A Sa l m o n i d To u r o f A Sa l m o n i d t h e Al b e r n i Va l l e y i o n We invite you to take a tour in the Stamp- To u r o f t h e system—one of the largest watersheds on , at with a drainage basin of 1280 square kilometres. Among the Al b e r n i Va l l e y most productive fisheries on Vancouver Island, this system accounts for close to 90% of the escapement for Barkley o c i Sound. The scale of the fishery is a testimony to:

- major enhancement by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, ss most notably the establishment of Robertson Creek

Hatchery on the upper Stamp River A

- ongoing restoration and enhancement of many t tributary creeks, much of it by done by volunteers. The tour provides an opportunity to visit a variety of sites with interpretive signage explaining: - ecosystems within the watershed - ongoing enhancement and restoration work - what to see at different times of the year n c e m e n a Sta r t Yo u r To u r at Vi c t o r i a Qu a y n h Overlooking the Somass Estuary, First Nations Welcoming

Figures greet visitors to the Alberni Valley and the Stamp- E Somass Watershed. To the left of the Welcoming Figures, signage celebrates the estuary: Produced by - its importance to First Nations from time immemorial l l e y a - its history from early post- contact to the present day V - its importance to all aspects of the present day fishery - the purchase and conservation of 100 hectares by the Pacific Estuary Conservation Program in l b e r n i 2001. Best Time to Visit: Year round to see eagles, hawks and waterfowl. A Bears are frequently seen along the opposite river bank, particularly in the fall. 1. Cl u t e s i Hav e n Ma r i n a 3. Ro g e r s The First Nations fishery dates Cr e e k Pa r k back for thousands of years. Near Rogers Creek is one of the most the mouth of Kitsuksis Creek, impacted streams in the Alberni opposite Clutesi Haven Marina, Valley and is the site of a major the remains of a traditional weir restoration project which began are visible at low tide. in 2007. Signage in the park high- Best Time to Visit: Any time of lights some of the work which has 6. Ro b e r ts o n Cr e e k Hat c h e r y year at extreme low tide. been done. Robertson Creek Hatchery on the upper Stamp has been the focus of ma- Best Time to Visit: Any time of year. jor enhancement on the Stamp-Somass since 1972. Its beautiful location provides an opportunity for bird—and occasionally bear— watching. 4. Ki ts u k s i s Best Time to Visit: Fall is the busiest time of year, when adult fish return and there is plenty for visitors to see, but the hatchery is worth a visit in any 2. So m ass Est u a r y Wa l k wa y a n d season. The hatchery is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Estuarine lands managed by Ducks Unlimited Canada lie directly across Sp e n c e r Pa r k the Somass River from Victoria Quay and Clutesi Haven marina. The 7. McLe a n Mi l l Kitsuksis Creek, in contrast to estuary is one of the most environmentally sensitive areas in the Alberni Rogers Creek, shows many of the In addition to being a national Valley and is important to many plants and animals: characteristics of a viable coho historic site, the McLean Mill - it provides critical habitat for juvenile salmonids as they make stream, with good spawning beds is also home to a salmon the transition from fresh to salt water and a well-developed riparian hatchery operated by the Al- berni Valley Enhancement As- - it is important to many species of birds year-round, but area. It has an average annual escapement of 8,000 fish, illustrating the importance of healthy tributary sociation. Fry are raised there particularly in winter when large numbers of swans, geese and streams. and educational programs other waterfowl can be seen there Best Time to Visit: Kitsuksis is a pleasant place to walk at any time of the year; are run from the hatchery. The - eleven endangered plant species are found in the estuary however, after the first heavy rains in fall, you may see adult fish jumping up the falls AVEA also operates upstream by the railway trestle at the east end of Spencer Park. and downstream fish traps at the mill site; returning adult fish and out- Access to the Ducks Unlimited lands is limited for conservation reasons. migrating fry are counted to assist in monitoring fish stocks. Best Time to Visit: The McLean Mill is open to the public during summer 5. Sta m p Fa l l s months, 10:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. daily. Pr o v i n c i a l Pa r k 8. Th e Al b e r n i Stamp Falls Provincial Park is Va l l e y Mu s e u m famous for its spectacular canyon and fish ladder. A new anglers trail The Alberni Valley Museum has a north of the falls was completed wealth of information on First Nations in 2008, opening up an additional history and culture, including traditional eight kilometres of the river to use of the fishery and artifacts discov- hikers and fishermen. Much of the trail passes through old-growth forest ered at Shoemaker Bay in the Somass and is impressive in all seasons. Estuary during the archaeological dig Photo credit: Alberni Valley Museum Photo credit: Alberni Valley Best Time to Visit: Fall is the best time of year to see fish negotiating the falls, but carried out in 1973 and 1974. the park is worth a visit at any time of year. Best Time to Visit: The museum is open year-round Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and open late on Thursdays, until 8:00 p.m. Alberni ~ Naturally Alberni Valley Interpretive Program

Beaver Barker Rd We invite you to take a tour through part of the Stamp - Somass River system - one of the largest watersheds on Vancouver Island L ong S Creek with a drainage basin of 1,280 square kilometers. is is home to t a m one of the most productive fisheries on Vancouver Island, p accounting for close to 90% of the escapement for .

Lo

T r

a Stamp River g i Road

l

Provincial Park T ra is map shows a variety of sites where interpretive signage has been in installed to help explain ecosystems within the watershed, ongoing u p T r R th ai i e enhancement and restoration work, cultural and traditional use of v l e the fishery, and the best opportunities for fish and wildlife viewing.

r r ive 6 Robertson Creek R Hatchery 5

Airport Central

McLean Lake Mill Road 7 E & N R a i l w a y

d R S m i t h Provincial Park

Somass 4 Seaton To To no and Uclulet B.C. Park Bea Park ve P ac r i y C Maplehurst c Rim Hw Sproat Lake r e Park e k P Reserve ac R i d c R im

Hw y Paper Mill Dam Park

4 B.C. To M is Parksville sio 4 n B.C.

S R h Ro iver o ad e Roa m d Highway a k 3 Rogers Creek Park e r

B a y 2

R d ry ua st E

ass 0 500 1500 2500 om S Distance in metres 4 Spencer Park Sites ofof interestinterest Spencer Inset Area Beaver Creek Rd Park 11. ClutesiVictoria Haven Quay Marina (start here)

t 1 Clutesi Haven Marina 22. Somass Estuary

e

l 2 Somass Estuary Shoemaker Bay Rd n 33. Rogers Creek Park River Rd I 3 Rogers Creek Park

44. Kitsuksis Walkway 1 i 4 Kitsuksis Walkway

2 n 3 55. Stamp River Provincial Park r 5 Stamp River Provincial Park

Victoria e

Quay b 6. Robertson Creek Hatchery Somass 6 Robertson Creek Hatchery Estuary l A 77. McleanMcLean Mill Mill

Echo Centre Park 88. TheThe Alberni Alberni Valley Valley Museum Museum

Powerline Park 8 Russell Powerline Park Somass Park Interpretive Program Sponsored by: Estuary 4 B.C. 3rd Ave 4th Ave 5th Ave 6th Ave 7th Ave 9th Ave 8th Ave 11th Ave 10th Ave 14th Ave Alberni 0 500 1000 1500 Inlet Distance in metres

Alberni Valley Enhancement Association