Coldwater River Restoration of Structures to Protect Investments in Habitat


Year 2011
Proponent Nicola Tribal Association
Project type Habitat
FSWP funding source Living Rivers
Grant amount $10,992
Total project value $15,700
ID number FSWP11-LR24-H

Location: Thompson, Coldwater River

Project Summary

SUMMARY

For a number of years the Nicola Tribal Association (NTA) has carried out instream habitat restoration projects on the Coldwater River under the auspices of the Coldwater River Watershed Recovery Plan (CRWRP).  The FSWP and other funding agencies have invested a great deal of money into these projects.  NTA crews have noted sites where low cost maintenance is warranted in order to protect the effectiveness of work previously completed (i.e., the investments).

DESCRIPTION

For a number of years now the NTA has carried out instream habitat restoration projects on the Coldwater River, under the auspices of the Coldwater River Watershed Recovery Plan (CRWRP).  Projects vary in scope and cost, and have been funded by various agencies.  The FSWP and other funding agencies have invested a great deal of money into these projects.  All projects were designed and engineered to the highest standards, but are not totally immune to catastrophic events such as ice jamming and flooding.  NTA crews have noted sites where low cost maintenance is warranted in order to protect the effectiveness of work completed (i.e. the investments).  One site been chosen where work is needed:
1. Site 11 (work completed July 2005): the stream bank was being quickly eroded at this site.  The installation of large woody debris (LWD) structures was completed to stabilize the stream bank and restore instream habitat values.  Adjacent agricultural land was also protected.  Ice jams and a severe flood caused some river redirection, damaging the last of the LWD structures and again eroding the river bank.  The channel has stabilized except for the area where the last structure was installed.

The goal of this project is to maintain and protect in excess of $150,000 of investment in restored habitat in the Coldwater River.  The site is not prone to ice jamming or flooding.  The Coldwater River system, as a whole is volatile.  From time to time during major events (ice jamming and flooding) various portions of the river undergo change. 
Large amounts of money are spent to restore instream habitat values.  Due to the volatility of the Coldwater River some of these construction works may become partially compromised from time to time.  The two sites described above, along with adjacent agricultural land, will suffer extreme deterioration unless the minimal repair currently required is carried out. 

OBJECTIVES

  • Maintain and protect in excess of $150,000 of investments in restored habitat in the Coldwater River, and ensure the effectiveness for the restoration structures is sustained over the long term.

METHODS

Upon notification of funding approval the MOE Section 9 permit application process for the proposed instream construction will begin.  In late spring materials, supplies, equipment and staffing will be organized.  Design of remedial works by experienced consultant (M. Gaboury, LGL Limited) will be completed prior to construction.  For Site 11, the failed structure is located at the downstream end of a series of LWD and boulder spurs.  The structure has been de-stabilized due to erosion of the streambed downstream as well as the stream bank behind the structure.  Stabilization of the streambed downstream of the structure may be required as part of the remedial design to prevent further erosion and channel headcutting.  Construction will be done during the instream work window (July 22 - Aug 1), and will include the replacement of one LWD structure.  Existing rock will be salvaged where possible.  The LWD structures (ponderosa pine rootwads with boles attached) will be embedded into the bank to provide anchoring.  Trenching and placement of logs and boulders will be performed with a 200 size hydraulic excavator.  Structures will be ballasted by cabling logs to oversized boulders using epoxy (Epcon Ceramic 6).  The epoxy-cabling attachment technique is described by Melville (1197).

Particular care will be taken to minimize disturbance to the riparian areas at each site.  An environmental monitor will be present during all periods of instream work, and containment equipment will be kept on site in the event of a fuel spill.

Seeding of disturbed areas will be completed immediately after construction is completed to prevent invasive plant species from becoming established.  Re-vegetation of riparian areas and installation of livestock exclusion fencing will be completed in the fall.  An as-built report of the constructed works will be prepared and provided to FSWP


BENEFITS

Maintenance of previously constructed restoration structures will ensure that the valuable habitat these works initially restored/created is maintained, contributing to the resilience of the Coldwater River ecosystem and eventual recovery of Interior Fraser Coho and early-timed spring Chinook populations.