ALOUETTE RESERVOIR BULL TROUT SPAWNER …a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r48823/14.ALU.02Final... · iii Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program 4. ... Alouette Reservoir Bull

ALOUETTE RESERVOIR BULL TROUT SPAWNER ABUNDANCE SURVEY AND

LIFE HISTORY INVESTIGATION

Prepared for: Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

FWCP Project No. 14.ALU.02

Prepared by: Mike Willcox

BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and

Natural Resource Operations,

Surrey, B.C.

July 2015

Prepared with financial support of the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program on

behalf of its program partners, BC Hydro, the Province of BC, Fisheries and Oceans

Canada, First Nations and the public.

Alouette Reservoir Bull Trout Spawner Abundance Survey and Life History Investigation – 2014

i Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The South Coast Fisheries program of the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural

Resource Operations (FLNRO) partnered with the Katzie First Nation and BC Parks to

investigate spawning bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Alouette Reservoir

watershed in the fall of 2014. The main goals were to determine abundance of bull trout

spawners and collect basic life history data from captured bull trout.

The investigations included a trial of a FLNRO aluminum fish fence and trap to capture,

count and sample spawning bull trout in Gold Creek, the main tributary to the Alouette

Reservoir. Several snorkel surveys were also undertaken to count spawners in Gold

Creek and angling was attempted as a method to capture and sample adult bull trout.

The project was subjected to challenges due to heavy rainfall and high stream flows

throughout the majority of the project period. The high flows in Gold Creek resulted in

damage to the fish trap so it was only functional for the first 8 days out of the 45 day

project period. During the short period of operation two adult female bull trout were

captured. At best, the repaired fence might be suitable in future for capturing

downstream migrating bull trout kelts for marking and sampling. Planning, budgeting

and implementing such a project could be difficult as weather and stream flows could

play havoc.

Three snorkel surveys were undertaken during the project period with a maximum count

of 25 adult bull trout. The fish were located in the upper reach of the portion of the

creek accessible to adfluvial fish (below the Lower Falls barrier). Conditions for

observing bull trout during the snorkel surveys were excellent during low flows as water

clarity was exceptional.

No bull trout were caught by angling despite over 80 person-hours of effort. Some

suggestions are made for future angling efforts before giving up on the method.

A series of snorkel counts undertaken annually is recommended for tracking bull trout

abundance in the watershed. The results will be particularly useful for determining the

effectiveness of the recently enacted bull trout release regulation for Alouette Reservoir.


ii Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... i

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. ii

LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... iv

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1

1.1. Background .................................................................................................................... 1

1.2. Statement of Need .......................................................................................................... 2

1.3. Goals and Objectives ...................................................................................................... 2

2. STUDY AREA .......................................................................................................................... 3

3. METHODS ............................................................................................................................... 6

3.1. Physical Conditions ........................................................................................................ 6

3.1.1. Weather ......................................................................................................... 6

3.1.2. Stream Conditions ......................................................................................... 6

3.2. Walking Surveys ............................................................................................................ 6

3.3. Fence and Trap Installation and Operation .................................................................... 6

3.3.1. Fence and Trap Description .......................................................................... 6

3.3.2. Fence and Trap Location .............................................................................. 7

3.3.3. Fence Operation ........................................................................................... 8

3.4. Angling ........................................................................................................................... 9

3.5. Fish Sampling ................................................................................................................. 9

3.6. Snorkel Swim Surveys ................................................................................................. 11


iii Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ............................................................................................ 11

4.1. Physical Conditions ...................................................................................................... 11

4.1.1. Weather ........................................................................................................ 11

4.1.2. Stream Conditions ........................................................................................ 12

4.2. Walking Surveys .......................................................................................................... 15

4.3. Fence and Trap Operation ............................................................................................ 15

4.4. Snorkel Swim Surveys ................................................................................................. 17

4.5. Angling ......................................................................................................................... 19

5. RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................................................... 20

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................... 21

7. REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 21


iv Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Location of Alouette Reservoir with respect to Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley

municipalities. Adapted from Google Maps (http://maps.google.com)....................... 3

Figure 2: Locations of the main Alouette Reservoir tributaries. Adapted from Google Earth

(www.google.com\earth\). ......................................................................................... 4

Figure 3: Gold Creek Study Area (symbols with numbers are Reach breaks). Adapted from

Google Earth (www.google.com\earth\). ..................................................................... 5

Figure 4: Completed installation of fish fence and trap on Gold Creek. ..................................... 8

Figure 5: Collapsed middle section of fence and undermined trap box on Oct 11, 2014. Top

photo was taken in early morning and bottom photo taken late afternoon. ............... 10

Figure 6: Daily Precipitation at Gold Creek Climate Station, Oct 1-Nov 15, 2014. ................. 12

Figure 7: Water Survey of Canada hydrograph for Coquitlam River upstream of Coquitlam

Reservoir for the period Oct 1, 2014 to Nov 15, 2014. .............................................. 13

Figure 8: Extremes of flows observed at fence site. Top photo taken Oct 2, 2014; bottom photo

taken Oct 22, 2014. Note debris line from overnight high water by truck tire in

bottom photo. ............................................................................................................. 14

Figure 9: One of two female bull trout caught in the trap. ........................................................ 16

Figure 10: Snorkel Surveys Summary of Bull Trout Distribution. ............................................. 18


1 Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

I. INTRODUCTION

A. BACKGROUND

The South Coast Fisheries program of the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural

Resource Operations (FLNRO) partnered with the Katzie First Nation and BC Parks to

investigate spawning bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Alouette Reservoir

watershed in the fall of 2014. The project built on the initial efforts of Ladell and

McCubbing (2009) and FLNRO Fisheries personnel (unpublished internal data) to

assess bull trout abundance in the watershed.

Ladell and McCubbing noted the absence of any long-term assessment of the status or

trends in in the reservoir’s bull trout populations. They identified Gold Creek as the

only tributary with significant potential spawning habitat and investigated the feasibility

of using redd counts to track abundance of bull trout spawners. Conducting walking

surveys during what they considered to be the expected time of spawning, they observed

a few adult bull trout but no redds in Gold Creek in late August and September, 2008.

Instead of walking surveys, they recommended a number of snorkel surveys be

undertaken between mid and late September in Gold Creek. Expansion of bull trout

spawner surveys to all streams with potential for spawning habitats was also

recommended.

FLNRO Fisheries suspected the 2008 survey was carried out too early to observe bull

trout spawning redds. Stream walks by a FLNRO biologist throughout October 2012

resulted in a maximum daily count of 13 adult bull trout in Gold Creek (FLNRO,

internal data). Spawning pairs were observed on redds once the water temperature

decreased to 9° C in mid-October and two pairs were observed spawning in late

October. In 2013, 10 adult bull trout, all in the vicinity of redds, were counted during a

single-diver snorkel survey on October 18. The observations by FLNRO biologists

indicate that the spawning period for bull trout in Gold Creek is likely mid- to late

October rather than mid- to late September.

Provincial biologists also conducted reconnaissance surveys on Moyer Creek and the

upper Alouette River in Aug 2012. Areas of suitable spawning and rearing habitats for

bull trout were very limited. No juvenile bull trout were captured by electro-fishing but

the survey was not to provincial standards so presence/absence could not be confirmed.

The purposes of this project were to continue testing methods for assessing and tracking

abundance of bull trout spawners in the Alouette Reservoir watershed and collect basic

life history information from captured fish.



B. STATEMENT OF NEED

The bull trout is on the Provincial Blue List (special concern) in British Columbia.

Federally, the South Coast British Columbia population has been assessed as Special

Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

(COSEWIC).

The COSEWIC assessment is partly based on the unique anadromous life history of

populations in the South Coast. It is conceivable that an anadromous population of bull

trout was impacted by the construction of the Alouette Dam.

The currently available information on the abundance of bull trout spawners in the

watershed indicates that the population may be very low and potentially at risk of

extinction. Thus provincial Fisheries consider management of the Alouette Reservoir

bull trout population a high priority.

A better understanding of the reservoir’s current bull trout stock status (population and

distribution) and basic life history characteristics (migration timing, age at spawning,

sex ratios) is needed to effectively manage the population.

Based on preliminary stock assessment findings, FLRNO biologists have taken a

precautionary approach and implemented a “no retention of bull trout” regulation on

Alouette Reservoir effective April 1, 2015. Previously, retention of 1 bull trout of any

size was allowed. No retention of bull trout is allowed in streams so no changes to the

regulations for the reservoir’s tributaries were necessary. Long-term assessment of the

abundance of spawners will be useful in determining if the new regulation is effective in

increasing the population.

With respect to the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, this project aligns with

proposed actions listed under sub-objective 2 of the Alouette Salmonid Action Plan -

“Maximize the viability of resident salmonids” (BC Hydro FWCP, 2011). The primary

actions required for resident salmonids (e.g. adfluvial bull trout) are to develop a better

understanding of present stock status and identify limiting factors and restoration

options. This project supports these primary actions through development of stock

assessment tools and collection of life history information.

C. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The main goals of this project were: 1) to contribute towards the development of a long-

term program to monitor the abundance of bull trout spawners in the Alouette Reservoir

watershed, and 2) collect basic life history information from bull trout spawners. These

goals are directed towards providing information to assist in future fishery and

conservation management decisions.



The specific objectives of the project were to:

1) Install a fish fence and trap system on Gold Creek designed to capture

upstream and downstream migrating adult fish and operate the fence and

trap during the bull trout spawning period as much as weather, streamflow

and budget allow.

2) Assess angling as a method to capture bull trout spawners for sampling and

marking.

3) Enumerate, mark and sample all fish caught by the trap and angling.

4) Conduct snorkel swims to count bull trout spawners.

II. STUDY AREA

Alouette Reservoir is a 17km long reservoir with a full pool area of 1,666 ha located in

a steep-sided glacial trench within the Coast Mountains about 16 km northeast of Maple

Ridge, British Columbia (Figure 1). The west shore and part of the southeast shore of

the south basin are within Golden Ears Provincial Park.

Figure 1: Location of Alouette Reservoir with respect to Metro Vancouver and

Fraser Valley municipalities. Adapted from Google Maps

(http://maps.google.com).



The reservoir was formed by the construction of the Alouette Dam in 1928 which raised

the level of two existing lakes approximately 15 metres. Prior to flooding, the two lakes

were joined by a short, interconnecting river. The resulting reservoir comprises a larger

south basin and smaller north basin, joined by a narrow section approximately 9 km

upstream from the dam. The bio-physical properties of the reservoir have been

extensively studied under the BC Ministry of Environment’s Alouette Reservoir

Fertilization Program which has a main goal of restoration and enhancement of the

reservoir’s kokanee fishery (Harris et al. 2007).

The major tributaries (and drainage areas) to the reservoir are Gold Creek (89.4 km2),

Moyer Creek (20.2 km2) and the upper Alouette River (17.9 km2) (Figure 2). Gold

Creek is the largest tributary (> 40% of inflow) with peak summer flows from 4 to 20

m3/s and minimum September flows as low as 0.46 m

3/s (Wilson et al. 2000).

Figure 2: Locations of the main Alouette Reservoir tributaries. ). Adapted from Google

Earth (www.google.com\earth\)

Ladell and McCubbing (2008) identified Gold Creek as the only tributary with

significant potential bull trout spawning habitat thus it was the focus of this project. The

specific area of interest is the lower reach of the creek available to adfluvial fish,



extending from the confluence with the reservoir upstream 3.8 km to the Lower Falls

barrier. The bull trout accessible portion was broken down into three distinct habitat-

based reaches identified by Griffith (1983) (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Gold Creek Study Area (symbols with numbers are Reach breaks). Adapted

from Google Earth (www.google.com\earth\).



III. METHODS

A. PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

1. Weather

General weather observations were made during each site visit by the Katzie

technicians. Precipitation data for the project period was obtained from BC Hydro for

their Gold Creek Weather Station which is located at 794 m elevation near the

headwaters of Gold Creek between Alouette and Pitt Lakes.

2. Stream Conditions

General stream flow observations (height and clarity) were made during each site visit

by the Katzie technicians. A staff gauge was installed near the fence site for relative

water level information only – no flow data was gathered during the project. Water

temperature was taken at the fence site with a hand held thermometer during each visit.

B. WALKING SURVEYS

A walking survey was undertaken from top to bottom of Reach 3 of Gold Creek by a

single observer on Sept 11, 2014, prior to the fence installation. General observations of

fish or redd sightings were also recorded while angling.

Walking surveys of Moyer Cr and the upper Alouette River were planned for mid- to

late October to coincide with the suspected peak of bull trout spawning in Gold Creek.

These streams are accessed by boating up Alouette Reservoir from the public boat

launch in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Unfortunately, these surveys could not proceed

due to inclement weather and high water throughout the latter half of October.

A walking survey of Evans Creek, a tributary to Gold Creek (see Figure 3), was done on

November 6, 2014. The creek was accessed by walking up the West Canyon Trail on

the west side of Gold Creek to where the trail crossed Evans Creek. Two Fisheries

personnel walked and waded down the creek to assess potential for bull trout spawning

and rearing.

C. FENCE AND TRAP INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

1. Fence and Trap Description

The fish fence and trap used for this project are the property of the FLNRO South Coast

Fisheries. They have been used previously for a bull trout spawner assessment on Phelix



Creek, a tributary of Birkenhead Lake in Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park (Jesson

2003).

The fence and trap are constructed primarily of welded aluminum. The fence portion

consists of two different forms of rectangular panels. Original panels were 4 ft. high by

2 ft. wide with a grill of flat aluminum bars to prevent large fish passage. Panels

constructed later are 3 ft. wide by 4 ft. high (i.e. slightly wider to reduce the number of

panels required) with a tubular aluminum grill (thought to be less damaging to fish than

the edges of the flat bars).

Each panel has a v-shaped stand that is hinged at the top of the panel. The panels are

placed in the stream channel perpendicular to the flow with the grill side facing

upstream and the leg supporting the panel on the downstream side. The leg is held in

place with rebar driven into the stream bed and sand bags are used along the base of the

fence panels to provide additional support and seal all potential fish passage ways. The

panels are lashed together with tie-wraps. Each panel is also anchored on the upstream

side by rebar and chain. The trap is anchored by a rope tied to tree. If necessary, snow

fencing is used on each end of the fence to extend coverage to the high water mark.

The rectangular trap box comprises two 4 foot square end panels and two 4 ft. x 8 ft.

side panels with flat bar grills to prevent large fish passage. The bottom 4 ft. x 8 f.t

panel is perforated sheet aluminum. The top is two hinged plywood panels that are lifted

to look for and remove captured fish. A half sheet of plywood is placed over the

upstream end panel during operation to protect captured fish from strong flow-through

currents.

Each side panel of the trap has a 2 ft. square opening in one bottom corner for fish entry.

The design allows separate entry points for fish migrating both upstream and

downstream. A removable insert slides into place on the inside of the opening. The

insert has plastic flaps angling inwards that allow fish to enter but not leave the trap.

The openings can be sealed with a piece of plywood if fish are to be excluded from

either upstream or downstream entry. Figure 4 is a photo of the completed installation

on Gold Creek.

2. Fence and Trap Location

The fence and trap were installed on Gold Creek approximately 100 metres upstream of

the lower end of Reach 3 (see Figure 3). The location was chosen based on ease of

access by vehicle from the Lower Falls Trail, a relatively smooth channel configuration,

gravel and small cobble substrate composition and the suspicion that most if not all

spawning occurs upstream of the location.



Figure 4: Completed installation of fish fence and trap on Gold Creek.

3. Fence Operation

The planned date for installation of the fence was September 29, 2014, but this was

postponed to October 2 because stream flow was too high on the 29th due to heavy rain

all day on September 26.

The planned operational period was 45 days based on available funds – i.e. until

November 15. It was understood that continuous operation during this period would

probably not be possible due to high water events from precipitation. The goal was thus

to operate it as much as possible during this period.

It was hoped that during this period, almost all out-migrating kelts could be captured in

order to obtain a population estimate. The main objective was to capture and sample

downstream migrating kelts but upstream migrating fish would be sampled as well with

minimal handling to reduce stress on the unspawned fish.

The Katzie technicians visited the trap site a minimum of twice daily, normally first

thing in the morning and then again in late afternoon to check trap for captures, clear

debris from the fence/trap and make any other necessary adjustments.

On the first morning of operation, October 3, it was discovered that the plywood in the

middle of the trap box that separated the upstream and downstream sections of the trap

had been forced out of its slots by the eddying currents within the trap. It was put back

in place for the next night as stream flow was dropping. On October 4, the trap was



moved closer to the left bank out of the thalweg to reduce flow pressure on the

plywood.

Overnight October 10-11 a rainfall raised the river level and brought down a large

amount of leaves. In the morning the middle portion of the fence between the trap box

and right bank was sagging under the weight of leaves and current and water was

overtopping it. The trap box had been undermined and was tilted. The conditions were

too hazardous for the technicians to be able to remove the leaves and straighten the

fence. It continued to rain lightly by the end of the afternoon the middle portion of the

fence had collapsed entirely (Figure 5).

The water level dropped enough overnight October 11-12 to be able to access the

middle portion of the fence. As more rain was in the forecast, the decision was made to

remove the collapsed section of the fence to reduce pressure on the remaining portions

and wait until the water level receded enough to reinstall the fence portions.

The trap box and a few sections on the perimeter were left in place. A heavy rain

starting in the afternoon of October 13 and continuing overnight into the 14th caused

Gold Creek to rise extremely high. The trap box was no longer at the site and was

observed to be about 60 metres downstream. Additional heavy rain the next night

caused it to be pushed another 100 metres downstream.

When water levels eventually dropped enough, the trap box was pulled out and found to

be damaged to the extent that it could no longer be used for the project. The fence and

trap were thus functioning properly for a total of only 8 nights, from October 2 to

October 10. It wasn’t until November 2 that the water level dropped enough to allow

recovery of all remaining fence materials from the stream.

D. ANGLING

Ministry staff and the Katzie technicians angled with various baits, artificial baits and

lures throughout Reach 3 where bull trout were known to be present and at a few areas

downstream and at the mouth of Gold Creek. Over 80 person hours were spent angling

from September 29 to November 15, 2014.

E. FISH SAMPLING

Individual fish data (direction of migration, sex, maturity, condition, fork length) were

collected for all bull trout captured in the trap. All fish captured were also marked with

a pink floy tag through the base of the dorsal fin. In addition, a pelvic fin ray clip was to

be taken from all kelts for subsequent aging. Anaesthesia with a clove oil/alcohol

mixture was to be used when taking the fin ray samples.



The same data collection protocol applied to all bull trout captured by angling with the

exception that direction of migration was not included.

Non-target fish captured in the trap or by angling were to be identified by species and

measured for fork length.

Figure 5: Collapsed middle section of fence and undermined trap box on Oct 11, 2014.

Top photo was taken in early morning and bottom photo taken late afternoon.



F. SNORKEL SWIM SURVEYS

Snorkel swim surveys by two experienced FLNRO swimmers, each generally covering

one half of the channel, were undertaken from the top to bottom of Reach 3 of Gold

Creek on both October 3, the day after fence installation, and November 18, the final

day of the project.

A snorkel survey with only one swimmer was undertaken on November 16. This was

the first opportunity to swim the creek following the long period of rain and high water

throughout most of October and into November. The purpose of this swim was to do

spot checks in the most suitable spawning habitats to determine if adult bull trout were

still present. As 5 bull trout were counted, the final two-swimmer survey of the whole

reach was done on the 18th

.

Stream conditions were low and very clear and the sky was clear during all snorkels.

Starting time was approximately 10:00am for all swims and they took a little over an

hour to complete.

A snorkel survey was planned within the last two weeks of October when the peak of

bull trout spawning is suspected but couldn’t be carried out because the water level was

too high from the first heavy rains around October 11 until mid-November.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

1. Weather

The weather during the project period was generally mild and very wet. Following a

short span of good weather up to October 9, 2014, it rained every day until November

10. Air temperatures recorded at the trap site by the technicians ranged from 7ºC to

20ºC throughout October and into the first week of November. Air temperatures

dropped significantly after November 10 when night skies cleared with -1ºC being

recorded on the morning of November 12.

Total precipitation was much heavier than normal during the project period. The norm

for October at BC Hydro’s Gold Creek Weather Station for the period 1981-2010 is

430.6 mm while the total for October in 2014 was 690.3 mm – i.e. 160% above normal.

Figure 6 illustrates daily precipitation during the project period recorded at the Gold

Creek Weather Station.



Figure 6: Daily Precipitation at Gold Creek Climate Station, Oct 1-Nov 15, 2014.

2. Stream Conditions

Gold Creek flows were low enough for fence operation for only about a week at both

the beginning and end of the fence project period (i.e. October 4 to November 15). For

the remainder of the period high, flashy flows were the norm due to consistent rainfall.

Stream flow data was not collected for Gold Creek during the project. The staff gauge

that was installed downstream and across from the access point at the fence and trap site

was totally submerged for most of the project period. The conditions experienced at

Gold Creek can be illustrated using Water Survey of Canada data for the Upper

Coquitlam River (Figure 7). This stream, which flows into the Coquitlam Reservoir, is

relatively close to Gold Creek and flows through similar terrain so it is assumed that its

flows reflect those of Gold Creek. Figure 8 shows photos of the extremes of flow levels

observed at the fence and trap site on Gold Creek.

Water temperatures recorded by the technicians at the fence site generally ranged

between 13ºC and 10ºC until the last week of October and first week of November

when they were consistently close to 9ºC. After November 10 the water temperatures

dropped quickly with a final reading on November 18 of 5ºC.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 02 04 06 08 10 12 14

Pre

cip

itat

ion

(m

m)

Date



Figure 7: Water Survey of Canada hydrograph for Coquitlam River upstream of

Coquitlam Reservoir for the period Oct 1, 2014 to Nov 15, 2014.

Water temperature has been documented as being a cue to bull trout life history aspects

(e.g. McPhail and Murray 1979, Fraley and Shepard 1989). For example, Fraley and

Shepard documented bull trout migration to spawning areas when the water temperature

dropped below 12 ºC. Both McPhail and Murray and Fraley and Shepard reported that

bull trout spawning began when the water temperature dropped below 9 ºC. As water

temperature plays an important role in bull trout life history, consideration should be

given to long-term collection of temperature data for Gold Creek using dataloggers.

This will assist in potentially correlating bull trout life history aspects with water

temperature as data from future bull trout investigations accumulate.



Figure 8: Extremes of flows observed at fence site. Top photo taken Oct 2, 2014;

bottom photo taken Oct 22, 2014. Note debris line from overnight high water

by truck tire in bottom photo.



B. WALKING SURVEYS

No adult bull trout were observed during the September 11, 2014, walking survey of

Reach 3. The water level was very low and visibility was excellent. The most pertinent

observation was that no bull trout were present in the area approximately 300 metres

downstream of the Lower Falls where bull trout had been observed by Fisheries

personnel in the preceding two years during late September and throughout October into

November. The area is considered to be a main “staging area” for bull trout spawners.

Bull trout had either not yet entered the creek by this time or were possibly located

elsewhere such as in deep pools in the very lower reaches or in the Lower Falls plunge

pool or the deeper pockets just downstream of the plunge pool where fish cannot be

observed from the bank.

The first observations of bull trout were on September 29 and 30, 2014, while angling in

the above-mentioned “staging area”. One fish was noticed moving on the 29th

when

stream flow was medium high and clear. The next afternoon when the flow was lower, 4

large bull trout were observed holding in the staging area. It thus seems that bull trout

spawners made their way upstream to the staging area during the higher flows after the

heavy rain on Sept 26. They could have entered the stream from the reservoir at that

time or moved up from deep pools in the lower reaches.

During the survey of Evans Creek on November 6, 2014, the creek was observed to be

high gradient with unstable substrate for approximately 300 metres downstream of the

West Canyon Trail. The observers were not able to make it any further downstream as it

became very steep with hazardous windfalls and thick brush. Any suitable bull trout

spawning or rearing habitat would have to be in the lower gradient section upstream of

the confluence with Gold Creek. This section would be accessible by wading across

Gold Creek during low water and should be surveyed during the latter half of October

for adults and during later summer/early fall for juvenile bull trout.

C. FENCE AND TRAP OPERATION

On the first morning of operation, October 3, 2014, it was discovered that the plywood

in the middle of the trap box that separated the upstream and downstream sections of the

trap had been forced out of place by eddying currents. Thus if any fish had been

captured, their direction of travel could not have been determined. The board was put

back in place for the next night as the stream flow was decreasing but on October 4 the

trap box was moved closer to the left bank out of the thalweg to reduce flow pressure on

the plywood. Consideration should be given to modifying the design of the trap box to

avoid this problem in future. A perforated heavy gauge aluminum sheet may be more

appropriate than plywood for the box divider.

Two mature female bull trout were captured in the trap on the night of October 3-4, the

second night of operation of the fence and trap. One fish measuring 52cm was traveling



upstream and a 63 cm fish was caught moving downstream. Both females were

beginning to show spawning colouration but no signs of tail wear or spilling eggs

(Figure 9). Each fish was quickly measured, tagged with a floy tag and released a short

distance from the fence in the direction they were traveling.

Figure 9: One of two female bull trout caught in the trap.

No more fish were caught over the next week of operation before extreme high flows

damaged the trap.

The first increases in stream flow due to rain on October 10 and 11 revealed problems

with use of the fence at the chosen location. There was undermining of substrate along

the fence and trap, indicating that the substrate was too unstable in the area. Although

the loose sand, gravel and small cobble substrate made installation of anchors easy, a

location with more stable substrate might allow the fence to withstand slightly higher

flows in Gold Creek.

The capture of the two fish confirmed that the trap can be used to catch bull trout in

Gold Creek when stream discharge is low. It is assumed that downstream migrating

kelts would have entered the trap later in the season if it was operational. However, the

probability of stream discharge being suitable for fence operation during the entire

downstream migration is probably very low. Thus it is not feasible to use the fence as a



means of determining absolute abundance of spawning bull trout. At best, the fence is

suitable for capturing bull trout for sampling and marking.

D. SNORKEL SWIM SURVEYS

Figure 10 summarizes the distribution of bull trout counted in Reach 3 during each

snorkel swim. The first swim on October 3, 2014, the day after installation of the fence,

resulted in a count of 25 adult bull trout upstream of the fence. This confirmed that they

had migrated upstream past the fence location prior to October 2, 2014. The fish were

spread out from the upstream limit of migration in the Lower Falls plunge pool down to

approximately 50 metres upstream of the fence location. All fish appeared to be in good

condition and no spawning activity was observed.

Of particular note was that the 3 fish observed in the Lower Falls plunge pool were

smaller (approx. 30-35cm) than the downstream fish and thus might have been

immature. The other fish were all sizeable (> 40cm) and exhibited signs of maturity

such as spawning colouration and kypes in males.

Four of the 5 fish observed on November 14th

and 2 of the 3 fish on the 18th

were

identified as males that were in rough shape from spawning. They were located in the

area approximately 300 metres downstream of the Lower Falls which appears to be the

main bull trout spawning area in Gold Creek. Fraley and Shepard (1989) noted that

female bull trout left spawning areas sooner than males. A solitary, unspawned female

was observed in the same location during both swims near the downstream end of a

long pool approximately 300 metres upstream from the fence location.

It appeared as though all spawning was completed prior to November 14, 2014, and

most fish had returned to the reservoir or were downstream of Reach 3 on their way

back to the reservoir. The solitary, unspawned female could have arrived late or may

have not been able to find a mate.

The experienced Fisheries snorkelers were confident that observer efficiency was high

given the very clear water and low habitat complexity. They noted, however, that

careful observation around any wood debris was necessary as fish were sometimes

tucked away in small clumps of stream bank roots or fallen trees.



Figure 10: Snorkel Surveys Summary of Bull Trout Distribution



To date, snorkel surveys appear to be the best tool for assessing relative abundance of

bull trout spawners in Gold Creek. Success will no doubt vary year to year given the

normal precipitation regime in the fall season and the flashiness of flows in Gold Creek.

E. ANGLING

No bull trout were caught by angling. The only fish caught by angling were a northern

pike minnow and a cutthroat trout, both approximately 22cm in length. The cutthroat

was caught on November 2, 2014, in the vicinity of the fence site after it had been

removed. The pike minnow was caught downstream of the park road bridge on Sept 29,

2014.

Regional Fisheries personnel are aware of biologists in other regions having similar lack

of success angling for spawning bull trout. It’s conceivable that they cease feeding

during the spawning period but it seems odd that kelts could not be caught.

Angling for bull trout in the Alouette Reservoir tributaries appears to be a very

inefficient method of capture for sampling and marking fish. It is possible, however,

that some fish move from the warm reservoir into the stream well before spawning (e.g.

July or Aug) and take refuge in the cooler waters of the creek. These fish may be more

receptive to angling efforts.



V. RECOMMENDATIONS

Continue to monitor relative abundance of bull trout spawners in Gold Creek

through the use of an annual series of snorkel surveys. The preference would be to

undertake several surveys of the same reach or reaches at the same time every

year but fall weather and flashy flows will interfere on some if not most years.

Even so, as the data builds, survey results at any given time during the spawning

season will be of value.

Consider the use of the fence and trap in future for capture of bull trout kelts to

obtain biological samples and mark fish with PIT tags in combination with visual

marks. This would allow tracking of repeat spawners and potentially aid in

determination of snorkeling efficiency and absolute abundance. The planning and

logistics of such a project would be challenging though. Project personnel would

need a high degree of schedule flexibility as the fence might have to be removed

and replaced on short notice based on weather forecasts.

Conduct walking surveys of Moyer Creek and the upper Alouette River and the

lower reach of Evans Creek during the last half of October to look for spawning

bull trout.

Attempt angling to capture, sample and mark adult bull trout in the lower areas of

Gold Creek and the Lower Falls plunge pool and vicinity in July and August.

Carry out long-term water temperature monitoring of Gold Creek using

temperature dataloggers to potentially correlate water temperature with bull trout

life history aspects such as migration and spawning timing.



VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The project was carried out in partnership with the Katzie First Nation. Debbie Miller

served as Project Coordinator, George Moody and Pamela McCotter were the field

technicians and Denise Heron provided office assistance.

BC Parks Supervisor, Tom Blackbird, facilitated access to the project site.

Colleagues of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

contributing to the project were Scott Barrett, Manager, Environmental Stewardship,

Duane Jesson, Senior Fish Biologist, Kenji Miyazaki, Fish Biologist and Iain Lunn, Fish

Biologist.

Funding was provided through the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program.

VII. REFERENCES

BC Hydro Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. 2011. Alouette Watershed –

Salmonid Action Plan. Prepared for BC Hydro.

Fraley, J.J. and B.B. Shepard. 1989. Life History, Ecology and Population Status of

Migrating Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Flathead Lake and River

System, Montana. Northwest Science 63: 133-143.

Griffith, R.P. 1983. Assessment of steelhead fry releases and trout enhancement

potential in Gold Creek (trib. to Alouette Lake). Prepared for BC Ministry of

Environment.

Harper, D and G. Wilson. 2009. Gold Creek Nutrient and Productivity Status: 2008

Project Final Report. Prepared for BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife

Restoration Program. BCRP Project # 08.ALU.03.

Harris, S.L., S. Reddekopp, H. Andrusak, G. Andrusak, L. Vidmanic, D. Sebastion, G.

Scholten & N.E. Down. 2007. The Alouette Reservoir Fertilization Program,

2003-2006. BC Ministry of Environment, Fisheries Project Report No. RD 124.

Jesson, D.A. 2003. Birkenhead Lake Bull Trout Conservation Spawner Assessment

2001 & 2002. Prepared for the B.C. Habitat Conservation Trust Fund.

Ladell, J and D.J.F. McCubbing. 2009. Alouette Reservoir Bull Trout Enumeration,

2008. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment.



McPhail, J.D. and C.B. Murray. 1979. The Early Life-History and Ecology of Dolly

Varden (Salvelinus malma) in the Upper Arrow Lakes. Prepared for B.C. Hydro

and B.C. Fish and Wildlife.

Wilson, G.A., R.W. Land, K. Ashley, T. Berkhout, F. Pick, M. McCusker, G. Scholten

and D. Sebastian. 2000. The Alouette Reservoir Fertilization Experiment: Year

Two (1999) Report, the First Summer of Fertilization. B.C. Ministry of

Environment, Fisheries Project Report No. RD85.

Documents

ALOUETTE RESERVOIR BULL TROUT SPAWNER …a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r48823/14.ALU.02Final... · iii Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program 4. ... Alouette Reservoir Bull