A Look at the 2024 COTTUS Project and the Fight to Protect the Rocky Mountain Sculpin
Jonathan Gosling
Tucked away in the cool, clear waters of Alberta’s upper St. Mary watershed, a tiny, unassuming fish is making waves in the conservation world—meet the Rocky Mountain Sculpin. This bottom-dwelling wonder is a master of disguise, blending seamlessly into the rocky streambeds it calls home. But despite its expert camouflage, the sculpin faces a very real threat from habitat degradation. That’s where the COTTUS Project, Conserving Our Threatened Teleosts, or commonly called Sculpins, comes in!
A Year of Discovery and Action
2024 was a busy year for the COTTUS team, as we worked to better understand and protect sculpin habitat in Lee Creek and Tough Creek, two smaller cold-water tributaries where these guys thrive. COTTUS in 2024 started off with salmonid stream surveys (because, let’s be honest, trout get a lot of attention too), followed by dedicated sculpin surveys. These involved everything from electrofishing (a method to safely catch and count fish) to measuring habitat features like flow rates, water quality, and streambed composition. The goal? To fill in critical knowledge gaps and ensure these pint-sized fish get the protection they deserve.
The Habitat Challenge
Like a game of ecological dominos, small changes in the environment can have big consequences for aquatic species. Trails, for example, might seem harmless, but decades of off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in the Pole Haven Grazing Lease (PHGL) have compacted soil, funneled sediment into creeks, and widened stream channels. Cattle grazing has added to the challenge, preventing vegetation from taking root along damaged banks.
With the Government of Alberta reopening parts of the PHGL to summer OHV use in 2024, it became even more crucial to manage these impacts. That’s why Freshwater Conservation Canada’s COTTUS team paired up with Leaf Ninjas (yes, that’s a real group of restoration experts!) to assess and propose trail realignments. The plan? Move problem trails out of floodplains, reduce unnecessary stream crossings, and help the land recover. Over 20 km of trails were assessed, with over 2 km recommended for realignment.
Giving the Land a Helping Hand
While nature is great at healing itself, sometimes it needs a little boost. This year, restoration efforts included installing new waterers for cattle to reduce their need to drink from the creek, fencing off sensitive riparian areas, and planting over 300 willows and cottonwoods to stabilize eroding banks.
A new bridge was also installed on Tough Creek to keep traffic out of sensitive aquatic habitats, and two rig mats (essentially, heavy-duty wooden crossings) were placed to eliminate the need for vehicles to ford streams.
Even with all these efforts, challenges remain. The PHGL landscape is still dealing with the long-term impacts of old OHV trails, cattle compaction, and historic habitat damage. But progress is being made, and each new initiative brings us closer to a healthier watershed.
The Rocky Mountain Sculpin: More Than Just a Tiny Fish
Why go through all this effort for a fish most people have never seen? Because the Rocky Mountain Sculpin is a vital part of Alberta’s aquatic ecosystems. It may not be flashy like some trout, but it plays a key role in the food web and serves as an indicator of stream health. The presence of sculpins means the water is clean and the habitat is functioning as it should.
Our 2024 fisheries assessments revealed that sculpins are thriving in previously undocumented reaches of Lee Creek and Tough Creek. This exciting discovery has led Freshwater Conservation Canada to recommend Tough Creek be designated as critical habitat for the species—a huge step toward long-term protection.
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
The work doesn’t stop here! In 2025-2026, the COTTUS team will continue advancing habitat restoration in the PHGL, trail realignments, and expanding riparian rehabilitation efforts. Public awareness will also be a big focus, with new signage planned for key areas, including the Town of Cardston, to educate locals and visitors on the importance of Alberta’s native fish.
By continuing these efforts, we hope to ensure that the Rocky Mountain Sculpin—and the ecosystems it relies on—are here to stay. After all, some treasures aren’t meant to be found easily; they’re meant to be protected.
Want to Get Involved?
Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities with Freshwater Conservation Canada and remember that responsible recreation goes a long way in protecting Alberta’s aquatic habitats. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or exploring, small actions can make a big difference for these hidden underwater gems!
