Hydrological assessment of the MusqueamCutthroat Creek Watershed | |
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Year
|
 |
2009 |
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Proponent
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Musqueam Ecosystem Conservation Society |
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Project type
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Habitat |
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FSWP funding source
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|
Living Rivers |
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Grant amount
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$38,280 |
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Total project value
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|
$49,710 |
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ID number
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09-LR101-H |
Location:
Greater Vancouver
Project Summary
Overview
Musqueam Creek is VancouverŐs last wild salmon stream supporting runs of wild Coho, Chum and
Cutthroat Trout. It is estimated that at one time this system supported returns of more than 300 Coho per
year. Today returns are much smaller hovering around 50 Coho per year.
The Musqueam Coho stock is wild and therefore holds the genetic variability needed to bounce back and
once again support abundant runs of wild salmon. Further, Musqueam having been steward
to these stocks for more than 4000 years, has a unique and important cultural relationship with this system which has proved to be a significant factor in the survival of this important stream.
Since 1996 the Musqueam Ecosystem Conservation Society has been working towards the protection and restoration of this system. It is our mission to work through science and traditional ecological knowledge towards protecting and restoring the full diversity of species and their habitats within the Musqueam Creek ecosystem, now and for future generations. Salmon are the keystone species in this endeavor.
Due to the extremely reduced summer time flow conditions experienced in both Musqueam and its tributary Cutthroat Creek over the past summer, our consultant FSCI Biological & Hydrological Consultants, recommended that we restructure our restoration priorities and address the hydrological concerns limiting the productive capacity for salmon in these creeks, before we restore any further in-stream habitat.
Objectives
1. Produce a collection & analysis of 1) hydrological data on the creek stream channels, watershed and aquifer; 2) biological data on salmonid smolt production and adult escapement estimates; 3) the flow capacity of the Pacific Spirit Park creek flow augmentation wells; and 4) Traditional Ecological
2. Produce a collection and analysis of detailed Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Light Detection & Ranging remote sensing, and stream survey data.
3. Produce 1) a detailed understanding of the hydrology of the Musqueam Creek watershed and 2) a detailed understanding of the productive capabilities of both Musqueam and Cutthroat Creek.
Methods
Our project will follow the following methodologyÉ
Hydrological Gauging
Work with FSCI Biological Consultants and community Streamkeepers to maintain and collect data from 6 stream gauging stations, pressure transducers and staff gauges which are recording data throughout the Musqueam/ Cutthroat Creek watershed and its stream channels.
Watershed Mapping
Work with FSCI Biological Consultants and Musqueam GIS Department to collect and analyze detailed GIS, LIDar and habitat survey map data on the watershed, stream channels, storm drains, trails roads, ditches, bogs, aquifer, wetlands, etc.. use this data to produce both a detailed GIS and outreach map.
Estimating Productive Capacity
Work with FSCI Biological Consultants and community Streamkeepers to maintain and collect data from smolt trapping station positioned in strategic locations within the Musqueam/ Cutthroat Creek system.
Analysis
Work with FSCI Biological Consultants to analyze all hydrological, biological, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and historic data collected.
Report & Recommendations
Work with FSCI Biological Consultants to write a draft State of the Watershed report. This report will include an introduction, description of the study area and its history, the methods used in this study, the results and findings, and discussion. The benchmark for this report will be the 1990 Kurt Fausch report: Management of Habitat in Musqueam Creek for Resident Anadromous Salmonids. Recommendations from project partners will be gathered, considered and incorporated in to the final report.
Final Results
The final report for the study is posted in the orange resource box to the right.
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