Biodiversity draft8

Sunshine Coast Conservation Association

Understanding Biodiversity in Coastal Forested Landscapes
Sunshine Coast Forest District

Introduction

 Sunshine Coast Forest District

 Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification System

 Landscape Units

 Forest Cover

 Areas at High Risk of Species Extinction

 Fisheries Significant Watersheds

 Critical Habitat

 Conservation Priorities for Protecting Biological Diversity


 Geographic Landscape
Strathcona RD
 Political Landscape
 Town of Gibsons
 District of Sechelt
 Sechelt Indian Government
District
 Sunshine Coast Regional Powell River
District SCRD

 Powell River Regional
Sechelt
District
Gibsons
West
Vancouver

Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification System

BEC Classification System
 www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/becweb/
 Organizes ecosystems
at 3 levels of integration  VEGETATION Classification
1. Regional
 CLIMATIC (Zonal) Classification
2. Local
3. Chronological  SITE Classification

 Framework for  SERAL Classification
integrated resource
management  Naming BEC Units

BEC Zones of BC

BEC Zones of the SCFD

BEC Subzones of the SCFD

 CDF Zone Photographs

Coastal Douglas Fir Zone

 CDF mm-02

 Sea-side forest

 Very dry forest that supports Douglas Fir, Arbutus and Shore Pine


 CDF mm-02

 Extremely Dry


 CDF

 Fairy Slipper
(Calypso Bulbosa)

 CDF mm-02

 Extremely Dry


 CDF

 Douglas
Fir Trees in
a dune
forest on
Savary
Island


 Coastal Western Hemlock very dry maritime zonal site 01 (CWHxm-01)

 The ‘average’ site of this zone

 Douglas Fir appears as
the pioneer species
with Western Red
Cedar and Western
Hemlock in the
understory

Coastal Western Hemlock Zone

 CWH very dry maritime zone 12 – Very Wet

 These sites feature
ephemeral ponds,
fluctuating water
tables, skunk
cabbage and a
component of Sitka
Spruce (shown).

 Skunk Cabbage

Coastal Western Hemlock Zone

 Mature Yellow Cedar  Amabilus Fir

Mountain Hemlock Zone

 New seedlings of
Mountain Hemlock

 Mountain Hemlock trees and
forest floor


 MHmm-08/09

 Wetter site types in the Mountain Hemlock (MH) Zone. Almost everything in the
MH that is flat is wet with a fluctuating water table. This giant ‘sponge’ holds
water year round, slowly releasing it to the forests below.


Edatopic Grids | Biogeoclimatic Ecosystems

 Grid No. 16 CWHxm

 Grid No.

 Grid No.

 Grid No.

 Grid No.

 Grid No.

 Grid No.

Homathco

Bute Southgate Bishop
West

Bute
East Toba

Brem

Quatam
Powell
Daniels
Skwawka
Cortes
Powell
Lake Brittain
Bunster
Jervis

Lois

Salmon

Sechelt

Howe

Chapman

Landscape Units in the SCFD
Priority Biodiversity Planning

 Photo taken from the Lois Landscape Unit showing the ferry approaching Saltery Bay
 Haslam Landscape Unit
 Lois Landscape Unit

Coastal Western Hemlock Forest Zone

 View from Tin Hat Mountain on the Sunshine
Coast Trail

Mount Troubridge

Lois Lake
Horseshoe Lake
Nanton Lake
Haslam Lake

Lewis Lake

 Haslam Landscape Unit is on the right
 Lois Landscape Unit is in on the left
 Georgia Strait is in the background


 the picture is taken from within the Homathko Landscape Unit (LU)
 the lands and mountains on the right side are the Bute West LU
 the lands and mountains on the left are primarily the Bute East LU
 the near valley on the lower left side is the Southgate River valley and is in the Southgate LU.

Homathko River


 Tetrahedron Peak as seen from Mt. Steel in the Chapman Landscape Unit
 Howe Landscape Unit is behind the peak and in the right hand side of the photo
 Salmon Landscape Unit is in the left hand side of the photo


 Tzoonie Watershed and the head of Narrows Inlet


 Mouth of Jervis Inlet with the Jervis Landscape Unit on the right hand side


Homathco

Bute Southgate Bishop
West

Bute
East Toba

Brem

Quatam
Powell
Daniels
Skwawka
Cortes
Powell
Lake Brittain
Bunster
Jervis

Lois

Salmon

Sechelt

Howe

Chapman

BEC Subzones by Landscape Unit
Priority Biodiversity Planning

Priority Landscape Units

 Landscape Units
 Sechelt LU

 Chapman LU Toba

 Toba LU

 Classifications
 BEC Subzones
Sechelt
 Forestry Age Class
Chapman

BEC Subzones
Chapman Landscape Unit

BEC Subzones
Sechelt Landscape Unit

BEC Subzones
Toba Landscape Unit

Forestry Age Classes

Sechelt Landscape Unit

Chapman Landscape Unit

Toba Landscape Unit

Old Growth Management Areas

OGMA Old Growth
Areas which contain, or
 All Coast region forests more than
are managed to replace,
250 years old.
specific structural old-
growth attributes and that  A forest that contains live and
are identified and treated dead trees of various sizes,
as special management species, composition and age
areas. class structure.
 A slowly changing but dynamic
ecosystem, includes climax forests
but not sub-climax or mid-seral
forests.

 Structural Features
OGMA
 large trees for the species and site
Areas which contain, or  wide variation in tree sizes and
are managed to replace, spacing
specific structural old-  accumulations of large dead
growth attributes and that standing and fallen trees
are identified and treated  multiple canopy layers
as special management
 canopy gaps and understory
areas.
patchiness
 elements of decay - broken or
deformed tops or trunks and root
decay
 the presence of species
characteristic of old growth

Powell
Daniels
Skwawka

Powell
Lake

Bunster

Lois

Sechelt

Chapman


Fisheries Significant Watersheds
 Large Watersheds  Smaller, Regional Watersheds
1. Anderson Creek
1. Brem River
2. Brittain River 2. Angus Creek
3. Chapman Creek 3. Carlson Creek
4. Deserted River
5. Homathko 4. Chaster Creek
6. Hunaechin Creek 5. Dakota Creek
7. Lang River 6. Daniels Creek
8. Lois River
9. Orford River 7. Myrtle Creek
10. Potato Creek 8. Ouillet Creek
11. Sakinaw Lake
9. Potato Creek
12. Skwawka River
13. Southgate 10. Twin Creeks
14. Theodosia River 11. Whitail Creek
15. Toba River
12. Wilson Creek
16. Tzoonie River
17. Vancouver River

1. Brem River
2. Brittain River
3. Chapman Creek
4. Deserted River
5. Homathko
6. Hunaechin Creek
7. Lang River
8. Lois River
9. Orford River
10. Potato Creek
11. Sakinaw Lake
12. Skwawka River
13. Southgate
14. Theodosia River
15. Toba River
16. Tzoonie River
17. Vancouver River

Large Fisheries Significant Watersheds

BREM RIVER SUMMARY
The Brem River historically had peak annual escapements of 10,000 Coho
(1970), 35,000 Pinks, 7,500 Chum, 2,000 Chinook (1970) and 3,500
Steelhead. It was described as a very stable river and an excellent
producer of Coho, Pinks and Steelhead in 1959. Within a few years, the
effects of logging were noted: in 1965, half the redds were lost due to
unstable discharge; in 1979, a 20’ change between summer and winter
flows was distinguished and, in 1984, most of the lower river was scarred
and eroded. A Watershed Restoration Program proposal in 1994 indicated
that the river still supported an important and uncommon summer run
Steelhead as well as a winter run Steelhead, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout
and Dolly Varden in addition to the salmon species. It recommended road
deactivation, slope stabilization and erosion control.

The Klahoose First Nation has lands located at the mouth of the Brem
River and, in their Statement of Intent with the BC Treaty Commission
(1994), claims traditional rights to the river. Fish stock assessments and
escapement estimates were conducted in the 1990’s. In 2001, a Fish and
Fish Habitat Inventory was released after it was identified by the Klahoose
and the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks as a priority
watershed for fisheries inventory/management.
The most recent maximum annual escapements available for Pink (1989-
98) is 2,500; 361 Chum (1989-98); 02 Chinook (1989-98) and zero Coho
(1985-94).

The Brem is still considered (2009) a major system both for the production
of Pink and Chum in the Inner South Coast with operational management
escapement goals of 35,000 and 15,000 respectively.


BREM RIVER WATERSHED

BRITTAIN RIVER SUMMARY
This watershed was logged extensively in the 1930’s and suffered a
severe forest fire in 1951. Much of the spawning gravel was lost; the water
was considered unstable and a bad run-off was noted in 1961. Peak
escapements occurred in 1937 with 7,500 each of Chum and Pink and
1,500 Coho. Recent records (1983-2000) show that the maximum annual
escapement for Coho was 1,100; the Pink maximum (1989-1998) was
2,500 and the Chum 1,500 (1990-2000).
In 1994, the terrain was mapped with evaluations of slope stability and
hazard potential to aid in the development of forestry in the upper reaches
of the watershed. Another report that year noted the logging related
impacts to fish habitat and the requirement for remedial wildlife estuarine
works and grizzly bear oriented riparian improvements.
According to the Sechelt Land Use Plan (Draft 2007), all of the Brittain
River watershed is considered have an extremely high cultural and spiritual
value; and the key management issue is rehabilitation of fisheries values. A
Preliminary Anadromous Salmonid Assessment (2008) conducted in the
lower two reaches assessed those habitats as poor with opportunities for
remedial work. In 2009, the river was nonetheless considered to be one of
the major systems for Pinks and one of 36 Chum spawning streams
identified within the Jervis Inlet Management Area, Statistical Area 16.
In addition, there are observations recorded for Dolly Varden, Rainbow
Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Steelhead. Steelhead were observed in the river
in 1976 -77, and in 1979. As of 2004, this winter run was evaluated as an
extreme conservation concern suggesting that it was at 10% or less of
habitat capacity and likely to become extinct.


CHAPMAN CREEK SUMMARY
Chapman Creek is known as one of the largest salmon producing streams
on the Sunshine Coast with spiritual and cultural significance for the
Sechelt Indian Band. Historically peak escapements for Coho, Pink and
Steelhead numbered in the hundreds and 3500 for Chum. It is probable
that the numbers for the Pink and Chum were higher before the secondary
creek mouth was cut off in 1936. A considerable amount of environmental
degradation was caused by extensive logging leading eventually to an
Integrated Watershed Management Plan (1998). Utilized as the major
community water, salmonids have also been negatively impacted by water
withdrawals during low flows. In 1999, a fish habitat and riparian
assessment was conducted for the BC Ministry of Environment in
conjunction with the Watershed Restoration Project. A Coastal Watershed
Assessment Procedure was completed in 2000 to again assess the effects
of past forest practices and to provide recommendations for forestry
development. Also that year, Chapman Creek was one of only 15 streams
designated as sensitive under the BC Fisheries Protection Act.

Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden were introduced before records were kept;
Coho and Cutthroat were stocked in the late 1980’s. Beginning in the early
1990’s the Sunshine Coast Salmon Enhancement Society stocked Pinks,
Chums, Coho, Cutthroat, Steelhead and introduced Chinook. The
stocking of Cutthroats was discontinued to ensure the survival of the wild
population. The Greater Georgia Basin Steelhead Recovery Action Plan of
2002 identified the stock status of both winter and summer Steelhead runs
as special concern. In 2004, during an enumeration of the Steelhead a
total of 2 adult Cutthroat were observed.


DESERTED RIVER SUMMARY
Deserted River historically hosted peak annual salmon escapements of
100,000+ Pinks, 38,500 Chum and 6,000 Coho. The most recent
maximum annual escapement was 2,000 for Pinks (1989-98); 60,000 for
Chum (1989-2000); and 667 for Coho (1988-2000). In 2004, the Steelhead
run was identified as an extreme conservation concern with stocks
believed to be at 10% or less of habitat capacity and likely subject to
extinction.

Logging began in the late 1930’s and continued until at least the mid
1980’s. During this time, flooding, scouring, silting and the river changing
its course in the lower section have been identified. In 19977, a report,
outlining the importance of the river in Pink and Chum production in the
Jervis –Sechelt Inlets and their severe decline, recommended a spawning
channel be created for the Pinks which could be used by the Chum in the
off years. Between the years 1981-85, 10,400 juvenile Coho and 27,600
juvenile Chum were released. In 1996, a detailed map of terrain stability
and erosion potential for forest management was produced for the Ministry
of Forests.

The Strategic Land Use Plan for the shishalh Nation (Draft 2007) identifies
the extremely high cultural and spiritual values of this area and the main
town site of Tsonai ; there are very high associated fisheries values and
current rehabilitative efforts.


HOMATHKO RIVER SUMMARY
The peak historical escapements were 15,000 Coho, 7,500 Pink, 75,000
Chum, 15,000 Chinook and 7,500 Steelhead. Logging began in the early
1900’s and continues today. In 1983, fish sampling was undertaken as part of
BC Hydro’s interest in building a dam upstream of Waddington Canyon. A
Watershed Restoration Program proposal (1994) noted the very high fish and
wildlife values and identified some of the damage resulting from the logging;
this resulted (1997-98) in an overview assessment and preliminary fish
assessment on the lower Homathko. Homathko Estuary Provincial Park and
the Homathko River- Tatlayoko Protected Area were created in the same
years. A Level 2 Watershed Assessment (1999) was conducted within the
Chilcotin region of the watershed where Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden are
present. These species, as well as Cutthroat Trout, are also present in the
lower section of the river; the presence of Bull Trout was confirmed in 2001.
The most recent readily available maximum escapement (1988-97) is 100
Pink and 2,000 Chinook, 6,000 Coho (1986-2000) and 18,000 Chum (1989-
99).
The river continues to be a major Chum and Pink producer (2009). Nine
Grizzly Bear Wildlife Habitat Areas were proposed in 2008. In 2009, a report
noted the world class nature of the Cutthroat and Bull Trout recreational
fishery and identified concern with the proposed hydroelectric projects in the
area. In their Statement of Intent, filed with the BC Treaty Commission, the
Homalco First Nation Wxemalhkwu) has identified Bute Inlet as part of their
traditional territory; there are three reserves near the estuary. A confidential
Impact Benefit Agreement, which establishes a framework under which both
the Homalco and an independent power producer work together to advance
projects within the territory was reached in 2011.


LANG RIVER SUMMARY
The Lang Creek watershed once supported runs of Pink, Chum, Coho,
Chinook and Steelhead in addition to Kokanee, Cutthroat and Rainbow
Trout. Before the historic run of Chinook was seemingly lost in 1952,
15,000 Chinook had returned in a single year. Pinks, Coho and Steelhead
had peak historical escapements of 3,500 each; Chums peaked at 7,500.
In 1983, a major Salmon Enhancement Program hatchery was
established. From 1984-90, approximately 400,000 Chinook juveniles were
released along with ~1.2 million Chum, ~ 1.1 million Coho, and ~851,00
Pinks. By 1990, the Lang system was providing ~ 60% of the Coho for Sub
district 15 (Powell River). In 1994, the province noted that the area had
seen extensive past harvesting and that harvesting was ongoing.
Rehabilitation of the estuary was required due to log dumping activities. In
1997, Lang Creek was one of 15 rivers in B.C. to receive a Sensitive
Stream Designation under the Fisheries Protection Act. A Coastal
Watershed Assessment for Haslam Lake – Lang Creek Community
Watershed was conducted as part of the 1998 Integrated Watershed
Management Plan.

The most recent data has maximum peak escapements of 3,984 for Coho
(1991-2000); 1,897 for Pinks (1990-99); 28,000 for Chums (1992-2000);
and 1,354 for Chinooks (1988-2000). Lang Creek still has (2009) active
hatchery enhancement for Chum and is one of two major Chum spawning
sites along with Sliammon Creek in Area 15. It is also an important system
for Pinks. Between 1989-92, 9,000 juvenile Steelhead were released.
Nonetheless reports in 2002 and again in 2004 identified an extreme
conservation concern for the winter run of Steelhead.


LOIS RIVER SUMMARY
Scanlon Dam was constructed in 1924 without a fish way and has
resulted in flow fluctuations of 2-4m on Lois Lake. However, the
series of impassable rock falls located 300m upstream of the mouth
of the river is considered to have restricted anadromous salmonid
migration. Records dating back to 1947 show that the largest
escapement for Chum in Lois River was approximately 800. Coho,
and to even a lesser extent Pinks, have infrequently and in much
less numbers, spawned in the area. The peak maximum
escapement of Chum for 1989-98 was 484.

A private hatchery was established in Lois Lake in 1987 raising
Chinook and Coho of which some have escaped. In 1993, a
biophysical survey of the lake and others in the drainage system was
conducted noting the presence not only of Rainbow and Cutthroat
Trout but also of Kokanee. The latter apparently the remnants of a
Sockeye run. This report also noted the changes to fish habitat
caused by the artificially maintained water levels and the
surrounding industrial (logging) activity. Dolly Varden has also been
reported. Stream Classification surveys on numerous proposed
logging cut blocks in other parts of the watershed during 2004-2006
succeeded in capturing Cutthroat trout. Coastal Watershed
Assessments were conducted on My and on Scanlon Creeks in
1997.


 Estuary of the Eagle (Lois) River watershed
 A dam built in the 1920’s reduced salmon runs from 10’s of thousands to a few
hundred fish

•Western Wandering
Garder Snakes on a
sandy bar of the Eagle
river estuary.
•This is a common but
seldom seen that prefers
estuaries.

LOIS RIVER WATERSHED

ORFORD RIVER SUMMARY
The Orford River had peak historical escapements of 3,500 Coho, 7,500
Chinook, 100,000 Pink, 137,000 Chum and 750 Steelhead. In addition
there were Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout.

Initial logging occurred in the watershed from 1973-90. A fish habitat
assessment procedure was conducted on the main stem and major
tributaries in 1988 on behalf of industry. A spawning channel was created
in 1989-90 and it was during the enumeration of the spawners that the
presence of both a summer and a fall run of Chum were identified. A
Watershed Restoration Program proposal (1994) noted that the system
required Grizzly Bear oriented riparian improvements; in 1999, fish
presence, channel and riparian assessments were conducted. The
Homalco First Nation (Wxemalhkwu Indian Band), according to the
Statement of Intent listed with the BC Treaty Commission (1994), includes
the Bute Inlet watershed as part of their traditional territory; they have a
major reserve in the lower section of the river and operate the Taggares-
Homalco Hatchery.
In 2002 the summer run of Steelhead was identified as a special concern.
Another (2004) report noted an extreme conservation concern for the
summer run and the presence of possible small winter run. Channel
instability, bank erosion and sediment transport were challenges facing
these runs. The most recent readily available maximum escapements are
50 Chinook, 3,700 Pink and 600 Coho (1989-98); and 27,000 Chum (1995-
2000). The Orford is still considered a major system for both Chum
(summer run only) and Pink production. Homalco Wildlife Tours began
Grizzly Bear viewing programs in the lower section of the river in 2011.


ORFORD RIVER WATERSHED

SAKINAW LAKE SUMMARY
Sakinaw Lake is noteworthy for its unique Sockeye and therefore
one of the most important areas of concern to the Sechelt First
Nation. Prior to the mid 1930’s the annual catch by commercial
fishing was estimated to be 25,000 fish. Recorded historic
escapements peaked at 16,000 though the average was 5,000. In
addition the lake supported 7,500 Coho and 3,500 Chum. The
Sockeye in particular has declined precipitously. The Committee on
the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada designated it as
threatened with extinction in a 2002 emergency assessment; the
exact cause of the decline is still not known. The federal government
however chose not to list it under the Species at Risk Act. In spite of
a 2005 National Recovery Strategy only two Sockeye returned
between 2006-2009. Optimistically, there have been increasing
returns for 2009-11. Loss of critical habitat can result from the
development and encroachment of the lake foreshore. In addition,
urban and industrial development within the watershed may
negatively influence the surface and groundwater quality and
quantity entering the lake.

Kokanee and Cutthroat have also been historically present.
Nonetheless, the latter of American origin, were stocked 1965-1969;
and from Vancouver Island during 1984-1989. Coho were stocked in
1988. That year also noted that the trout had better weight to length
ratios than those in nearby lakes due to either lower fish densities
and/or better lake productivity.


SKWAWKA RIVER SUMMARY
The Skwawka River, once hosted an astounding 235,000 Pink, 35,000
Chum and 15,000 Coho peak annual escapements. The most recent data
(1989-98) has maximum annual peak escapements of 6,000 Pink, 25,000
Chum, and 554 Coho. In addition, a historic light run of Chinook,
occasional Sockeye, a winter run of Steelhead, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow
Trout and Dolly Varden have been enumerated.
Logging began in 1969-70 with heavy damage to salmonid habitat
documented almost immediately as a result of road construction leading to
slides along the river and some tributaries. In 1975, extreme silting from
logging was described as well as flash flooding. Silting occurred from
1970-1982 in the lower reaches.
In 1983, a report, based on 1977 field studies, examined the decline of
Chums and Pinks in the Jervis-Sechelt Inlets, it recommended a spawning
channel be created that could be used by Pinks and by Chum in the off
years. In 1985, the Salmon Enhancement Program, planted 27,000
juvenile Chum . Funding from the Watershed Restoration Program
identified the requirement for remedial work on the estuary and grizzly bear
oriented riparian improvements in 1994. Five years later, extensive fish
channel and riparian assessments were carried out on the main reaches of
the river.
The Strategic Land Use Plan for the shishalh Nation (2007 Draft) identifies
the entire watershed as having extremely high cultural and spiritual values
including the Xenichen town site. In spite of extensive logging the area is
still considered to have high fish and fish habitat values. The plan noted
that there are now Wildlife Habitat Areas dedicated to Grizzly Bears.


SKWAWKA RIVER WATERSHED

SOUTHGATE RIVER SUMMARY
The Southgate River had peak historical escapements of 7,500 Coho,
7,500 Pink, 250,000 Chum, 15,000 Chinook and 1,500 Steelhead.
Accurate counts are difficult due to glacial conditions. Logging occurred
from at least the late ‘60s to late ‘70s.The commercial gill net Chum fishery
in Bute Inlet ended in the late ‘80’s as that population declined. A
Watershed Restoration Program proposal (1994) indicated that the river
required remedial works to the estuary and riparian improvements for
Grizzly Bears. A fish and fish habitat inventory (1998) confirmed the
presence of the blue-listed Bull Trout, Dolly Varden, Bull Trout/Dolly Varden
hybrids, and Cutthroat Trout. A 2001 report noted good spawning and
rearing habitat for salmon, char and trout species throughout much of the
accessible 74km main stem and lower reaches of the tributaries.
The most recent readily available peak escapements are (1989-98) 850
Coho, 60,000 Pink and 175,000 Chum (1990-2000). In 2004, the winter
run of Steelhead was described as an extreme conservation concern. The
Southgate is still (2009) considered one of the three major Chum
productions systems in the Loughbourough to Bute Inlet Management
Area.
In 2009, a report noted the world class nature of the Cutthroat and Bull
Trout recreational fishery and identified concern with the proposed
hydroelectric projects in the area. In their Statement of Intent, filed with
the BC Treaty Commission, the Homalco First Nation ((Wxemalhkwu) has
identified Bute Inlet and its watershed as part of their traditional territory. A
confidential Impact Benefit Agreement, which establishes a framework
under which both the Homalco and an independent power producer work
together to advance hydroelectric opportunities within the territory was
reached in 2011.


SOUTHGATE RIVER WATERSHED

THEODOSIA RIVER SUMMARY
Historic DFO annual peak escapement data for Theodosia shows were
35,000 Chum, 7,500 Coho and 3,500 Pink. Other sources indicate that
runs were as high as 100,000 Pinks, 50,000 Chums and 10,000 Coho prior
to the diversion of 80% of the river flow. Water was diverted for hydro-
electric power to a pulp mill in 1956. Although the company was required to
maintain minimum flows, the low flows and adjacent logging resulted in
drastic water level changes following weather events, silting, erosion,
scouring, and frequent changes in the lower channel bed. A report to the
Sliammon First Nation, who have lands at the mouth of the river, in 1997,
identified the instability of the river and the degradation of the spawning
habitat and suggested that off channel habitat, be created in the lower
reaches for Chum and Coho . In 2000, the provincial government pledged
to decommission the dam; six years later the issue of compensation to the
power company stalled the work.

A Community Economic Development Program was initiated between
Fisheries & Oceans Canada and the Sliammon First Nations in 1977;
current efforts on the Theodosia involve stock assessment, and
enhancement activities. Coho and Chum sperm have been cryopreserved
by the World Fisheries Trust.

This watershed is considered a major Inner South Coast Chum system
within the Toba Inlet Management Area; the operational management
escapement goal is 21,000 (2009).
The most recent available maximum escapement data for Chum (1990-99)
is 2,742, Coho (1990-99) 213, and Pinks (1985-93) zero.


TOBA RIVER SUMMARY
The Toba River had historical peak escapements of 35,000 Coho, 75,000
Pink, 75,000 Chum and 12,000 Chinook. The numbers do not include
escapements from major tributaries such as the Klite, Filer and Little Toba
Rivers. The most recent available data for the Toba River is 1,000 Coho
(1983-92); zero Pink (1984-92); 32 Chinook and 600 Chum (1989-98).
Initial logging occurred in the 60’s and 70’s; in 1975, 1500 cubic yards of
gravel was removed from the high river bars. The following year, a
salmonid reconnaissance was undertaken. A 1994 Watershed Restoration
Program proposal noted that the Klite and Little Toba Rivers needed work
and that the Toba itself required wildlife estuarine damage remedial works
as well as Grizzly Bear oriented riparian improvements.
The Klahoose First Nation, according to the Statement of Intent listed with
the BC Treaty Commission (1994), are claiming the entire Toba River
watershed as part of their traditional territory. As a result of their and
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks interests, fish and fish habitat
inventories were conducted in 1998. BC’s largest run-of-the river
hydroelectric project (East Toba/Montrose Creek) was successfully
commissioned in 2010. Further fish sampling was conducted in the upper
reaches of the Toba River as well as for Dalgleish and Jimmie Creeks in
2007-08 for those proposed hydro-electric projects.
The watershed is also known to host Dolly Varden, Rainbow and Cutthroat
Trout. The winter run of Steelhead is listed as an extreme conservation
concern in the Klite, Little Toba and Toba River (2005). Within the Toba
Inlet Management Area, the Little Toba is considered a major system for
Chum production.


TZOONIE RIVER SUMMARY
The Sechelt Strategic Land Use Plan (Draft 2007) notes that the lower
portion of Tzoonie River and all of Narrows Inlet form the largest cultural
emphasis area within their territory; the Sechelts consider the river to be
the largest salmon and anadromous Cutthroat Trout producing creek in
Sechelt Inlet. It once supported five species of salmon and the Steelhead.
By 1970 the Sockeye, Chinook and Steelhead runs were all but lost. A set
of falls 5km from the mouth was blasted in 1975; however the remaining
stocks continued to decline. In 1947, 75,000 Pinks were estimated to have
arrived to spawn; that number was not repeated and the 10 year maximum
escapement from 1986-1994 was 1500. The maximum return for Coho
(1989-98) was 250. Within the Jervis Inlet Management Area, specifically
Statistical Area 16, the Tzoonie is still considered to be one of the three
major systems for Chum and one of 11 for Pinks.

Logged since the early 60’s, a Fish Habitat Assessment Procedure was
conducted in 1998 focusing on the main stem and main tributaries to
evaluate the damage to fish habitat. This was followed in1999 with detailed
reach assessments, prescriptions and an examination of barriers to fish
passage at culvert-bearing road crossings. That report noted that the
watershed was home to all 5 species of salmon, Steelhead, Bull Trout,
Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden. Cutthroat trout were
noted to still exist in the river and lake in 2005. In 2002, the summer run of
Steelhead, in this priority watershed, was identified as a special concern.
At that time logging was identified has having a high impact on the
species.


VANCOUVER RIVER SUMMARY
Railroad logging began in the Vancouver River area in the early 1900’s and
a small town was eventually established. The counting of salmonids did
not begin until 1947, when the peak annual escapement of 15,000 Pinks
was recorded. Steelhead peaked at 400, Chum at 8,000 and Coho at
5,000 once patrols were conducted above the obstacle at 8.8km. The
diking and channelization to protect the now abandoned town site along
with the increased run-off from logging resulted not only in the reduction of
spawning channels available to Pinks and Chums, but an increase in the
water flow in the remaining channel that resulted in scouring. A report
released in 1983 suggested that controlled flow structures to reconnect the
old channels and the rehabilitation of the main stem channelized section
would be appropriate to rebuilding the Pink run.

A hatchery funded by DFO began in 1981. From 1980-89, nearly 2 million
chum, ~290,000 Coho, ~141, 000 Chinook and ~ 59,000 Steelhead were
released. Extensive channel rehabilitation occurred in 1998-2001. A
1:20,000 Reconnaissance Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory was conducted
in 1999 to meet Forest Practice Code requirements. In 2002, a report
noted that the Steelhead stock was not well documented but believed to be
very low and therefore of special concern.

The Strategic Land Use Plan for the shishalh Nation (2007 Draft) identifies
the area as having extremely high cultural, fisheries and wildlife values;
efforts continue on the rehabilitation of salmonid habitat.


1. Anderson Creek
2. Angus Creek
3. Carlson Creek
4. Chaster Creek
5. Dakota Creek
6. Daniels Creek
7. Myrtle Creek
8. Ouillet Creek
9. Potato Creek
10. Twin Creeks
11. Whitail Creek
12. Wilson Creek

Regional Fisheries Significant Watersheds

Dakota Creek

Chapman Creek

Angus Creek

Whittal Creek Wilson Creek


DAKOTA CREEK SUMMARY
Although Dakota Creek was known historically to support salmon,
escapements were not counted until 1971; these Chum and Coho
escapements were quite small. A 2000 Coastal Watershed Assessment
Procedure (CWAP) indicated 10 pairs of Coho. The annual mean for
Chum between 1997- 1988, was 110. In 1973, sampling identified
Rainbow and Cutthroat trout; the latter were stocked twice in 1998-89. In
1979, Dakota Creek was identified as one of the 5 key streams
accounting for 61% of cutthroat production in the Lower Mainland
region. The Steel head population present in 1980 was still surviving in
1996 when 468 were counted.

Industrial activity began early in the last century. By the 1930’s a series
of dams and flumes were used to move cedar cants and a mill had been
established. In 1971 Canadian Forest Products Ltd acquired the
drainage as part of their tenure. There are 4 unused water licenses held
by the SCRD and as a result the drainage is identified as a community
watershed. The first CWAP was conducted in 1995; the second CWAP
identified much of the terrain as naturally unstable and over the past 40
years human caused failures had been an important part of the
sediment loading of the creek. An abandoned gravel pit was identified as
draining an estimated 300 tonnes of sediments annually.

The estuary and lower reaches were nonetheless considered to have
high fisheries values.


Mountain Goat Winter Range

Marbled Murrelet Nesting Habitat

Conservation Priorities

Protecting Biological Diversity
 Summary item 1
 Summary item 2
 Summary item 3
 Summary item 4
 Summary item 5
 Summary item 6
 Summary item 7

Biodiversity draft8

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