This spring, Trout Unlimited Canada completed the construction phase of the Policeman Creek Habitat Enhancement project in Canmore, Alberta. The goal of the project is to build upon previous enhancements of overwintering fish habitat within Policeman Creek. Due to changes in water management and groundwater flows, there has been limited wetted habitat for fish residing in the creek over winter for most of the last 15 years. Surface water in much of the creek during the winter months has been limited to a few shallow, isolated pools. During especially dry years, several salvage efforts have been completed in late spring to move fish from drying pools to functional deep water areas where they could survive until runoff.
In 2006, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, in conjunction with a local developer constructed overwintering pools in Policeman Creek near the Spring Creek Mountain Village. Trout Unlimited Canada biologists and volunteers conducted electrofishing assessments within three of these constructed pools in April 2010. The effort resulted in the capture of 199 fish including 99 Brook Trout, 78 Brown Trout, 19 Mountain Whitefish, and three Longnose Suckers. The electrofishing assessment demonstrated the importance and functionality of these pools in Policeman Creek in providing overwintering habitat to both juvenile and adult trout during low water years.
After two years of planning and baseline sampling including electrofishing and redd surveys, on April 16, 2012 TUC hired a local contractor to excavate five overwintering pools in Policeman Creek. Felled spruce trees, provided by Spring Creek Mountain Village, were placed in the pools to provide functional hiding cover for fish. A secondary benefit of the project involved the creation of islands within the creek that will provide quality waterfowl habitat.
The next phase of the project includes planting willows and grasses on the islands to promote a healthy riparian zone benefiting fish and wildlife. The final phase of the Policeman Creek Habitat Enhancement Project will include a multi-year monitoring program to assess fish use of the pools, to ensure the success of the island vegetation, and to evaluate any changes in spawning activity in Policeman Creek.
This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Alberta Conservation Association’s Grant Eligible Conservation Fund, the volunteer contribution of the TUC Bow Headwaters Chapter, and advice from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development – Fish and Wildlife Division.
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