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Photo 4-23 Upstream view of flat habitat with woody debris in the LAA; WCDID-026 (August 22, 2018)
Photo 4-24 View of small debris jam in the LAA, facing the left bank; WCDID-026 (August 22, 2018)
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WCDID-029, Unnamed Tributary to the Elk River
The PDA will cross the unnamed tributary to the Elk River within an impounded area upstream from a beaver dam located within an existing ROW. This watercourse joins another unnamed tributary to the Elk River (WCDID-030) upstream from the beaver dam in the existing ROW. Substrate in the PDA is dominated by fines with some organic material. The LAA is a mix of glide and impounded habitat, resulting from several beaver dams within the LAA. Instream vegetation (sedges and impounded grasses and shrubs) and depth provide instream cover in the impounded areas. Woody debris provides instream cover within glide habitat and overhead cover is provided by woody debris and undercut banks. Riparian vegetation is dominated by grasses and shrubs with a lower proportion of coniferous trees.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0.08-0.28 m and water velocity at all stations was 0.03 m/s.
Spawning potential within the PDA is moderate for forage fish and poor for coarse and sport fish resulting from a lack of coarse substrate. Overwintering potential in the LAA is good for forage fish because of deeper areas within impounded habitat, but moderate for coarse and sport fish because of the potential for low DO under ice cover. Some areas of the tributary could freeze to bottom in winter. Rearing potential in the LAA is good, resulting from the presence of instream and overhead cover and moderate water velocities. Fish passage is poor resulting from several beaver dams and shallow water depths in some areas that could freeze to bottom in the winter.
No fish have been sampled to date in the unnamed tributary to the Elk River (AEP 2018a).
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Photo 4-25 Upstream view of glide habitat within the LAA; WCDID-029 (August 22, 2018)
Photo 4-26 Upstream view of a beaver dam in the LAA; WCDID-029 (August 22, 2018)
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WCDID-030, Unnamed Tributary to the Elk River
The PDA will cross the unnamed tributary to the Elk River within an impounded area upstream from a beaver dam within an existing ROW. This watercourse joins another unnamed tributary to the Elk River (WCDID-029) upstream from the beaver dam in the existing ROW. Substrate in the PDA is dominated by fines with some organic material. The LAA is a mix of glide and impounded habitat, resulting from several beaver dams within the LAA. Instream vegetation (sedges and flooded grasses and shrubs) and depth provide instream cover in the impounded areas. Woody debris provides instream cover within glide habitat and overhead cover is provided by woody debris and undercut banks. Riparian vegetation is dominated by grasses and shrubs with a lower proportion of coniferous trees.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0.2-0.8 m and water velocity was not detectable (0.00 m/s recorded on the velocity meter).
Spawning potential within the PDA is moderate for forage fish and poor for coarse and sport fish resulting from a lack of coarse substrate. Overwintering potential in the LAA is good for forage fish because of deeper areas within impounded habitat, but moderate for coarse and sport fish because of low flow. Some areas of the tributary downstream from the beaver dam could freeze to bottom in winter. Rearing potential in the LAA is good, resulting from the presence of instream and overhead cover and moderate water velocities. Fish passage is poor resulting from several beaver dams and shallow water depths in some areas that could freeze to bottom in the winter.
No fish have been sampled to date in the unnamed tributary to the Elk River (AEP 2018a).
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Photo 4-27 North view of impoundment upstream from beaver dam within adjacent ROW; WCDID-030 (August 22, 2018)
Photo 4-28 Upstream view of impounded channel within adjacent ROW; WCDID-030 (August 22, 2018)
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WCDID-031, Elk River
The PDA will cross the Elk River at a riffle with recorded depths less than 0.3 m. Substrate in the PDA is dominated by large cobbles with lower proportions of large gravels, small gravels, and boulders. The LAA is a mix of shallow run (<0.6 m water depth) and riffle habitat with a mix of substrate types. The LAA has a low proportion of cover, which is primarily provided by boulders and patches of woody debris. Some overhead cover is provided by undercut banks and overhanging vegetation. Riparian vegetation is dominated by shrubs with lower proportions of grasses and coniferous trees.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0.16-0.46 m and water velocity ranged from 0-0.26 m/s.
Spawning potential is good within the PDA and LAA resulting from the presence of suitable substrate, water depth, and water velocity. Overwintering potential is good in the LAA because of areas with water depths greater than 0.5 m. Rearing potential is good in the LAA because of the good instream and overhead cover, although limited, and moderate water velocity near the banks. No barriers to fish passage were observed during the survey.
Fish species documented in the Elk River include bull trout, brook stickleback, burbot, finescale dace, longnose dace, longnose sucker, mountain sucker, mountain whitefish, pearl dace, spoonhed sculpin, trout-perch, and white sucker (AEP 2018a).
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Photo 4-29 Upstream view of riffle near the downstream end of the LAA; WCDID-031 (August 21, 2018)
Photo 4-30 Upstream view of a shallow run, downstream from an existing ROW; WCDID-031 (August 21, 2018)
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WCDID-032, Unnamed Tributary to the Elk River
The PDA will cross the unnamed tributary to the Elk River within flat habitat upstream from a beaver dam within the adjacent ROW. Substrate in the PDA is a mix of fines and organic material. The LAA is a mix of flat and impounded habitat, resulting from several beaver dams within the LAA. Instream vegetation (sedges and flooded grasses and shrubs), woody debris, and depth provide instream cover. Overhead cover is provided by overhanging vegetation and undercut banks. Riparian vegetation is dominated by grasses and shrubs adjacent to fens and coniferous forest.
DO was below the guideline for cold water fish species (recorded at 5.26 mg/L), but other in situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0.02-0.13 m and water velocity was not detectable (0.00 m/s recorded on the velocity meter).
Spawning potential within the PDA is moderate for forage fish and rated as nil for coarse and sport fish resulting from a lack of coarse substrate and suitable aquatic vegetation. Overwintering potential in the LAA is moderate for forage fish because of deeper areas within impounded habitat, but poor for coarse and sport fish because of the potential for low DO under ice cover and the potential for some areas of the tributary to freeze to bottom. Rearing potential in the LAA is good, resulting from the presence of instream and overhead cover and moderate water velocities. Fish passage is poor resulting from several beaver dams and shallow water depths in some areas that could freeze to bottom in the winter.
No fish have been sampled to date in the unnamed tributary to the Elk River (AEP 2018a).
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Photo 4-31 South view of overgrown beaver dam within existing ROW; WCDID-032 (August 21, 2018)
Photo 4-32 Looking upstream towards the PDA; WCDID-032 (August 21, 2018)
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4.2 ALFORD CREEK SECTION
4.2.1 Desktop Review
The Alford Creek Section crosses two HUC8 watersheds:
• Clearwater River • Prairie Creek
Twenty-one (21) potential watercourse crossings were identified during desktop review of the Alford Creek PDA and subsequently assessed in the field. Fifteen sites were confirmed as watercourses, four sites were classified as drainages, two sites were classified as NDC, and three additional drainages were identified in the field (Table 4-4 and Table 4-5, Figure G.1-3).
4.2.1.1 Fish Presence in the RAA
Search results of the FWMIS database identified 24 fish species in the RAA of the Alford Creek Section (AEP 2018a, Table 4-6). Historical fish records for each watercourse are included in Table 4-4.
The RAA supports important recreational fisheries, including species such as brook trout, brown trout, burbot, northern pike, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, walleye, and yellow perch (GOA 2018c), and provides fisheries resources used for traditional purposes by Aboriginal groups. Species that have been documented in the RAA and that were identified as important to Aboriginal groups through Project- specific TK studies and a review of publicly-available literature are noted in Table 4-6. Detailed information regarding fisheries resources identified by Aboriginal groups engaged on the Project is presented in ESA Section 11.
Species at risk documented in the RAA include bull trout (GOA 2016, AEP 2018a). Species of management concern in the RAA include lake trout, northern redbelly dace, and spoonhead sculpin (AEP 2017b, AEP 2018a) and species identified as important to Aboriginal groups engaged on the Project (Table 4-6). See Section 4.1.1.1 for a description of bull trout and spoonhead sculpin life histories.
The lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is listed as sensitive under the General Status of Alberta Wild Species (AEP 2017b). Lake trout typically reside within cold, deep water lakes and spawn from mid-September to October on lakes coarse substrate shoals within lakes (Nelson and Paetz 1992, Scott and Crossman 1998). Lake trout declines are likely a result of overharvest (AEP 2017b). Within the RAA, lake trout have only been documented in Swan Lake, upstream from the PDA (AEP 2018a).
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The northern redbelly dace (Chrosomus eos) is listed as sensitive under the General Status of Alberta Wild Species (AEP 2017b). The northern redbelly dace has a clustered distribution and could be affected by habitat disruption caused by human activities (AEP 2017b). Northern redbelly dace feed on algae and zooplankton, and spawning occurs in the spring or early summer over various aquatic plants, including filamentous algae (Nelson and Paetz 1992, Scott and Crossman 1998).
4.2.1.2 Whirling Disease
Whirling disease has been confirmed within the North Saskatchewan River watershed, including the Clearwater River and Prairie Creek watersheds (AEP 2017a, GOA 2018a, GOC 2018, Figure G.1-2). Three watercourses proposed to be crossed by the Alford Creek Section have confirmed detections of whirling disease:
• Alford Creek • Prairie Creek • Swan Creek
The PDA, LAA, and RAA are within the confirmed red decontamination risk zone (GOA 2018a, Figure G.1-2).
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Table 4-4 Watercourses Supporting Fish and Fish Habitat Crossed by the Alford Creek Section
UTM Zone 11 (NAD83) Crossing COP Number Watercourse Name Easting Northing Legal Location Class a COP RAP a HUC8 Watershedb Fish Species Previously Documentedc WCDID-004 Clearwater River 641945 5771386 SW 10-36-7-W5M C September 1 to April 30 Clearwater River Brook trout; bull trout; brown trout; burbot; longnose dace; longnose sucker; mountain sucker; mountain whitefish; spoonhead sculpin; white sucker WCDID-005 Clearwater River (side channel) 641784 5771972 NE 9-36-7-W5M C September 1 to April 30 Clearwater River No fish sampled to date WCDID-006 Alford Creek 641015 5772540 NW 9-36-7-W5M C September 16 to April 15 Clearwater River Brook trout; brown trout WCDID-007 Matts Creek 636993 5777533 SW 31-36-7-W5M C September 16 to April 15 Prairie Creek Brook trout WCDID-009 Swan Creek 634009 5780699 SW 11-37-8-W5M C September 16 to April 15 Prairie Creek Brook trout; brown trout; burbot; longnose dace; longnose sucker; northern pike; white sucker WCDID-014 Vetch Creek 629351 5785521 SE 29-37-8-W5M C September 16 to April 15 Prairie Creek Brook trout; brown trout; mountain whitefish WCDID-016 Unnamed Tributary to Prairie 627399 5787457 SW 31-37-8-W5M C September 1 to June 30 Prairie Creek No fish sampled to date Creek WCDID-017 Prairie Creek 623044 5791280 NE 10-38-9-W5M C September 1 to June 30 Prairie Creek Brook trout; bull trout; brown trout; burbot; lake chub; longnose dace; longnose sucker; mountain sucker; mountain whitefish; northern pike; shorthead redhorse; spoonhead sculpin; walleye; white sucker WCDID-033 Unnamed Tributary to North 620937 5793119 NE 16-38-9-W5M C September 16 to June 30 Prairie Creek No fish sampled to date Prairie Creek WCDID-034 Unnamed Tributary to Cold Creek 619221 5794671 NW 20-38-9-W5M C September 16 to June 30 Prairie Creek No fish sampled to date WCDID-035 Cold Creek 617770 5796353 SE 31-38-9-W5M C September 16 to June 30 Prairie Creek brook trout WCDID-036 Unnamed Tributary to North 616813 5797516 NW 31-38-9-W5M C September 16 to June 30 Prairie Creek No fish sampled to date Prairie Creek WCDID-037 Unnamed Tributary to North 615696 5799590 SE 12-39-10-W5M C September 16 to June 30 Prairie Creek No fish sampled to date Prairie Creek WCDID-038 Unnamed Tributary to North 615110 5800268 SW 12-39-10-W5M C September 16 to June 30 Prairie Creek No fish sampled to date Prairie Creek WCDID-039 North Prairie Creek 614257 5801066 NE 11-39-10-W5M C September 16 to June 30 Prairie Creek brook trout; burbot NOTES: a ESRD (2012), ESRD (2013a) b HUC8 Watersheds of Alberta (AEP 2017a) c FWIMT (AEP 2018a)
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Table 4 - 5 Drainages Crossed by the Alford Creek Section
UT M Zone 11 (NAD83)
Crossing Number W ater Feature Easting Northing Legal Location COP Classa COP RAPa H U C8 Watershedb
W C DID- 008 Drainagec 636723 5777766 SE 36- 36- 8 - W5M N/A N/A Prairie Creek
W C DID- 011 Drainagec 632112 5782814 S W 15- 37- 8 - W5M N/A N/A Prairie Creek
W C DID- 012 Drainagec 631407 5783483 NE 16- 37- 8 - W5M N/A N/A Prairie Creek
W C DID- 013 Drainagec 630916 5783881 S W 21- 37- 8 - W5M N/A N/A Prairie Creek
W C DID- 013A Drainagec 630649 5784121 S W 21- 37- 8 - W5M N/A N/A Prairie Creek
W C DID- 042 Drainagec 630251 5784481 N W 21- 37- 8 - W5M N/A N/A Prairie Creek
W C DID- 043 Drainagec 627890 5786470 NE 30- 37- 8 - W5M N/A N/A Prairie Creek
NOTES:
a ESRD (2012), ESRD (2013a)
b HUC8 Watersheds of Alberta (AEP 2017a)
c No defined bed and banks at the proposed crossing location
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Watercourse Crossings Alford Creek Section
NOVA GAS TRANSMISSION LTD. EDSON MAINLINE EXPANSION PROJECT Figure G.1-3 EDSON MAINLINE EXPANSION PROJECT FISH AND FISH HABITAT TECHNICAL DATA REPORT
Results April 2019
Table 4-6 Fish Species Documented in the Alford Creek RAAa
Species Information Legislated Protection Scientific Review or Recommendation Watershedh Familyb Common Nameb Scientific Nameb SARAc Wildlife Actd COSEWICe AESCCf General Statusg Clearwater River Prairie Creek Catostomidae (suckers) longnose suckeri Catostomus catostomus No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure mountain suckeri,j Catostomus platyrhynchus No status Not listed Not at risk Not assessed Secure shorthead redhorsei Moxostoma macrolepidotum No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure - white suckeri Catostomus commersonii No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure Cottidae (sculpins) spoonhead sculpin Cottus ricei No status Not listed Not at risk Not assessed May be at risk Cyprinidae (carps and minnows) finescale dace Chrosomus neogaeus No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Undetermined lake chub Couesius plumbeus No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure northern redbelly dace Chrosomus eos No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Sensitive northern redbelly dace x finescale dace Chrosomus eos x Chrosomus neogaeus No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed pearl dace Margariscus margarita No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Undetermined Esocidae (pikes and mudminnows) northern pikei Esox lucius No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure - Gadidae (cods) burboti Lota lota No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure Gasterosteidae (sticklebacks) brook stickleback Culaea inconstans No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure Percidae (perches and darters) walleyei Sander vitreus No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure - yellow perchi Perca flavescens No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure - Salmonidae (trouts and salmons) brook trouti Salvelinus fontinalis No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Exotic/alien brown trouti Salmo trutta No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Exotic/alien bull trouti,k Salvelinus confluentus No status Threatened Threatened Not assessed At risk
cutthroat trouti Oncorhynchus clarkii No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Exotic/alien - lake trouti,l Salvelinus namaycush No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Sensitive - mountain whitefishi Prosopium williamsoni No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure rainbow trouti Oncorhynchus mykiss No status Not listed Not assessed Not assessed Secure
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Table 4-6 Fish Species Documented in the Alford Creek RAAa
NOTES: Species is present (AEP 2018a) - Species has not been documented (AEP 2018a) a The RAA includes three HUC8 Watersheds of Alberta (AEP 2017a), therefore, fish species records have been separated by HUC8 watershed b Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico (Page et al. 2013) c Species at Risk Act (GOC 2018a) d Alberta Wildlife Act – Wildlife Regulation (GOA 1997) e COSEWIC (GOC 2018a) f AESCC recommendation (GOA 2016) g General Status of Alberta Wild Species (AEP 2017b) h HUC8 Watersheds of Alberta (AEP 2017a) i Species that have been documented in the RAA and that were identified through Project-specific TK studies and a review of publicly-available literature as important to Aboriginal groups engaged on the Project j Saskatchewan-Nelson Rivers populations of mountain sucker k Saskatchewan-Nelson Rivers populations of bull trout l Historical presence of lake trout has only been documented in Swan Lake (AEP 2018a)
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4.2.2 Field Studies
A summary of the watercourses crossed by or within 30 m of the Alford Creek Section PDA is provided below. See Appendix A for fish habitat codes and descriptions of habitat units and channel characteristics. Summary data sheets for watercourses with fish habitat are included in Appendix B.
4.2.2.1 Watercourses Crossed by the Alford Creek Section
WCDID-004, Clearwater River
The PDA will cross the Clearwater River within an area of multiple flow branches and vegetated islands. Habitat within the flow branches is a mix of flat, glide, and shallow to deep run. Substrate in the PDA is a mix of fines, gravels, cobbles, and boulders. The LAA is dominated by run habitat with riffles, pools, glides, and backwater areas and a mix of substrate types. The LAA has a low proportion of cover, which is primarily provided by water depth and boulders with patches of woody debris (typically associated with pools). Riparian vegetation is a mix of grasses, shrubs, and coniferous and deciduous trees. Vegetation on islands is a mix of grasses, shrubs, and deciduous trees. See Appendix C for a map of fish habitat within the LAA.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0.08-0.3 m and water velocity ranged from 0.01-0.43 m/s, in side channels. The main flow channel was not measured because of safety concerns.
Spawning potential is good in the LAA, particularly within shallow runs and at the shallow fringes of deep run habitat adjacent to gravel bars. Overwintering potential is good in the LAA because of areas with water depths greater than 1 m. Rearing potential is good in the LAA, resulting from boulder cover and moderate water velocity in glides and backwater areas. No barriers to fish passage were observed during the survey.
Fish species documented in the Clearwater River include brook trout, bull trout, brown trout, burbot, longnose dace, longnose sucker, mountain sucker, mountain whitefish, spoonhead sculpin, and white sucker (AEP 2018a).
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Photo 4-33 North view from PDA at centre of channel; WCDID-004 (August 30, 2018)
Photo 4-34 South view from PDA at centre of channel; WCDID-004 (August 30, 2018)
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WCDID-005, Clearwater River (side channel)
The PDA will cross the Clearwater River side channel within flat (depositional) habitat. Substrate in the PDA is dominated by fines with lower proportions of organic material and cobbles. The LAA is a mix of shallow run, flat, riffle, and pool habitat. Substrate is of mixed composition, though relatively few boulders are present. Instream vegetation, comprised of emergent and submerged grasses and sedges, and woody debris, provide instream cover. Overhead cover is provided by undercut banks and overhanging vegetation. Riparian vegetation is a mix of grasses, shrubs, and deciduous and coniferous trees.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0.09-0.21 m and water velocity ranged from 0.08-0.14 m/s.
Spawning potential is poor within the PDA because coarse substrate is lacking in the section of flat habitat; however, spawning potential is good within the LAA resulting from the presence of suitable substrate, water depth, and water velocity. Overwintering potential in the LAA is good for forage fish and moderate for coarse and sport fish because of a large proportion of areas with water depths < 0.2 m. Rearing potential is good in the LAA because of good instream and overhead cover and moderate water velocity. No barriers to fish passage were observed during the survey.
No fish have been sampled to date in the Clearwater River side channel (AEP 2018a); however, fish species documented in the Clearwater River have the potential to occur within the side channel (see WCDID-004).
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Photo 4-35 View of pool with woody debris on left bank, within the LAA; WCDID-005 (August 31, 2018)
Photo 4-36 Upstream view of glide within the LAA; WCDID-005 (August 31, 2018)
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WCDID-006, Alford Creek
The PDA will cross Alford Creek within a shallow run (water depth < 0.6 m). Substrate in the PDA is a mix of fines, gravels, cobbles, and organic material. The LAA is a mix of shallow run, flat, riffle, and pool habitat. Substrate is of mixed composition, though relatively few boulders are present. Instream vegetation (emergent and submerged grasses and sedges) and woody debris provide instream cover, and overhead cover is provided by undercut banks and overhanging vegetation. Riparian vegetation is a mix of grasses, shrubs, and deciduous and coniferous trees.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0-0.2 m and water velocity ranged from 0-0.1 m/s.
Spawning potential is good within the PDA and LAA resulting from the presence of suitable substrate, water depth, and water velocity. Overwintering potential in the LAA is good for forage fish and moderate for coarse and sport fish because of a large proportion of areas with water depths < 0.2 m. Rearing potential is good in the LAA because of good instream and overhead cover and moderate water velocity. No barriers to fish passage were observed during the survey.
Fish species documented in Alford Creek include brook trout and brown trout (AEP 2018a).
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Photo 4-37 Upstream view of run habitat with aquatic vegetation in the LAA; WCDID-006 (August 29, 2018)
Photo 4-38 Upstream view of pool habitat with woody debris in the LAA; WCDID-006 (August 29, 2018)
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Results April 2019
WCDID-007, Matts Creek
The PDA will cross Matts Creek within a glide (water depth < 0.3 m). Substrate in the PDA is dominated by fines with some organic material. The LAA is dominated by glide habitat with a short section of riffle at the upstream end of the LAA. Substrate in the LAA is dominated by fines downstream from the PDA and is a mix of fines, gravels, and cobble upstream from the PDA. Woody debris provides instream cover and overhead cover is provided by undercut banks and overhanging vegetation. Riparian vegetation is dominated by grasses with a mix of shrubs and coniferous trees.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0.12-0.19 m and water velocity ranged from 0.02-0.15 m/s.
Spawning potential in the PDA and LAA is good for forage fish and poor for coarse and sport fish resulting from a lack of coarse substrate and presence of water depths typically less than 0.2 m. Overwintering potential in the LAA is moderate because of a large proportion of areas with water depths < 0.2 m. Rearing potential is good in the LAA because of good instream and overhead cover and moderate water velocity. No barriers to fish passage were observed during the survey.
Fish species documented in Matts Creek include brook trout (AEP 2018a).
4.55
EDSON MAINLINE EXPANSION PROJECT FISH AND FISH HABITAT TECHNICAL DATA REPORT
Results April 2019
Photo 4-39 Upstream view of glide habitat near downstream end of LAA; WCDID-007 (August 29, 2018)
Photo 4-40 Downstream view of riffle habitat at upstream end of LAA; WCDID-007 (August 29, 2018)
4.56
EDSON MAINLINE EXPANSION PROJECT FISH AND FISH HABITAT TECHNICAL DATA REPORT
Results April 2019
WCDID-009, Swan Creek
Swan Creek was dry at the time of assessment. The PDA will cross Swan Creek in an area dominated by cobble with gravels and fines. Substrate in the LAA is dominated by cobbles and gravels downstream from the PDA and is dominated by fines upstream from the PDA. Instream cover could not be recorded; however, overhanging vegetation is present at the banks. Riparian vegetation is a mix of grasses, shrubs, and deciduous and coniferous trees.
In situ water quality parameters could not be recorded at the time of assessment.
During the winter assessment, ice was present; however, the channel was dry beneath the ice.
Fish habitat potential was rated as nil as a result of the dry channel at the time of assessment.
Fish species documented in Swan Creek include brook trout, brown trout, burbot, longnose dace, longnose sucker, northern pike, and white sucker (AEP 2018a).
4.57
EDSON MAINLINE EXPANSION PROJECT FISH AND FISH HABITAT TECHNICAL DATA REPORT
Results April 2019
Photo 4-41 Downstream view of dry channel upstream from the PDA; WCDID-009 (August 27, 2018)
Photo 4-42 Upstream view of dry channel downstream from the PDA; WCDID-009 (August 27, 2018)
4.58
EDSON MAINLINE EXPANSION PROJECT FISH AND FISH HABITAT TECHNICAL DATA REPORT
Results April 2019
WCDID-014, Vetch Creek
The PDA will cross the unnamed tributary to Vetch Creek within an impounded area upstream from a large beaver dam. Substrate in the PDA is dominated by fines with some organic material. The LAA is a mix of impounded, glide, shallow run, and riffle habitat; dominated by fine substrate with coarse substrate present upstream from the PDA. Depth, turbidity, and instream vegetation (emergent and submerged grasses and sedge, and shrubs within impounded areas) provide instream cover and overhead cover is provided by undercut banks and overhanging vegetation. Riparian vegetation is a mix of grasses, shrubs, and coniferous and deciduous trees.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0.16-0.4 m and water velocity ranged from 0.01-0.2 m/s.
Spawning potential within the PDA is good for forage fish and rated as nil for coarse and sport fish resulting from a lack of coarse substrate and suitable aquatic vegetation. Spawning potential for coarse and sport fish is good upstream from the PDA. Overwintering potential in the LAA is good because of deeper areas within impounded habitat. Rearing potential in the LAA is good, resulting from an abundance of instream and overhead cover. Fish passage is poor resulting from several beaver dams, including one dam approximately 1.5 m high.
Fish species documented in Vetch Creek include brook trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish (AEP 2018a).
4.59
EDSON MAINLINE EXPANSION PROJECT FISH AND FISH HABITAT TECHNICAL DATA REPORT
Results April 2019
Photo 4-43 Northwest view of beaver dam approximately 175 m downstream from the PDA; WCDID-014 (August 26, 2018)
Photo 4-44 Upstream view of run at the upstream end of the LAA; WCDID-014 (August 26, 2018)
4.60
EDSON MAINLINE EXPANSION PROJECT FISH AND FISH HABITAT TECHNICAL DATA REPORT
Results April 2019
WCDID-016, Unnamed Tributary to Prairie Creek
The PDA will cross the unnamed tributary to Prairie Creek within a glide dominated by fine substrate. The LAA is composed entirely of glide habitat with a mix of substrate types. Woody debris provides instream cover and overhead cover is provided by overhanging vegetation and woody debris. Riparian vegetation is a mix of grasses, shrubs, and coniferous and deciduous trees.
In situ water quality parameters were within the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (CCME 2018) for the fish species documented within the RAA.
Water depth under the ice during the winter assessment ranged from 0-0.15 m and water velocity ranged from 0-0.13 m/s.
Spawning potential within the PDA is moderate for forage fish and poor for coarse and sport fish resulting from a lack of coarse substrate and suitable aquatic vegetation. Overwintering potential in the LAA is poor because of depths < 0.2 m and the potential for the tributary to freeze to the bottom. Rearing potential in the LAA is moderate, resulting from the presence of instream and overhead cover and moderate water velocities. Fish passage is poor resulting from small steps and shallow water depth and the potential for the tributary to freeze to bottom in the winter.
No fish have been sampled to date in the unnamed tributary to Prairie Creek (AEP 2018a).
4.61