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Location: Thompson, Nicola, Coldwater, Deadman Rivers and Louis Creek Project Summary
SUMMARY To determine the inflow rates of our confirmed groundwater upwelling sites, and attempt to identify the possible groundwater source areas of those sites to enable management and protection of this critical resource. By contributing to the future improvement of groundwater management we will also be contributing to the conservation of Interior Fraser (IFR) coho. OVERVIEW For three years studies have been conducted (led by NTA and SFC) to identify and determine the importance of groundwater upwelling areas as thermal refugia habitat for Endangered (COSEWIC) juvenile IFR coho during times of lethal peak mainstem temperatures. Just as we are learning the importance of groundwater for salmon persistence, we find that BC’s groundwater protection regulations are archaic and ineffective. The four systems being studied have a long history of critically high temperature regimes and low flows during summer. The past two years of studies have demonstrated that high water temperatures can only be mitigated by the continued availability of cool groundwater. The Conservation Strategy for Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Interior Fraser River Populations identifies a number of knowledge gaps. This study is addressing two of those: (1) determining what constitutes as important habitats for Interior Fraser coho populations, and (2) the relationship between, and the importance of, groundwater and surface water sources. This year the focus of the study moves from determining the relationship of juvenile IFR coho habitat usage and requirements to determining the characteristics of our confirmed groundwater upwelling sites, thereby assisting with identification of potential source areas. We will also be determining the land status and possible land use associated with the upwelling areas and possible sources. Identifying these areas will contribute to maintenance of their functionality, and efforts to maintain this critical refugia habitat. Developing more information about the groundwater upwelling sites (rates of contribution, temperature, dissolved oxygen, depth/direction of flow) will contribute to the improvement of groundwater management and as a result IFR coho conservation. This is a multi-year project. Year 1 (2007/08): funded by FSWP. Primarily a pilot and training exercise. NTA, SFC, Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NSTC), and Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO) participated. Year 2 (2008/09): funded by FSWP (NTA acquired small amount of additional funding from Habitat Stewardship Program). Results determined that some mainstem peak temperatures ranged from 23 - 25oC (25.1oC being the upper tolerance for juvenile coho). Preliminary analysis has shown that groundwater upwelling sites are cooler than mainstem control site stream temperatures and exhibited less daily variation in temperature. It was also observed that in some sites coho juveniles were within the groundwater upwelling areas more often than the paired control sites. Daily spatial patterns were observed in some streams. Not all study sites reached lethal temperature levels, but Nicola, Bessette, and McKinley streams did. Other study sites experienced elevated and thus stressful temperature levels for juvenile coho, which can result in increased mortalities. NTA, SFC, ONA, NSTC, and DFO participated. Year 3 (2009/10): funded by FSWP. Field work completed, results not available at this time. NTA and SFC participated. DFO was included but was unavailable during field work. Results from past study years have established a foundational understanding of juvenile IFR coho groundwater associated habitat usage and requirements. With confirmation of this we are now ready to move our focus toward groundwater protection - making recommendations to improving the management of groundwater in BC, and protecting this critical juvenile IFR coho rearing habitat. OBJECTIVES Objective #1 To quantify and define the characteristics of groundwater infiltration into confirmed groundwater upwelling areas.
As soon as spring freshet recedes enough to make entry into the river safe (late June/early July) field equipment installation will begin. Nested piezometers (pair of piezometers with one being set deeper than the other) will be installed along a transect at five locations in and out of the river: on right bank, in streambed near right bank, in thalweg, in streambed near left bank, and on left bank. At each of these locations (except the ones on land) a temperature data logger will also be deployed to record streambed temperature. Piezometers will be monitored monthly (June/July to October), or in shorter intervals if necessary (to be determined during initial sample day). During each sampling day the following will be recorded: water level, water temperature, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. Vertical gradient will then be calculated, which will aid in defining the characteristics of infiltration into the groundwater upwelling areas. Having piezometers in and out of the streambed will enable us to potentially describe the water table characteristics. Maps will be used to determine the land status and land use associated with the groundwater upwelling areas, which will aid in determining the potential vulnerabilities of these groundwater upwelling areas. A final report will be produced identifying particular site(s) for further investigation into protection/enhancement measures. The completed final report will contain study results and recommendations, which will contribute to the Nicola Water Use Management Plan (WUMP) and DFO’s Conservation Strategy for Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Interior Fraser River Populations.
This project addresses the fresh water habitat limitations to IFR coho as identified in DFO’s Conservation Strategy for Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Interior Fraser Populations. Key habitats for early life stages are critical to maintaining IFR coho populations. Results from years two and three have established a foundational understanding of juvenile IFR coho groundwater associated habitat usage and requirements. By ensuring that groundwater is properly managed critical fresh water rearing habitats for juvenile IFR coho will be protected and preserved.
Engage First Nations, government agencies and community groups/NGOs This is collaborative study conducted by NTA and SFC. Study results will contribute to the development of the draft Nicola Water Use Management Plan (WUMP).
The implementation of this study specifically addresses knowledge gaps identified in the Conservation Strategy for Coho Salmon (Oncorhychus kisutch), Interior Fraser River Populations. Interior Fraser Coho Recovery Team. 2006. Conservation Strategy for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), interior Fraser River populations. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Value-added aspects This study will further strengthen the working relationship between NTA and SFC. Informing Nicola WUMP and providing a tool for information and education outreach as well as inform government regulatory agencies of any potential issues regarding the long term maintenance of the groundwater resource. The project is complimentary in some respects to that completed recently by WWSS and Simon Fraser University (“Variability of Streamflow Temperature in Two Groundwater-Fed Streams, Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer, British Columbia”), which aimed to compare two groundwater-fed streams in the Lower Fraser Valley. Lessons learned from that study and communicated by Dr. Allen, with respect to field instrumentation deployment, were incorporated into this project proposal. This strengthens the synergistic aspects of these two groundwater and salmon projects. In addition, Dr. Allen has expressed an interest in collaborating with the project team via integration of project findings with the PhD project initiated in the Fraser Lowland study (Middleton, PhD in progress). Ms. Middleton aims to develop a framework for assessing the sensitivity of groundwater-dependent streams, particularly in relation to climate change impacts.
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