 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
Little Bridge Creek Restoration Objectives To reduce the impacts of agricultural management practices on the fish habitat of Little Bridge Creek as they pertain to water quality. FRBC Region/ MELP Region/ MoF Region Cariboo/Cariboo/Cariboo Author Michael Parker Proponent Ainsworth Lumber Watershed Little Bridge Creek. Location Little Bridge Creek is a tributary to Bridge Creek, and flows through the community of 100 Mile House in the 100 Mile Forest District. Introduction A MELP survey of Exeter Lake, within the Little Bridge system revealed the presence of a large number of Lake White Fish, a Provincially red listed species. Rainbow trout were the target species for the efforts on this system. Ainsworth Lumber negotiated with Bridge Creek Estates and FRBC to undertake improvements on private ranch lands that run through the community of 100 Mile House for the benefit of fish habitat in Little Bridge Creek and public education / awareness of correct herd management practices. In 1996 Ducks Unlimited provided fencing around Exeter Lake and the reach of Little Bridge Creek below the lake. Up stream reaches were unprotected from cattle impacts. Assessments and Prescriptions Overview FHAP Assessment of Bridge Creek Watershed was completed in 1997 by Bioterra Consulting Ltd. Level 2 prescriptions were completed in Little Bridge Creek sub-basin during 1998, and subsequent in stream works began during the fall of this year. Rehabilitation Work This project is a private land project dealing with agricultural impacts on Little Bridge Creek. Approximately 1.4km of Little Bridge Creek was fenced to exclude cattle access to the riparian area. Four fords and cattle watering / crossing locations were replaced with log crib bridges made with materials donated by the landowner. An abandoned low head weir was removed to improve fish access, and pool habitat excavated and complexed at the site. Three small trodden springs were developed for cattle watering away from the mainstem by installing concrete cistern's as catchments. Cost Summary
*all prices are estimates Restoration Results As the primary spawning habitat for Rainbow trout in Exeter Lake the reach above the lake underwent several improvements to limit the impact of cattle on the fish habitat of Little Bridge Creek. Reduced sedimentation from fencing and providing crossings along approximately 1.4km of stream, and developing alternate watering sources should help the local population. Proposed Work No further works are proposed for Little Bridge Creek. Level 2 prescriptions are expected for other locations on Bridge Creek during 1999, with possible in stream activities getting underway before the end of the year. For Further Information contact: Michael Ramsay Or Paul Christensen
|
||||||||||||||
 |
|