Introduction
Large lakes like Arrow and Kootenay can support several million
Kokanee. Kokanee are an important food source for the famous Gerrard
Rainbow Trout, Bull Trout, as well as being a popular sport fish.
As a result of hydro development, logging, subdivisions, and stream
channelization, Kokanee spawning habitat has been drastically
reduced. By constructing spawning channels; fisheries managers
can control water flows, construct proper slopes, place suitable
sized gravels and duplicate ideal Kokanee spawning habitat which
produce up to five times more fry than a natural stream.
Hill Creek Spawning Channel
History
Hill Creek Spawning Channel is a facility built and operated
as partial compensation for fish losses resulting from the construction
of the Revelstoke Dam. The channel was completed in 1980.
Location
48 km north of Nakusp on Highway 23, east for 8 km on Highway
31 towards Trout Lake, left on Hill Creek Road. Follow the signs
at the junction of Highways 23 and 31.
Species
Kokanee
Kokanee Creek Spawning Channel
History
The Kokanee Creek Spawning Channel is a facility build and operated
for fish losses resulting from the destruction of spawning habitat
in Kokanee Creek itself. At one time up to 20,000 fish returned
to spawn in Kokanee Creek. It was built in 1985 with funds from
the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund. It is 0.33 km long and 3
m wide. The channel was built to accommodate up to 7,000 spawning
fish and produces between 0.25 - 1.20 million fry with a mean
egg-to-fry survival rate of 30%. An extensive interpretation program
during August and September includes films, slide shows, and channel
walks.
Location
Within the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, 15 km east of Nelson
on Highway 3A.
Species
Kokanee
Timing of Events
August and September - adults spawning
April to June - fry emergence
Redfish Creek Spawning Channel
History
The Redfish Creek Spawning Channel is a facility build and operated
for fish losses resulting from the destruction of spawning habitat
in Redfish Creek itself due to human activity. At one time up
to 9,000 fish returned to spawn in Redfish Creek. The spawning
channel was built on a parcel of property adjacent to Redfish
Creek which was donated from the National Second Century Fund.
It was built in 1982 with funds from the Habitat Conservation
Trust Fund. It is 0.6 km long and 1.3 m wide. The channel was
built to accommodate up to 5000 spawning fish and produces between
0.25 - 1.2 million fry with a mean egg-to-fry survival rate of
35.5 %. No interpretive center is available at Redfish Creek but
an interpretive display is located there.
Location
Adjacent to Highway 3A, 25 km east of Nelson.
Species
Kokanee
Timing of Events
August and September - adults spawning
April to June - fry emergence
Meadow Creek Spawning Channel
History
In 1965,B.C. Hydro began work on a dam which would impound the
waters of the Duncan River approximately ten kilometers above
Kootenay Lake. The Duncan Dam provides additional water storage
for downstream power dams, and protects the settlements around
the lake from spring flooding, but it also destroyed kilometers
of spawning habitat in the Duncan River. Kokanee, Bull Trout,
and Rainbow Trout habitat was lost. While construction of the
dam continued, fisheries biologists were planning on how to best
save the fish in Kootenay Lake. Kokanee were the main concern
as the large Gerrard Rainbow Trout and Bull Trout feed on Kokanee.
The Fisheries Branch chose to build a spawning channel for Kokanee
partly compensating for these fish losses. The Meadow Creek Spawning
channel was constructed in 1967 with B.C. Hydro funds and was the
world's largest at the time. Its length was 3.3 km and the average
width was 12 m supporting a total of 250,000 spawning Kokanee.
It produces between 10 - 15 million fry annually with mean egg-to-fry
survival rate of 45%. There are fisheries staff on site during
the spawning season which is August through October.
Location
Located at the north end of Kootenay Lake North of Highway 31
on the Meadow Creek road, 4km.
Species
Kokanee
Timing of Events
August through October - adults spawning
April to June - fry emergence
Bridge Creek Spawning Channel
History
Bridge Creek historically supported a small run of Kokanee.
Interest and cooperation by the local Rod and Gun Club, Rotary
Club, Chamber of Commerce and the City of Revelstoke was developed.
As a result the spawning channel was constructed to produce more
catchable fish for a localized fishery on the Upper Arrow reservoir
and as an interpretive and education facility. It was built in
1988 with funds from the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund. It is
0.6 km long and 2 m wide. The channel produces between 0.15 -
0.06 million fry with a mean egg to fry survival rate of 26%.
An interpretative display can be found there.
Location
Within the City of Revelstoke, tributary to the Illecillewaet
River.
Species
Kokanee
Timing of Events
August and September - adults spawning
April to June - fry emergence
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