WATERSHED CODE: 100-385000-98600

WATERSHED GROUP: SAN JOSE

MELP Region: Williams Lake

Forest Region: Cariboo-Chilcotin Region

Forest district: Williams Lake Forest District

Survey Type: Office overview FHAP

Date of Report: December 28, 1997

Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Williams Lake, BC

COVER PAGE 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION 3

SECTION 2.0 STUDY AREA

2.1 LOCATION, GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND RESOURCE USE 3

2.2 FISHERY RESOURCE 5

SECTION 3.0 METHODOLOGY 5

SECTION 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION BY SUB-WATERSHED 6

4.1 SAN JOSE SUB-WATERSHED 6

4.2 BORLAND CREEK SUB-WATERSHED 14

4.3 JONES CREEK SUB-WATERSHED 22

4.4 KNIFE CREEK SUB-WATERSHED 27

4.5 FORBES AND PETE KITCHEN CREEKS SUB-WATERSHED 35

4.6 NEIL CREEK SUB-WATERSHED 39

4.7 111 MILE CREEK SUB-WATERSHED 42

4.8 WATSON/ROCK CREEKS SUB-WATERSHED 57

4.9 GOOSE AND HUSHAM CREEKS SUB-BASINS 63

SECTION 5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY 65

APPENDIX 1. FISH DISTRIBUTION SUMMARY FORM 68

APPENDIX 2. WATER LICENSE PERMITS FOR THE SAN JOSE

RIVER WATERSHED 75

SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION

The services of Cariboo Envirotech were contracted by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP) to conduct an overview fish habitat assessment of the San Jose River watershed. The objectives of the study were to describe an overview watershed-wide fish distribution, habitat characteristics and develop preliminary restoration initiatives or Level 1 field assessments.

The overview assessment provides baseline information of the current "health" of the fish resource in the study area. Within the mandate of Forest Renewal BC, Watershed Restoration Assessment initiatives will provide further information to describe the type and extent of stream related problems resulting from forest development activities and other land use.

These initiatives will provide much needed information required to develop sound, integrated resource management plans for the region. This project will provide an important portion of the data needed to develop management objectives. These include maintenance of genetic diversity of the fish populations, maintaining habitat diversity (quantity/quality to maximize productive capacity) for all life stages/strategies and avoid habitat alterations from resource developments that reduce the productivity and long term health of the fishery resource.

SECTION 2.0 STUDY AREA

2.1 LOCATION, GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND RESOURCE USE

The San Jose River watershed drains into Williams Lake. The watershed drainage area is estimated to be about 221,000 hectares located in an Interior Douglas Fir Biogeoclimatic Ecosection. The watershed has several major sub-basins presented in Table 1 with UTM coordinates for the mouth of the sub-basins, estimated length and watershed codes.

The drainage system consists of many small tributaries, of which many are ephemeral or diverted for irrigation purposes. The watershed contains many small artesian brooks and isolated waterbodies which are not connected to the San Jose drainage system.

Water withdrawal in the watershed is very high and a contentious issue with further demands for more licenses. The majority of the water withdrawal occurs from the San Jose River and its tributaries above Williams Lake (Northwest Hydraulics Consultants Ltd., 1994).

During drought years many of the tributaries and the San Jose River may be dry in some of the reaches. The agricultural water demand (Table 2) and loss of riparian vegetation is of serious concern throughout most of the watershed.

Table 1. Location and watershed codes of the major San Jose River sub-watersheds.

Table 2. Water license data for the San Jose River watershed.

Based on discharge measurements (HYDATT, Environment Canada) for the period of 1984 to 1993 of the San Jose River above Borland Creek, the average outflow is about 31,167,331 cubic meters/year. The net potential water withdrawal (total - storage) is 17,411,840 cubic meters. These numbers are only poor estimates of the impact of water withdrawal in the San Jose River watershed, but suggest that this is a very high potential impact, particularly during low summer and winter flows.

Forest development has occurred in the watershed since the mid-1950’s thus there is a significant amount of roadways and cutblocks throughout. The long term development in the study area creates a diverse range of reforestation recovery and thus a complex array of cumulative impacts within the watershed.

The watershed is typically of low gradient, flowing through a relatively gentle terrain. This characteristic supports a significant amount of cultivation (hay in particular) and range land development, concentrated along many of the San Jose River sub-basins. These activities have resulted in riparian degradation, water withdrawal concerns and sediment input to the watershed.

Lac La Hache and Timothy Lakes support significant recreational fisheries (>1000 angler days/year) and thus are of significant regional economic importance and value. The town of Lac La Hache is concentrated along the shores of the lake and may also contribute to impacts on the watershed.

The river corridors are designated as areas for potential sportfish enhancement opportunities and if expanded would contribute to the economic stability of the region. The watershed has significant recreational, tourism and forestry values and as well, it is an important mule deer range. This mix of natural resource uses has placed considerable strain on the aquatic and land base resources and thus there is a significant need to restore the watershed to its past productive capacity to foster regional needs and values.

SECTION 2.2 FISHERY RESOURCE

Anadromous species have not been sighted recently in the San Jose River watershed prior to 1997. Ken MacKenzie, wildlife biologist for Weldwood, 100 Mile House Operations noted about 30 sockeye in the mainstem below the Knife Creek confluence August 14, 1997. This is a dominant year for most Fraser River stocks and unusually high water year.

The extended and above average discharge of the Fraser River basin resulted in a velocity barrier at Hells Gate. The large early Stuart sockeye run was unable to pass Hells Gate during their normal migration window. This resulted in the stock assessing any available spawning habitat below the Stuart River watershed in an attempt to spawn (Neil Schubert, stock assessment biologist, New Westminster, pers. comm.).

The San Jose River watershed is considered an important trout bearing system. The watershed supports a wide diversity of fish species. These include important recreational species such as Rainbow, Lake Trout, Kokanee salmon and Lake Whitefish. Other abundant species include Long Nose Suckers, Red Sided Shiners, Burbot, Chub (general), Northern Squawfish and Peamouth Chub.

In general all of the main sub-watersheds support or have records of rainbow trout and other less "important" species. The distribution and relative abundance of the species is poorly defined as is the present quality and quantity of the habitat that they depend upon for their long term health and productivity.

SECTION 3.0 METHODOLOGY

All work was conducted in accordance with the requirements laid out in the Request for Proposal and appropriate guidebooks (Fish Habitat Assessment Procedures, April 1996.). All of the watershed was coded with the appropriate available watershed codes and reaches delineated and coded.

All available information regarding the watershed (primarily the FISS database and inventory databases (MELP)) was gathered and annotated on the base maps. This included fish distribution, barriers to fish passage, water license information and forest cover information.

1:15,000 scale aerial photographs for the watershed were appropriated and all of the reaches assessed for channel type, habitat and riparian condition. The small size of the watershed tributaries made aerial interpretation difficult for most reaches. It was impossible at this scale to determine widths of the reaches as the resolution at 1:15,000 scale is about plus or minus 5 meters. Personal observations of the watershed suggest that most reach widths fall below the 5 meter size.

The reaches where broken into sections where necessary due to significant changes in the riparian cover. These were annotated on the base map for digitization. All stream networks on the TRIM base maps were assessed and those which were ephemeral were given a numeric code and recorded in appropriate tables for future reference.

Reach length was determined with a map wheel and elevations determined from the TRIM maps by our GIS technician to estimate gradients. Channel type was assessed as best as possible from the aerial photographs and any disturbance indicators recorded in appropriate tables and annotated on the base maps. This included potential barriers to fish passage such as culverts, disused bridges, log jams, beaver dams, falls, etc..

Large woody debris distribution, riparian vegetation type and structural stage were also recorded. Canopy closure and potential off-channel fish habitat were also assessed. If possible, restoration initiatives were to be noted, but the available aerial photograph scale made this difficult.

Based on these observations each sub-watershed was summarized for habitat condition as laid out in the guidebook. A preliminary habitat assessment listing habitat value, upslope impact potential, major impacts and restoration opportunities or further needed assessments (Level 1 Field Assessment) was completed.

The San Jose River watershed is rather unique in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region in that a very large portion of the basin valleys are under agricultural use. The guidebook does not identify these impacts as they are not fundable under the FRBC umbrella.

To identify agricultural impacts from logging development we have added two codes to the disturbance columns. These are A for agriculture and R for residential developments that impact the streams.

SECTION 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION BY SUB-BASIN

SECTION 4.1 San Jose River sub-watershed

The San Jose River was assigned 16 reaches plus 130 Mile Lake (Table 3). It is a very low gradient drainage with only reach 7 at a 5% gradient. The overall gradients for the other reaches is about 1% or less.

Specific reach sites are expected to be of greater gradients than the overall measurements. In reach 3 falls or cascades were noted but we could not assess height or extent in the narrow valley, from the air photos. Impassable falls have been recorded in reach 9 near 141 Mile House. It is assumed that rainbow trout recruitment is from Willaims Lake below the falls and Lac La Hache above the falls.

Kokanee salmon have been recorded in reach 1 above Williams Lake thus assumed to be spawning below the Borland Creek confluence. Rainbow trout are also recorded in this reach but spawning locations are unknown. Rainbow trout are recorded along most of the channel to Lac La Hache.

Table 4 presents the preliminary habitat assessment for the mainstem. Based on channel type all reaches except 2,12, 13 and 14 have a high habitat value for rainbow trout. Reaches 2, 12 and 13 show signs of aggradation or perhaps significant water withdrawal, exposing the channel bed. These require field investigations to determine the cause and extent of impact.

In reach 14 analysis indicates bank erosion believed to be caused by cattle accessing the stream for watering. Only this reach suggests restoration efforts to reduce access to the river at this point by fencing the access and reestablishing suitable bank stability however it is not FRBC fundable in terms of impacts from forest development.

Field investigation of the falls or cascades noted in reach 3 should be inspected to determine potential barrier to fish passage. Ducks Unlimited have established nesting platforms and possibly a weir in reach 15 and 130 Mile Lake. These should be assessed, as well.

No direct impacts to the San Jose River sub-watershed from forest development where noted. The observed impairments appear to be attributable to present agricultural development which followed forest harvest. Agricultural and residential development is continuous along the San Jose River mainstem. When logging occurred, it was converted to agricultural use and the natural recovery process prevented.

Felker, Murphy and Dingwall Creeks are relatively minor tributaries to the San Jose River mainstem (Tables 5-10). Felker Creek is ephemeral and does not appear to have any fisheries values (1995 aerial photographs). It is unknown if agricultural impacts through water withdrawal are the cause or not. There is a collapsed culvert in reach 1 and trucks are driven through the channel. The upper reach is short, flowing through mature forest and appears to be of steep gradient.

Murphy Creek joins with Island and Parker Creeks which all appear ephemeral. The channels are indistinct in the air photos and appear to connect an extensive wetlands/ marsh complex. No restoration initiatives (Table 9) appear possible as there does not appear to be any fishery values in this sub-basin.

Dingwall Creek may provide suitable rearing and possibly spawning potential as it flows through wetland/marsh complexes and mature forest sections but no fish have been observed in the system (FISS, 1997). Most of the lakes are too shallow and suspected to be prone to winter kills suggesting the sub-watershed has little fisheries values.

Reach 1, section 1 was logged in 1960 to the creek edge and appears not to have recovered in the air photos (although rated recovered on the forest maps) thus may impact this section significantly and should be field assessed.

Section 2 appears to have potential fisheries value as channel was visible in the air photos. The section flows through a well stabilized riparian marsh area with no noted impacts. Section 3 is carried by two culverts thus may be barriers to fish passage and should be checked for fish presence and potential barriers. There was some evidence of sedimentation from upslope area to the south, requiring field checking.

Reach 2, section 1 is a lake/wetland complex and may provide juvenile rearing opportunities if fish are present. The stream becomes relatively small at this point. No impacts were noted (other than culvert) and the riparian component appears functional. Section 2 flows through mature forest, with some clumped LWD visible. Section 3 is a lake/wetland complex thus may provide juvenile rearing.

Reach 3 is of low gradient flowing through a lake/wetland complex. No impacts were noted and should be assessed for fish presence. The upper reach (4) is long, connecting a series of wetland complexes. Selective logging has occurred extensively in this section with a significant amount of roadways and associated culverts. If fish are present these should be assessed as potential barriers to passage. The lack of historical observations of fish presence suggests there may be a loss of connectivity with the San Jose River and should be assessed.

The upper lakes appear to be disconnected beyond reach 4. Most of these are prone to winter kill conditions. At present agricultural/range land use is present in the sub-watershed with some water extraction.

SECTION 4.2 Borland Creek sub-watershed

Borland Creek (Tables 11-16) is a relatively small tributary of the San Jose River flowing from the east and north. Rainbow trout have been observed up to the upper lake (local name Eagle Lake) which has a flow control structure at the outlet, which may limit utilization of the lake if impassable.

In general agricultural impacts appear to be significant with little forest development impacts. Reaches 1-4, 6 and 7 flow through mature forest stands with heavy canopy cover, making it impossible to assess fully. Reaches 5 and 8 flow through dense shrub riparian areas with only reach 8 visible. The reach appears to provide a riffle pool habitat thus may be similar for the other reaches as gradients are similar.

The first 4 reaches have no obvious upslope impacts, but reach 1 is carried by a culvert which may be a potential barrier to fish passage. Reaches 5-20 are impacted by agricultural development with a small amount of logging in the upper reaches.

Reach 6 has a dam, assumed for irrigation/storage and may be a barrier to fish passage. Reaches 7 and 8 have eroding banks due to cattle watering, which may heavily impact this small stream. There appears to be significant erosion at the culvert in reach 9 and requires field checking.

Reaches 10 and 11 flow through steep and narrow walled canyons, respectively, but the respective gradients are 3 and 8%, thus are not expected to be barriers to fish passage. The heavy mature forest cover makes it impossible to assess if there are any falls or cascades, therefore needs to be assessed on the ground.

Reaches 12 and 13 are carried by culverts/bridges (1 and 5 culverts, respectively) which may be potential barriers. The area has been recently logged to the creek edge thus may have a significant impact in the future but none noted now. The reaches should be field checked inconjunction with riparian investigations. There is agricultural development along these reaches below the logging and presumably this will extend into the logged area as it has in most other areas of the watershed.

Section 1 of reach 14 flows through heavy mature forest stands and no impacts were noted. The riparian/banks of section 2 have been impacted from agricultural development and need to be assessed further if fish are present.

Reach 15 has been dammed (2 noted), presumably for irrigation purposes and these may be barriers to fish passage. The headwater reaches are very narrow and have been dammed and diverted into irrigation ditches. These upper reaches should be assessed for fish presence and land use impacts.

Five Mile Creek is a small tributary to Borland Creek draining from the north. The air photos suggest that the stream has very low flows and may dewatered. The connectivity between the upper lakes (Goldpan, Dugan, Dewar, etc.) has been lost if it existed in the past. These lakes are stocked with Brook and rainbow trout.

Section 1 of reach 1 flows through heavy mature forest cover and could not be assessed. Section 2 is carried by a culvert which may be a potential barrier but the stream is too small to assess adequately from the air photos. At the top of reach 2 the lake is dammed for irrigation purposes and the stream appears to have subsurface flows as pools are noted in the reach.

If fish are present water release is required to provide suitable rearing conditions. Reach 3 flows through shrub vegetation with some fir and aspen. A small recent cutblock and associated culvert in the roadway do not appear to impact the reach but the culvert should be assessed if fish are present.

Valley Creek is a slightly larger tributary to Borland Creek which supports rainbow trout in the mainstem and tributaries. It has been heavily dammed for irrigation purposes and this appears to have created sub-surface flows.

Reaches 3 and 4 have been diverted into irrigation ditches and reach 4 has lost its riparian cover. There is some recent logging to the stream channel in reach 5 and cattle grazing. This creek appears to have lost its ability to support fish species from air photo interpretation but juveniles were observed in 1996 (FISS, 1997).

Wise Creek was assessed as the channel course is visible amongst the mature forest stand but appears ephemeral. It does not appear to have any fishery values as the channel shows no signs of carrying even sub-surface flows. An on the ground check should be made to confirm these observations.