Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information

November 2010

Prepared for: MAXIM Power Corp. Calgary, Alberta

Prepared by: Stantec Consulting Ltd. Calgary, Alberta

Project Number: 123510029

Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Table of Contents November 2010

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1-1

2.0 PROJECT LOCATION ...... 2-1

3.0 METHODS ...... 3-1 3.1 HABITAT SURVEY...... 3-1 3.2 FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLING...... 3-1

4.0 RESULTS ...... 4-1 4.1 FISH HABITAT ...... 4-1 4.2 FISH COMMUNITY...... 4-5

5.0 SUMMARY...... 5-1

6.0 REFERENCES...... 6-1 6.1 LITERATURE CITED...... 6-1 6.2 INTERNET SITES...... 6-1

List of Tables

Table 4-1 Fish Species Known to Occur in the Study Area ...... 4-6 Table 4-2 Relative abundance of large bodied fish species in the Smoky River ...... 4-7

List of Figures

Figure 2-1 Project Development Area, Local Assessment Area and Regional Assessment Area for Aquatic Ecosystem...... 2-2 Figure 3-1 August 2010 Depth Profile Transects in the Local Assessment Area ...... 3-3 Figure 4-1 Aquatic Habitat of the Smoky River Within the Study Area ...... 4-3

List of Photos

Photo 4-1 View Upstream of Proposed Water Intake Structure Location ...... 4-1 Photo 4-2 View Downstream of Proposed Water Intake Structure Location...... 4-2 Photo 4-3 Existing Bank Habitat at Proposed Intake Location...... 4-2 Photo 4-4 Typical Substrate Along Depositional Areas Within the LAA...... 4-5

i

Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 1.0: Introduction November 2010

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This report is a follow-up to the second round SIR 20 for the proposed HR Milner Expansion Project. In the response to SIR 20, a commitment was made to conduct additional fish sampling in the vicinity of the project during the late fall period.

This report presents the results of the late fall sampling including fish species present and whether evidence of use of the area for spawning was found. The results have been combined with previous information to give context and to provide a complete view of the fisheries sampling in a single document.

1-1

Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 2.0: Project Location November 2010

2.0 PROJECT LOCATION

The proposed intake is part of the Milner Site expansion and is located 20 km north of the Town of Grande Cache. Figure 2-1 shows the regional setting, topography and major water features in the vicinity of the Milner Site.

The Project is located in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains north of the Willmore Wilderness Park. The existing facility is presently reached by a private access road off Highway 40. Highway 40 is the primary transportation corridor in the vicinity for the Milner Site. Highway 40 and the private road will also serve as access to the Proposed Facilities including the proposed water intake.

The Smoky River is the nearest water body, and is located adjacent to the Milner Site. A wetland body is located in the northern portion of the Milner Site. The Muskeg River joins the Smoky River downstream (north) of the Milner Site and Sheep Creek joins the Smoky River further downstream (north) of the Muskeg River/Smoky River confluence.

The Smoky River originates in the Rocky Mountains near Jasper National Park and flows 492 km north toward the Peace River, draining about 20 percent of the Peace River basin (Northern River Basins Study 2009, Internet site). The Smoky River is a small, clear river with a rocky substrate located throughout its length providing habitat to several important sport fish species as well as many coarse forage fish species.

There is an existing water intake located in 2-10-58-8 W6 (UTM 5986296 N, 362573 E, Zone11). This intake, which was constructed in August 1969, covers an area 107 m by 143 m (approximately 1.5 ha). The proposed intake is located at 16-10-58-8 W6 (UTM 5986280 N, 362980 E, Zone 11) on Maxim Power Corps. Milner Site and covers an area approximately 0.21 ha, including the floodplain excavation required for the shallow bay to be created

2-1 TWP. 59 TWP. 59 TWP. 59 RGE. 9 RGE. 8 TWP. 59 RGE. 7 RGE. 6

Sheep Creek TWP. 58 RGE. 9 Wanyandie Flats (West Cooperative)

Smoky River

Muskeg River

TWP. 57 RGE. 9 Mitay imin Creek Washy Cre ek

B ea ve r D am R Gr ande oa Carconate Creek d Joachim Mount ain (Enterprise) Susa Creek Roddy Creek Peavine Lake

Kamisak (Enterprise)

Victor Lake HR Milner Generating Station Victor Lake (Cooperative) Aquatics Local Assessment Area

Aquatics Regional Assessment Area

Town Boundary

TWP. 56 Railway RGE. 9 Road

Highway 40

Enterprise/CO-OP Zone

0 1 2 3

kilometres - 1:150,000 UTM Zone 11 - NAD 83 JW-1033372-053

NT PREPARED BY HR MILNER EXPANSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

BC AB SK

PREPARED FOR Area Project Development Area, Local Assessment Area and of Interest Regional Assessment Area for Aquatic Ecosystem

FIGURE NO. Data Provided By: AltaLIS (2006), Government of Canada (2007), Colt Engineering (2008), Valtus (2006). NOTE: Drawing originally formated for 8.5X11 printing size.

2-1 Last Modified: October 8 2010 By: csteiner Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 3.0: Methods November 2010

3.0 METHODS

Fish habitat and fish community information was collected within a 5-km reach of the Project Site, from 1 km upstream to 4 km downstream (Figure 3-1). This area is referred to as the Local Assessment Area (LAA). The intent of the study was to:

 identify aquatic habitat parameters such as substrate, channel morphology, instream cover (e.g., logs, boulders), overhead cover, bank stability, potential instream barriers and aquatic vegetation  identify critical or sensitive areas for fish spawning, rearing and overwintering  identify potential areas for compensation, if required, of existing fisheries and aquatic resources  characterize the fish community during different seasons.  measure general water quality parameters such as water temperature, pH, conductivity and turbidity.

Site visits were conducted in October 2006, June 2008, August 2010 and October 2010.

3.1 Habitat Survey

The habitat survey of the Smoky River LAA was completed in June 2008. The survey included the shoreline immediately adjacent to the existing development area. Habitat classification was primarily based on the Large River Habitat Classification System (R.L. & L. 1994), with some reference to the Stream Survey Field Guide and Fish Habitat Inventory and Information Program (Department of Fisheries and Oceans and British Columbia Ministry of Environment 1989). An additional habitat survey was conducted within the LAA on August 28, 2010. Depth along the thalweg (deepest part of the channel) was measured throughout the entire reach. Five depth transects across the width of the channel were conducted in the vicinity of the proposed intake location. Other habitat features were noted and compared to the previous habitat map for the area. Flow at the time of assessment was approximately 100 m3/s as recorded at the gauging station above Hells Creek (nearest gauging station upstream of the Town of Grande Cache).

3.2 Fish Community Sampling

On October 9, 2006, fish sampling was conducted on the Smoky River, in the vicinity of the Milner Site. Fish sampling was conducted using a backpack electrofisher (settings: K5 300-400 volts) at 2226, 1184, 676 seconds, respectively for each site. Two Gee-type minnow traps were also utilized for a duration of 12 hours per set.

Additional collection of field data was conducted on two separate trips, August 25-26, 2010 and October 26-27, 2010. The purpose of the August survey was to collect data from the summer season. In addition, relative abundance information was obtained from RL&L (2001) in order to facilitate a comparison to the

3-1 Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 3.0: Methods November 2010 current data. While the primary focus of the October visit was to collect late fall fish data, there was also an effort to determine mountain whitefish spawning usage of the survey reach.

In both August and October, backpack electrofishing was conducted at three locations along the shoreline. Locations were chosen upstream, downstream and across the Smoky River from the proposed intake location. Sites chosen had similar habitat and velocity and represented the typical shoreline habitat within the LAA. All backpack electrofishing was conducted using a Smith-Root LR-24 backpack electrofisher. In August it was set at 300 V, 5 ms pulse at 40 Hz. In October the electrofisher was set at 350 V, 3.2 ms pulse at 40 Hz. These settings were chosen based on conductivity conditions at the time of the survey.

Boat electrofishing was conducted along a 5 km section of the Smoky River within the LAA during both 2010 surveys. The study section extended from 1 km upstream to 4 km downstream of the proposed intake location. This section was chosen as it contained all available habitats within the LAA, including riffles, runs and a large pool. Electrofishing was conducted using a Smith-Root Model 1.5kVa boat electrofishing unit connected to a 2500W external generator and using a single anode boom with a 4 wire umbrella array. The unit was set to 250 volts and frequency of the unit is fixed at 120 Hz. Output was between 2.5 and 3A. Both banks were fished within the study area.

An air lift built from PVC tubing and attached to an air compressor was utilized to locate mountain whitefish eggs throughout the reach upstream and downstream of the proposed intake. All suitable spawning habitats within 3km (1 km upstream, 2 km downstream) of the proposed water intake were sampled. Suitable spawning habitat was defined as deep runs with cobble or small boulder substrate.

3-2 361000 362000 363000 364000 365000 366000 5988000 5988000

Smoky River 5987000 5987000 Highway 40

T5

Transect Thalweg End of Electrofishing T2 Water Intake Location Power Plant Site

5986000 Thalweg 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 5986000

Kilometres - 1:15,000

123510476-010 NAD 83 ZONE 11

361000 362000 363000 364000 365000 366000

PREPARED BY NT HR MILNER EXPANSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

PREPARED FOR AreaAB SK BC of August 2010 Depth Profile Transects in the Local Assessment Area Interest

FIGURE NO.

USA 3-1 LastModified: Oct. 12, 2010 By: CSteiner Filepath: Z:\Clients\Maxim_Power\Maxim_SIR_R2_123510029\Figures\JW-123510476-010_SIR2-1_intake_thalweg_depthtransects.mxd

Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 4.0: Results November 2010

4.0 RESULTS

4.1 FishHabitat

The Smoky River adjacent to the proposed water intake is classed a single main channel with no permanent islands, occasional side bars and limited development of exposed mid-channel bars at low flow (Figure 4-1 and Photos 4-1 and 4-2). The substrate is a relatively even mixture of gravel and cobble, with large boulders along the shorelines. The main channel is primarily Class 1 run (TRANS 2001) habitat, with a thalweg depth between 1.2 and 1.5 m and a predominantly cobble substrate slightly embedded with fine material. Turbidity from fine glacial material in the river provides excellent cover for fish. Surface velocity at the time of the summer 2010 field study was an average of 1.5 m/s in the main channel. There were some riffles through side channels and two sets of rapids within the study area. The shoreline consists of two main types. The first is a steep bank topped by a mixture of shrubs and trees adjacent to deep water (see Photo 4-3). The other is a predominantly cobble bar adjacent to shallow water with some gravel and fine material (see Photo 4-4). During the August sampling, depth and velocity in the areas where backpack electrofishing was conducted were 0.20 m and 0.4 m/s respectively. In October the average depth and velocity were 0.27 m and 0.32 m/s respectively. The only pool in the study area is at the Smoky River confluence with the Muskeg River. During both 2010 surveys, the pool extended approximately one-third of the channel width across the Smoky River and had a maximum depth of 2.5 m.

Photo 4-1 View Upstream of Proposed Water Intake Structure Location

4-1 Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 4.0: Results November 2010

Photo 4-2 View Downstream of Proposed Water Intake Structure Location

Photo 4-3 Existing Bank Habitat at Proposed Intake Location

4-2 360000 361000 362000 363000 364000 365000 366000 367000 5989000 5989000

R2 S 5988000 5988000

RR R1

GL Syne RF M RF U R2 RF

5987000 BW M R2 5987000 R2 RP U Highway 40 Syne

R3 RF M M RF

RF R3 R3

R1 Water Intake Location P1 RP S RF 5986000 5986000 R2 Benthic Invertebrate Sampling Site Bank Habitat Type Channel Features U A1 - Class 1 Armoured: Largely stable and at repose; cobble/small boulder/gravel BW Water Quality Sampling Site predominant; uniform shoreline configuration; bank velocities low-moderate; instream/overhead cover limited to substrate and turbidity. S Channel Type A2 - Class 2 Armoured: Cobble/large boulder predominant; irregular shoreline due to GL U U - Single main channel, no permanent islands, side bars occasionally present, cobble boulder outcrops producing BW habitats, bank velocity low (BW)/moderate; limited development of exposed mid-channel bars at low flow. instream/overhead cover from depth, substrate and turbidity. RR

S S - Two channels around single, permanent island, generally extensive side and A4 - Class 4 Armoured: Artificial riprap substrates consisting of angular boulder-sized fill; mid-channel bars often present at low flow. often associated with high velocity areas; shoreline usually regular; instream cover Syne from substrate; overhead cover from depth/turbulence. M - More than two channels and permanent islands, generally extensive side and P1 - Pools: are deeper and wider than channel units immediately above or below it M mid-channel bars at low flow. E2 - Class 2 Erosional: High, steep wooded banks with terraced profile; unstable; fines; and are usually formed by the scouring or plunging action of water. Sub-surface velocities moderate-high offshore velocity; moderately deep immediately offshore; are slow (water surface may be fast and turbulent depending on formative feature) and the moderate amount of instream vegetation. substrate usually composed of fines or small gravel. R1 Project site E3 - Class 3 Erosional: High, steep eroding banks; loose till deposits (gravel/cobble/sand); R1 - Class 1 Run: Highest quality/deepest run habitat; coarse substrate; high instream cover from substrate and/or depth. Generally >1.0m deep. Electrofishing Reach moderate-high velocities and depths; instream cover limited to substrate roughness; overhead cover provided by turbidity. R2 - Class 2 Run: Moderate quality/depth; high-moderate instream cover except at low flow. E4 - Class 4 Erosional: Steep, eording/slumping highwall bank; primarily fines; Generally >0.75-1.0m deep. 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 moderate-high depths / velocities; instream cover limited to occasional BW formed by R3 - Class 3 Run: Lowest quality /depth; generally shallow and slow or shallow/fast type; bank irregularities; overhead cover from depth/turbidity. low instream cover in all but high flows. Generally 0.5-0.75m deep. 5985000 5985000 E5 - Class 5 Erosional: Low, steep banks, often terraced; fines; low velocity; RF - Riffle: High velocity/gradient; surface broken due to submerged or exposed Kilometres - 1:20,000 shallow-moderate; no instream cover; overhead cover from turbidity. bed material. Generally <0.5m deep. RP - Rapids: Steps and pocket pools common, cobble/boulder substrate with some exposed boulders at lower flows. Considerable turbulence, some whitewater, fast velocity JW-1033372-027 (>0.5 m/s), 4-7% slope. NAD 83 ZONE 11 Smoky River 360000 361000 362000 363000 364000 365000 366000 367000

PREPARED BY NT HR MILNER EXPANSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

PREPARED FOR AreaAB SK BC of Aquatic Habitat of the Smoky River Within the Study Area Interest

FIGURE NO.

USA 4-1 LastModified: Jan. 16 By:CSteiner

Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 4.0: Results November 2010

Photo 4-4 Typical Substrate Along Depositional Areas Within the LAA

The Smoky River near the Milner Plant Site provides habitat suitable for rearing and feeding and is likely a migratory corridor for many fish species including bull trout, mountain whitefish and longnose sucker. Mountain whitefish have few habitat preferences for spawning other than gravel or cobble substrate. The Smoky River has predominantly a coarse substrate of gravel, cobble and boulders throughout the LAA, which provides abundant spawning habitat for mountain whitefish. Bull trout are fall spawners that live as adults in larger mainstem rivers and use smaller tributaries for spawning. They would not use the LAA as spawning habitat. Slimy sculpin construct nests under boulders or large flat rocks, both of which are abundant along the shoreline of the river.

4.2 Fish Community

From 1997 to 2006, eight species of sport and forage fish species have been reported in the Smoky River and its tributaries, including Sheep Creek, within 15 km of the proposed intake (ASRD 2010, Internet site). Species reported from the area and the season they were captured are shown in Table 4-1.

4-5 Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 4.0: Results November 2010

Table 4-1 Fish Species Known to Occur in the Study Area

Spring Summer Fall Winter Common Name Scientific Name (May-June) (July-August) (Sept-Oct) (Nov-April) Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus P P ND bull trout Salvelinus confluentus P P P ND mountain whitefish Prosopium williamsoni P P P ND rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss P P ND white sucker Catostomus commersoni P* ND longnose sucker Catostomus catostomus P P P ND slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus P P P ND longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae P* ND NOTES: P = Species Present ND = No Data for this season P* = Species present, but is represented by a single individual

No data currently exists for the winter (under ice) period. This is due to the technical challenges and safety issues associated with sampling fish during the winter. Based on the survey data collected to date, it is assumed that mountain whitefish, longnose sucker, slimy sculpin, bull trout and Arctic grayling will be present in the study area during the winter. The October survey in 2010 confirmed these species are present in the Smoky River during late fall/early winter. At this time, mature bull trout that were not present during summer sampling were found throughout the system. Mature mountain whitefish showing evidence of having spawned were found throughout the reach; numerous males excreted milt when handled.

An additional purpose of the October 2010 survey was determining whether mountain whitefish utilize the reach surrounding the proposed water intake for spawning purposes. The airlift sampler was deployed for approximately 14,400 seconds over 1218 m of potentially suitable habitat. Extra effort was expended in the area immediately surrounding the proposed water intake. The two eggs collected were found approximately 1.5 km downstream of the proposed intake structure location. Although this is a low success rate relative to effort expended, a 1:2 year flood event occurred (AENV 2010) and discharge in the river was approximately 5 times higher than normal fall discharge. This may have resulted in eggs being moved downstream.

Of the fish identified in Table 4-1, only four species were captured using boat electrofishing in sufficient numbers for calculation of relative abundance. Table 4-2 shows relative abundance of each of these species captured in the spring, summer and late fall.

4-6 Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 4.0: Results November 2010

Table 4-2 Relative abundance of large bodied fish species in the Smoky River

Spring Summer Fall Common Name (May-June) (July-August) (Sept-Oct) (fish/km) (fish/km) (fish/km) Arctic grayling 0.2 0 0.4 bull trout 2.3 1.6 5.6 mountainwhitefish 9.0 34 15.2 longnosesucker NR 2.4 0 NOTES: NR = Not Reported

Mountain whitefish was the most abundant species in spring, summer and fall and was captured throughout the study area. Juvenile and adult stages were captured in all sampled seasons. None of the individuals captured in August 2010 were in spawning condition. Many of the individuals captured in October exhibited signs of having spawned. Three males excreted milt when light pressure was applied to the abdominal area. Four unfertilized eggs were found in the fish tub while holding captured fish. Many individuals were missing scales and had increased coloration at the operculum area. Only the areas of fast water associated with rapids did not contain mountain whitefish.

Bull trout were captured in smaller numbers in all seasons and were also not associated with a particular habitat type. In the summer only juvenile bull trout were captured, while in the late fall most were sexually mature individuals. Longnose sucker were captured throughout the reach, but during the summer survey were more concentrated in slower water adjacent to side channels of the river. No Arctic grayling were captured in the summer of 2010 and were reported in GCCC (2001) to be found only at the confluence with Sheep Creek and Muskeg River. The fall sampling captured two mature arctic grayling with two additional individuals missed approximately 1 km upstream of Muskeg River in a slow Class 1 run habitat.

Backpack electrofishing along the shoreline found both juvenile mountain whitefish and juvenile and adult slimy sculpin in the summer. Slimy sculpin were the most abundant along the shallow margins, with a CPUE of 8.1 fish/100 seconds in the spring, 0.7 fish/100 seconds in the summer and 2.6 fish/100 seconds in the fall. Young-of-the-year (YOY) slimy sculpin were captured at all backpack electrofishing locations during the August and October 2010 surveys.

No detailed information on fish movements were recorded, but can be inferred from the abundance data. Based on the relative abundance, it would appear that mountain whitefish migrate into the LAA during the summer. Reduced numbers of whitefish were found in the fall after spawning occurred. Other species movement patterns cannot be clearly identified due to their small numbers.

None of the species caught in the Smoky River in 2006 near the proposed water intake are federally listed as species at risk. Bull trout are considered to be a ‘species of special concern’ in Alberta – these are species that are particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events such as over harvesting, habitat degradation and competition from introduced species (ASRD 2010, Species at Risk internet site). Arctic grayling are considered to be ‘sensitive’ in Alberta – which is defined as any species that is not at risk of extinction or extirpation but may require special attention or protection to prevent it from becoming at risk (ASRD 2010, Species at Risk internet site).

4-7

Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 5.0: Summary November 2010

5.0 SUMMARY

The Smoky River in the vicinity of the Milner Power Plant supports a coldwater fish community consisting primarily of sculpins, mountain whitefish and bull trout. Arctic grayling, rainbow trout and longnose sucker are also present. Based on the habitat requirements of each species, the Smoky River is expected to provided habitat for all life stages of slimy sculpin and mountain whitefish. Arctic grayling, bull trout and rainbow trout spawn in clean gravel in tributary streams and return to the main river after spawning to feed and overwinter. Substrate within the main channel of the Smoky River is not expected to be suitable for spawning of these species. Juveniles of each species generally spend the early part of their life in the tributary stream before migrating to the larger river to grow into adults. Overwintering takes place in pools and deep runs, both of which are present within the LAA.

5-1

Milner Expansion – 2010 Supplementary Fisheries Information Section 6.0: References November 2010

6.0 REFERENCES

6.1 Literature Cited

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and British Columbia Ministry of Environment. 1989. Fish Habitat Inventory and Information Program: Stream Survey Field Guide.

Grande Cache Coal Company. 2001. Grande Cache Coal Project Environmental Impact Assessment: Volume 5: Part 4: Aquatic Resources. Report submitted to Alberta Environment.

R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. 1994. A General Fish and Riverine Habitat Inventory, Athabasca River, April to May 1992. NRBS Project Report N. 32. Edmonton, Alberta. 74 pp. + App.

6.2 Internet sites

Alberta Environment, 2010. Alberta River Basins: Smoky River above Hells Creek. Available at: http://www.environment.alberta.ca/apps/basins/DisplayData.aspx?Type=Figure&BasinID=1&Data Type=1&StationID=RSMOHELL

Northern River Basins Study 2009, Northern River Basins Study Final Report. Available at: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/nrbs/toc.html. Accessed: November 2009.

Statistics Canada 2009, Principal Rivers and their tributaries. Available at: http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/phys06-eng.htm. Accessed: November 2009.

6-1