A large root was placed in a former OHV crossing to make the crossing impassable and reduce mud and silt entering the creek during runoff.
Making a difference. Native trout populations in Alberta’s eastern slopes are declining. Bull Trout, Alberta’s provincial fish, were once widespread and abundant across the eastern slopes. However, Bull Trout population distribution is 66% of its historical range. Management actions are required to target threats impacting Bull Trout and bring back populations to healthy and sustainable levels.
Specific threats vary by watershed and population but include fragmentation (when habitat is severed by culverts and dams), overexploitation (poaching, overfishing), habitat degradation (increasing water temperature, degraded water quality), and interactions with non-native species (competition). In Fall Creek, an important spawning tributary for the Ram River Bull Trout population, undesignated OHV use in and around the creek has destabilized the streambanks and led to erosion, causing extra mud, sand and silt to enter Fall Creek. OHV crossings crush developing eggs and excess mud from eroded banks dirties the water and covers eggs and aquatic insects, suffocating them.
In partnership with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) and the North Central Native Trout Recovery Program, Trout Unlimited Canada took action to improve water quality in Fall Creek. A total of 11 km and 61 OHV crossings were restored and OHV access to Fall Creek was shut down. To accomplish this, we used bioengineering techniques such as log walls, tree revetments, wattles, and planted native willows and grasses. These techniques work to not only make the crossings impassable but also to absorb, filter and slow the flow of muddy runoff during rain or snowmelt events. The use of bioengineering techniques works by first acting as a “living or natural fence” to mechanically prevent soil from washing away. As the willows and grasses grow, the roots will further stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. The over 4000 willows planted at Fall Creek will speed up the natural recovery process and provide healthy habitat for Bull Trout. We expect the Bull Trout population to increase in Fall Creek over the next five years. To test this, an electrofishing assessment was completed prior to the restoration work and the population will be monitored in the years to come.
TUC and AEP staff planting willows on Fall Creek to stabilize and restore the streambanks
The Fall Creek restoration is one of two major restoration projects in the upper North Saskatchewan River watershed to improve Bull Trout habitat completed this year by Trout Unlimited Canada and AEP. The Rocky Creek Rehabilitation Project was completed earlier this spring and involved similar goals and techniques.
Stay tuned for a volunteer workday in mid-August to wrap up riparian restoration at Fall Creek!
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