| WCRP Unit | Currently accessible (km) | Total | Current Connectivity Status | Goal | Gain required (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstream of Elko Dam | 717.21 | 971.65 | 74% | 86% | 118.41 |
| Downstream of Elko Dam | 207.39000000000001 | 223.46 | 93% | 99% | 13.84 |
Elk River Watershed Barrier Structure Summary
The primary conservation outcome of the WCRP is the rehabilitation of barriers to connectivity in the Elk River watershed. To achieve the 2041 connectivity goals in this plan (Goals 2 and 4), it is necessary to prioritize and identify a suite of barriers for both the Upstream of Elko Dam and Downstream of Elko Dam units that, if rehabilitated, will provide access to a minimum of 142 km of habitat and 3 km of habitat, respectively (Table 3.1).
The structure prioritization process comprises three stages:
Stage 1: preliminary barrier list
Stage 2: intermediate barrier list
Stage 3: priority barrier list
The barrier prioritization analysis ranked barriers by the amount of habitat blocked to produce an “intermediate barrier list” comprising more barriers than are needed to achieve the goals. A longer list of barriers is needed due to the inherent assumptions in the connectivity model, habitat model, and gaps in available data. Barriers that have been modelled (i.e., points where streams and road/rail networks intersect) are assumed to be barriers until field verification is undertaken and structures that have been assessed as “potential” barriers (e.g., may be passable at certain flow levels or for certain life history stages) require further investigation before a definitive rehabilitation decision is made. Additionally, the habitat model identifies stream segmentsthat have the potential to support spawning or rearing habitat for focal species but does not attempt to quantify habitat quality or suitability see data methods, which will require additional field verification once barrier assessments have been completed. As such, the intermediate list of barriers (Table 3.3) should be considered as a starting point in the prioritization process and represents crossings that are a priority to evaluate further through barrier assessment and habitat confirmations because some structures will likely be passable, others will not be associated with usable habitat, some crossings may not exist, and others may not be feasible to rehabilitate because of logistic considerations. The intermediate barrier list was updated following the barrier assessments and habitat confirmations that were undertaken during the 2021 field season - some barriers were moved forward to the “priority barrier list”(Table 3.6) and others were eliminated from consideration due to one or more of the considerations discussed above see (Table 3.2) and (Table 3.3). The priority barrier list represents structures that were confirmed to be partial or full barriers to fish passage and that block access to confirmed habitat. Barriers on the priority list were reviewed by planning team members and selected for inclusion for proactive rehabilitation. For more details on the barrier prioritization model, please see (Mazany-Wright, Norris, Lapointe, & Rebellato (2021a)).
ID | Stream name | Reason For Removal | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
112336 | Alexander Creek | Improperly mapped on mainstem. Located on tributary with limited habitat value. | High up in watershed, steep terrain. |
1024735443 | Abruzzi Creek | Does not exist | Recreational trail erroneously mapped in Digital Road Atlas |
62245 | Tobermory Creek | Rehabilitated | Open bottom clearspan bridge |
197527 | Crossing Creek | Low quality habitat | |
1004606284 | Fording River | Ford | Confirmed via literature: Cope et al. (2016) |
197826 (1004603334) | Fording River | ford | |
1100002606 | Boivin Creek | Off channel, not a barrier | |
197818 (1004606007) | Weigert Creek | Ford | |
197820 (1024735049) | Weigert Creek | Ford | |
197837 (1004602163) | Morrissey Creek | Ford | Crossing removed |
197821 (1004606545) | Cummings Creek | Ford | |
197846 (1004607449) | Tributary to Ewin Creek | Ford | Crossing Removed |
197847 (1004600533) | Chauncey Creek | Ford | Crossing Removed |
197805 (1004601280) | Tributary to Harmer Creek | Ford | Crossing Removed |
197839 (1004607022) | McCool Creek | Ford | |
197823(1024706614) | Henretta Creek | Ford | Crossing Removed |
197824 (1004604696) | Henretta Creek | Crossing does not exist | |
197803 (1004602514) | Harmer Creek | Ford | |
197838 (1004601704) | Morrissey Creek | Ford | Crossing removed |
197816 (1004602949) | Weigert Creek | Ford | |
1004603432 | Tributary to Cadorna Creed | Crossing does not exist |
ID | Stream name | Reason For Removal | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
197789 (1004603791) | Tributary to Lodgepole Creek | Ford | Road Deactivated |
197792 (1004605499) | Tributary to Bean Creek | Bridge | |
197867 (1004603553) | Bighorn Creek | Ford | |
1004605216 | Tributary to Wigwam river | No Crossing | Crossing does not exist |
197785 (1004606129) | Tributary to Wigwam river | No channel | No defined channel - lake drains to basin upstream with no visible channel between lake and road |
197782 (1004602359) | Rabbit Creek | Bridge (Collapsed) | Collapsed bridge but not blocking flows |
197861 (1004602646) | Tributary to Wigwam river | No crossing | |
197794 (1004603480) | Bean Creek | Bridge | |
197790 (1004606411) | Tributary to Lodgepole Creek | Ford | |
197796 (1004601984) | Tributary to Lodgepole Creek | Short habitat gain | 2.3 m falls ~60 m upstream |
1004605338 | Tributary to Wigwam river | No Crossing, no channel | Dry area with no channel |
197797 (1004606926) | Bighorn Creek | Ford | Crossing removed |
197780 (1004601993) | Rabbit Creek | Ford | |
197781 (1004601995) | Rabbit Creek | Bridge (Collapsed) | Collapsed bridge but not blocking flows |
1004603793 | Lodgepole Creek | Ford | Crossing removed |
197795 (1024733953) | Tributary to Lodgepole Creek | Bridge |
ID | Stream name | Barrier type | Assessment Status | Barrier Status | Number of downstream barriers | Spawning and Rearing Habitat Blocked (KM) | Next Steps | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
197559 | Brûlé Creek | Highway crossing | Habitat confirmation | Barrier | 1 | 22.22 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
61504 | Coal Creek | Resource road crossing | Assessed | Barrier | 0 | 14.75 | Monitor | Road has washed out, not currently a barrier. Mintor as road is rebuilt |
1004603413 | Henretta Creek | Resource road crossing | Modelled Crossing | Potential | 2 | 5.84 | Barrier assessment | Determine presence and barrier status from teck Coal |
50185 | Tributary to Morrisey Creek | Resource road crossing | Habitat confirmation | Barrier | 0 | 2.13 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
197534 | Weigert Creek | Highway crossing | Habitat confirmation | Barrier | 0 | 0.17 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
197533 | Brûlé Creek | Municipal road crossing | Habitat confirmation | Barrier | 0 | 0.13 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
Total Gain: | 45.24 |
ID | Stream name | Barrier type | Assessment Status | Barrier Status | Number of downstream barriers | Spawning and Rearing Habitat Blocked (KM) | Next Steps | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
197783 (1004605937) | Tributary to Wigwam River | Resource road crossing | Barrier Assessment | Barrier | 0 | 0.79 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
197787 (1004606370) | Lodgepole Creek | Resource road crossing | Habitat confirmation | Potential | 0 | 0.61 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
197793 (1004606347) | Bean Creek | Resource road crossing | Habitat confirmation | Barrier | 0 | 0.88 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
197786 (1004606398) | Lodgepole Creek | Resource road crossing | Habitat confirmation | Barrier | 1 | 0.49 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
197844 (1004605514) | Tributary to Bighord Creek | Resource road crossing | Habitat confirmation | Barrier | 0 | 0.60 | In-depth habitat investigations | Currently under investigation to determine habitat capacity for WCT |
Total Gain: | 3.37 |
There are currently 21 barriers on the priority barrier list, which will be pursued for proactive rehabilitation to achieve the connectivity goals in this plan:
Barrier Id | Modelled Crossing Id | Watercourse Name | Road Name | Structure Type | Partial Passability | Structure Owner | Num Barriers Set | Total Hab Gain Set | Upstream Habitat Quality | Estimated Cost $ | Next Steps | Reason | Notes | Supporting Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
197533 | 4600183 | Brule Creek | Busato Road | Stream crossing - CBS | No | MOTI | 2 | 21.69 | High | 700000 | Commission engineering designs | Full barrier to fish passage. Culverts in poor shape and in need of replacing. | Potential to do some habitat rehabilitation work on the stream in conjunction with culvert replacements. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2022_reporting/results.html#brule-creek---pscis-crossings-197533-and-197559 |
197559 | 4600070 | Brule Creek | Highway 43 | Stream crossing - CBS | No | MOTI | 2 | 21.69 | Medium | 6100000 | Commission engineering designs | Full barrier to passage, culverts in poor shape and in need of replacing. | Potential to rehabilitate stream channel at same time as culverts replaced. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2022_reporting/discussion-and-recommendations.html#brule-creek---pscis-crossings-197533-and-197559-1 |
197827 | 4600762 | Fording River | FRO Coal Haul | Stream crossing - CBS | Unknown | Teck | 1 | 16.60 | High | Rehabilitation | Industry barrier | Very important WCT stream | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2021_reporting/appendix---phase-1-fish-passage-assessment-data-and-photos.html# | |
197534 | 4600069 | Weigert Creek | Highway 43 | Stream crossing - CBS | Yes | MOTI | 2 | 10.32 | High | 5000000 | Commission engineering designs | In-depth habitat investigations revealed WCT presence upstream and downstream of crossing. Cold water = short growing season for fish. Could be important temperature refuge during hot weather. | Initial discussions with MOTI carried out. MOTI is amenable to replacing crossing but no solid timeline identified. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2022_reporting/results.html#weigert-creek---pscis-crossing-197534 |
197542 | 4600367 | Hartley Creek | Dicken Road | Stream crossing - CBS | Unknown | MOTI | 3 | 7.88 | High | Rehabilitation | Very important WCT stream | Currently going through Fisheries Act authorization due to sediment basin component of work | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2020_reporting/appendix---197542---hartley-creek.html | |
13635d39-ee0f-4d0c-bb9c-9649ac9a5c63 | Harmer Creek | Elkview | Dam | No | Teck | 1 | 5.47 | High | Rehabilitation | Industry barrier | Under construction. Expected completion 2025. | https://www.teck.com/media/Harmer-Creek-Evaluation-of-Cause%20-Report-March-2023.pdf | ||
62181 | 4606699 | Dry Creek | Railway | Stream crossing - CBS | Unknown | CP Rail | 2 | 4.56 | Medium | 7500000 | Rehabilitation | Industry barrier | Scores as potential barrier. Barrier to be rehabilitated as part of Teck's Tributary Management Plan under Environmental Management Act. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2021_reporting/appendix---62181-62182---dry-creek.html |
62182 | 4600284 | Dry Creek | Fording Highway | Stream crossing - CBS | Unknown | MOTI | 2 | 4.56 | Medium | Rehabilitation | Industry barrier | Barrier to be rehabilitated as part of Teck's Tributary Management Plan under Environmental Management Act | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2021_reporting/appendix---62181-62182---dry-creek.html | |
50185 | 4605191 | Tributary to Morrissey Creek | River Road | Stream crossing - CBS | Yes | CanFor | 2 | 2.91 | High | 125000 | Engage with barrier owner | Industry barrier on busy haul road. High value WCT rearing stream with groundwater refugia. | Preliminary studies by VAST this winter revealed groundwater- influenced temperature refugia and suitable habitat for WCT. EB dominant in lower reaches. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2020_reporting/appendix---50185---tributary-to-morrisey-creek.html# |
197844 | 4605514 | Tributary to Bighorn Creek | Cabin Creek FSR | Stream crossing - CBS | No | CanFor | 1 | 1.71 | Medium | 240000 | Engage with barrier owner | Industry barrier. Good overwintering potential for WCT. | Bull Trout also present in stream. Winter investigations revealed strong groundwater influence upstream of crossing and at mouth of creek. 70 m dewatered section between culvert and mouth. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2021_reporting/appendix---197844---tributary-to-bighorn-creek.html Also see: VAST. 2023. Elk River Westslope Cutthroat Trout passage and habitat investigations. Prepared for Canadian Wildlife Federation by VAST Resource Solutions Inc., Cranbrook, B.C. |
197787 | 4606370 | Lodgepole Creek | Lodgepole Creek FSR | Stream crossing - CBS | Yes | CanFor | 1 | 1.15 | High | 240000 | Engage with barrier owner | Industry barrier. Excellent quality habitat supporting all life stages of WCT. | Pure population of WCT confirmed in Lodgepole Creek. Barrier at low flows. Sedimentation and deflection issues identified due to culvert. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2021_reporting/appendix---197787-197786---lodgepole-creek.html Also see: VAST. 2023. Elk River Westslope Cutthroat Trout passage and habitat investigations. Prepared for Canadian Wildlife Federation by VAST Resource Solutions Inc., Cranbrook, B.C. |
62416 | 4600504 | Grace Creek | Line Road | Stream crossing - CBS | Unknown | CanWel Forest Products | 1 | 0.98 | High | 500000 | Commission engineering designs | Important WCT stream with high-quality habitat upstream | Barrier owner non-responsive. Currently being proposed as offsetting site for NWP Coal. Awaiting DFO decision. | http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/acat/public/advancedSearch.do?keywords=[PSCIS3520]&searchKeyType=searchAll&sortColumn=title |
50152 | 4600144 | Tributary to Lizard Creek (Stove Creek) | Mount Fernie Parkway | Stream crossing - CBS | No | BC Parks | 1 | 0.36 | High | 650000 | Fundraise | High quality WCT habitat cut off from Lizard Creek. Lizard complex including all tributaries identified as critical habitat by working group. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2020_reporting/appendix---50152---tributary-to-lizard-creek.html | |
197824 | 4604696 | Henretta Creek | Unnamed | Stream crossing - CBS | Unknown | Teck | High | Commission engineering designs | Industry barrier. Important WCT stream | Preliminary design complete, undergoing options evaluation | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2021_reporting/appendix---phase-1-fish-passage-assessment-data-and-photos.html |
Barrier Id | Modelled Crossing Id | Watercourse Name | Road Name | Structure Type | Structure Owner | Barrier Status | Partial Passability | Assessment Type Completed | Total Hab Gain Set | Num Barriers Set | Next Steps | Notes | Supporting Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1004602974 | 4602974 | Grace Creek | Line Road | Stream crossing - CBS | CanWel Forest Products | POTENTIAL | Unknown | Other | 3.24 | 1 | Barrier assessment (data deficient structures only) | Barrier owner non-responsive. Currently being proposed as offsetting site for NWP Coal. Awaiting DFO decision. | https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/acat/documents/r49504/East_Kootenay_Habitat_report_Final_w_MAPS_1447703733942_7701890483.pdf |
197786 | 4606398 | Lodgepole Creek | Lodgepole Creek FSR | Stream crossing - CBS | CanFor | BARRIER | Detailed habitat investigation | 0.51 | 1 | Engage with barrier owner | Pure population of WCT confirmed in Lodgepole Creek. Undersized culvert with signs of overtopping. Culvert not buried in road bed, leading to damage in several locations. Debris jam with 0.75 m drip currently creating a temporary passage barrier. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2021_reporting/appendix---197787-197786---lodgepole-creek.html Also see: VAST. 2023. Elk River Westslope Cutthroat Trout passage and habitat investigations. Prepared for Canadian Wildlife Federation by VAST Resource Solutions Inc., Cranbrook, B.C. | |
50254 | Tributary to Michel Creek | Corbin Highway | Stream crossing - CBS | North Coal? | POTENTIAL | Unknown | Barrier assessment | 0.17 | 2 | Habitat confirmation (data deficient structures only) | North Coal may have potential plans for this crossing. Need to determine the Brook Trout situation in the wetland before committing to any rehabilitation of this structure. | https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/acat/documents/r43047/PD13TFE006_VAST_FinalReport_1405379598103_5374008940.pdf | |
50255 | 4606744 | Tributary to Michel Creek | Railway | Stream crossing - CBS | North Coal? | POTENTIAL | Barrier assessment | 0.17 | 2 | Habitat confirmation (data deficient structures only) | North Coal may have potential plans for this crossing. Need to determine the Brook Trout situation in the wetland before committing to any rehabilitation of this structure. | https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/acat/documents/r43047/PD13TFE006_VAST_FinalReport_1405379598103_5374008940.pdf | |
197780 | 4601993 | Rabbit Creek | Unnamed | Stream crossing - OBS | Unknown | PASSABLE | Barrier assessment | Engage with partners | Was not blocking flows when assessed in 2021 but could become an impediment if it continues to collapse into stream. | http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/pscismap/imageViewer.do?assessmentId=198800 | |||
197781 | 4601995 | Rabbit Creek | Unnamed | Stream crossing - OBS | Unknown | PASSABLE | Barrier assessment | Engage with partners | https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/pscismap/imageViewer.do?assessmentId=198801 | ||||
61504 | 24706507 | Coal Creek | Coal Creek FSR | Stream crossing - OBS | CanWel Forest Products (TBC) | PASSABLE | Unknown | Habitat confirmation | Barrier reassessment | Prior to washout, this was a bridge with footings and rip rap intruding into the wetted channel margin and creating a cascade that was likely impeding fish passage. | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2021_reporting/appendix---61504---coal-creek.html |
Barrier Id | Modelled Crossing Id | Watercourse Name | Road Name | Type Of Rehabilitation | Rehabilitated By | Rehabilitated Date | Total Hab Gain Set | Actual Project Cost $ | Next Steps | Notes | Supporting Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
62245 | 4605728 | Tobermory Creek | Elk River FSR | Replacement - OBS | BCTS | 2022-09-30 | Post-rehabilitation monitoring | ||||
62505 | 4602146 | Tributary to Lizard Creek | Mount Fernie Parkway | Replacement - OBS | CWF | 2023-09-30 | 251000 | Correct deficiencies (rehabilitated structures only) | https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_elk_2020_reporting/appendix---50152---tributary-to-lizard-creek.html |