The Clisbako River sub-basin was divided into reaches based on homogeneity of stream gradient, channel confinement and substrate. The Clisbako River mainstem, up to a previously unidentified falls (approximately 24.8km upstream of the mouth), was divided into 12 reaches. Reach boundaries were based on the findings of the Level 1 Fish Habitat Assessment.

General characterisitcs used in describing reaches include reach length, gradient, channel type, channel confinement and substrate. Reach length is the measurement from the lower boundary to the upper boundary of the reach. Gradient is the average measurement of the water surface over the reach. Gradient is typically measured as a percent. Channel type is the general morphology of the stream channel within the reach. There are three basic channel types (step-pool, cascade-pool, and riffle-pool) which are further categorizied by substrate and debris. Refer to WRP Technical Circular No. 8 (Johnston and Slaney, 1996) for a more detailed description. Channel confinement is the limited lateral movement of the stream channel. For a description of channel confinement refer to Fish Habitat Inventory and Information Program, Stream Survey Field Guide (Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Ministry of Environment, 1989). Substrate is the size class of material on the streambed (WRP Technical Circular No. 8, Johnston and Slaney, 1996). Dominant substrate is the bed material that covers the largest area and sub-dominant substrate covers the second largest area within a habitat unit or reach. The different categories of substrate include, sands (<2mm diameter), gravels (2-64mm diameter), cobbles (64-256mm diameter), boulders (256-4000mm diameter) and bedrock (>4000mm diameter).

Reach 1 of the Clisbako River was Xm long, starting at the Clisbako River/Nazko River confluence, with an average gradient of 1.0%. The channel was a riffle-bar-pool and was frequently confined. The dominant/sub-dominant substrate within reach 1 was gravel/cobbles.

Reach 2 was determined to be Xm long, using a hipchain, and had an average gradient of 2.0%. The channel in reach 2 was a riffle-pool sequence that was confined. The substrate consisted of cobble/gravels with some boulders. The main change from reach 1 was the increase in gradient and substrate. The substrate was less compact in reach 2 with less siltation and provided better spawning habitat and substrate.

Reach 3, of the Clisbako mainstem, was determined to be Xm long. The reach had an average gradient of 4.0%. The channel in reach 3 was a confined riffle-pool sequence. The substrate consisted of boulder/cobbles. The main difference between reach 2 and reach 3 was the increase in gradient and substrate.

Reach 4 of the Clisbako River had a length of Xm and an average gradient of 0.5%. The channel in reach 4 was a riffle-bar-pool and was confined. Substrate in the reach was mainly gravel/cobbles with some boulders. The decrease in gradient, from 4.0% to 0.5%, and the decrease in substrate, boulder/cobbles to gravel/cobbles, were the main differences between reach 3 and reach 4.

The length of reach 5 was Xm. The average gradient from reach 4 to reach 5, of the Clisbako River mainstem, stayed the same, at approximately 0.5%. The channel type also remained a riffle-bar-pool. The channel confinement and substrate both decreased from reach 4. Channel confinement became frequently confined and substrate changed to gravel/cobbles and sands with no boulders present.

Reach 6 was Xm long with an average gradient of 1.5%. The channel in reach 6 was a riffle-pool sequence that was confined. The substrate was a combination of cobbles and boulders. The main change from reach 5 was an increase in gradient of approximately 1.0%, an increase in substrate from a dominant gravel bed material to cobble/boulder bed material, and the confining of the channel.

Reach 7 of the Clisbako River was Xm long with an average gradient of 0.5%. The channel was a riffle-bar-pool and was occasionally confined. The dominant/sub-dominant substrate within reach 7 was gravel/cobble with some sands. A new reach was established with the decrease in gradient, 1.5% to 0.5%, the decrease in confinement, a confined channel to an occasionally confined channel, and the decrease in substrate size, cobble/boulders to gravel/cobbles.

Reach 8 of the Clisbako River had a length of Xm and an average gradient of 1.0%. The channel in reach 8 was a riffle-pool and was confined. Substrate in the reach was mainly cobble/gravel with some boulders and bedrock. The gradient, channel type, channel confinement and substrate all changed from rech 7 to reach 8. Gradient increased slightly from 0.5% to 1.0%. The channel changed from an occasionally confined riffle-bar-pool to a confined riffle-pool and substrate changed from gravel/cobbles with some sands to cobble/gravels with some boulders and bedrock.

The length of reach 9 was Xm. The average gradient from reach 8 to reach 9, of the Clisbako River mainstem, stayed the same, at approximately 1.0%. The channel type also remained a riffle-pool. The channel confinement and substrate both changed from reach 8. Channel confinement became frequently confined and substrate changed to cobble/gravels with more boulders.

Reach 10 was Xm long with an average gradient of 6.0%. The channel in reach 10 was a boulder-cascade-pool sequence that was confined. The substrate was a combination of boulders and cobbles. The main change from reach 9 was an increase in gradient of approximately 5.0%, an increase in substrate from a dominant/sub-dominant cobble/gravel bed material to boulder/cobble bed material, and the confining of the channel.

Reach 11 of the Clisbako River had a length of Xm and an average gradient of 12.0%. The channel in reach 11 was a block-step-pool and was entrenched. Substrate in the reach was mainly bedrock/boulders. Changes between reach 10 and reach 11 were an increase in gradient, an increase in channel confinement, and an increase in substrate. The channel type also changed between reach 10 and reach 11.

The length of reach 12 was Xm. The average gradient from reach 11 to reach 12, of the Clisbako River mainstem, stayed the same, at approximately 12.0%. The channel confinement also remained the same, entrenched. Channel type and substrate were the two characteristics that changed from reach 11. Channel type changed from a block-step-pool to a boulder-step-pool and substrate changed from bedrock/boulder to boulder/cobble.