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Debris cleared
to restore water flow to streams |
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2.
Wood debris is removed by hand.
A skilled crew is recruited to remove small log debris and cedar
shakes blocking the course of the stream. Logs not marked for
"complexing" (see #4 below) are winched out of the
creek bed.
3. Helicopters lift logs.
A helicopter is often used to remove large logs and slings of
small wood debris efficiently and with minimal impact to the
site.
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Log anchoring for renewal
of fish habitate
Salmon swimming
up stream to spawn
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4.
Streams are "complexed" with logs & stumps.
A natural stream does not resemble a drainage ditch so workers
actually add wood obstacles to create fish habitat, slow water
flow and enrich the creek with oxygen and nutrients.
Natural pools and eddies are re-created by anchoring large logs
or roots balls into the stream with steel cables. Gravel for
spawning salmon and plant cover for small fish are added. Already,
these efforts have greatly increased salmon returns.
Stream
Ecology
Stream restoration cannot be completed without also restoring
the riparian (stream side) habitat. Healthy creeks depend on
large diameter trees which provide a living network of roots
strong enough to withstand flooding, slow the movement of spawning
gravel, and provide stability to overhanging stream banks which
shelter small fish. Water quality is also greatly affected by
the surrounding forests, which also provide necessary nutrients
and shade for fish and wildlife.
Today, some
conifers have responded well to planting programs but until recently
log jams caused extensive flooding. This excessive water is favorable
to willows and shrubs, but greatly deters the growth of large
conifers. Without intervention, recovery of this system would
take hundreds of years or more. With silviculture (tree planting,
pruning and spacing) this recovery period could be shortened
to 25 to 50 years.
Adult cutthroat
trout, chum, and coho salmon returning to the creeks to spawn
and die also enrich the local wildlife and plants with a rich
source of nutrients.
Adult salmon
spawn in these creeks in the late fall. They will lay up to 4,000
eggs per pair. About 800 of these eggs will survive to hatch,
200 smolts will go to sea and of these only ten will reach adulthood.
Adults may travel as far as Alaska, California or even Asia depending
on their species
People who
live, work, and play in the Clayoquot Sound area are very much
aware of the state of their environment. As responsible stewards
much time and effort is invested in habitat enhancement and restoration
activities. |
.
. . Before
& After
