream and downstream of the crossing in 2023 resulted in the capture of rainbow trout only, other species such as coho utilizing the mainstem of Owen Creek may have accessed this area historically.


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 includes restoration of this site as a project priority consideration. As the Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership is noted as a road tenure holder at the location of the site, there could be opportunities for collaboration between the two groups related to restoration or removal of the crossing. Crossing 197378 was ranked as a moderate priority for proceeding to design for replacement.



tab_hab_summary %>% 
  filter(Site  == my_site) %>% 
  # select(-Site) %>% 
  fpr::fpr_kable(caption_text = paste0('Summary of habitat details for PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.'),
                 scroll = F)
Table 5.26: Summary of habitat details for PSCIS crossing 197378.
Site Location Length Surveyed (m) Channel Width (m) Wetted Width (m) Pool Depth (m) Gradient (%) Total Cover Habitat Value
197378 Downstream 450 2.4 1.9 0.2 2.5 abundant medium
197378 Upstream 665 1.8 1.5 – 3.0 abundant medium 


fpr_table_fish_site(dat = tab_fish_sites_sum_2023, sit = my_site)
Table 5.27: Fish sampling site summary for 197378.
site passes ef_length_m ef_width_m area_m2 enclosure
197378_ds_ef1 1 7 3.0 21 Open
197378_us_ef1 1 10 2.2 22 Open 


fpr_table_fish_density(dat = fish_abund_2023, sit = my_site)
Table 5.28: Fish sampling density results summary for 197378.
local_name species_code life_stage catch density_100m2 nfc_pass
197378_ds_ef1 RB fry 5 23.8 FALSE
197378_ds_ef1 RB parr 6 28.6 FALSE
197378_us_ef1 RB fry 6 27.3 FALSE
197378_us_ef1 RB parr 1 4.5 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. 


my_caption <- paste0('Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, ' in 2023.')

fpr_plot_fish_box(dat = fish_abund_2023, sit = my_site)
Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing 197378 in 2023.

Figure 5.36: Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing 197378 in 2023. 


my_photo1 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = '_d2_')

my_caption1 = paste0('Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')
knitr::include_graphics(my_photo1)
Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197378.

Figure 5.37: Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197378. 


my_photo2 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = '_u1_')

my_caption2 = paste0('Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')
knitr::include_graphics(my_photo2)
Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197378.

Figure 5.38: Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197378. 

my_caption <- paste0('Left: ', my_caption1, ' Right: ', my_caption2)

knitr::include_graphics(my_photo1)
knitr::include_graphics("fig/pixel.png")
knitr::include_graphics(my_photo2)
my_photo1 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(dir_photos = "data/2023/photos/", str_to_pull = 'fish1')

my_caption1 = paste0('Rainbow trout captured downstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, ' in 2023.')
knitr::include_graphics(my_photo1)
Rainbow trout captured downstream of PSCIS crossing 197378 in 2023.

Figure 5.39: Rainbow trout captured downstream of PSCIS crossing 197378 in 2023. 


my_photo2 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(dir_photos = "data/2023/photos/", str_to_pull = 'fish2')

my_caption2 = paste0('Rainbow trout captured upstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, ' in 2023.')
knitr::include_graphics(my_photo2)
Rainbow trout captured upstream of PSCIS crossing 197378 in 2023.

Figure 5.40: Rainbow trout captured upstream of PSCIS crossing 197378 in 2023. 

my_caption <- paste0('Left: ', my_caption1, ' Right: ', my_caption2)

knitr::include_graphics(my_photo1)
knitr::include_graphics("fig/pixel.png")
knitr::include_graphics(my_photo2)
knitr::opts_chunk$set(echo=FALSE, message=FALSE, warning=FALSE)
source('scripts/packages.R')
source('scripts/tables.R')
my_site <- 197662
my_site2 <- 198043