A local conservation group in Prince George, B.C., has successfully reconnected a small side channel of the Nechako River at Cottonwood Island Park, preventing fish from being stranded and dying in isolated pools during low water periods. The 1.4-km-long side channel serves as a crucial refuge and spawning habitat for various fish species within the park.
Previously, the side channel would dry up when water levels receded, leaving fish vulnerable to predators or stranded in sediments with depleting oxygen levels, risking their survival. Jesi Lauzon, the operations co-ordinator for Spruce City Wildlife Association, highlighted the dire situation, mentioning that the water could even freeze solid in winter.
In December, the group utilized an excavator to permanently reconnect the channel to the Nechako River, aiming to prevent further mortality and destruction in the area. Lauzon, who spearheaded the restoration project for over five years, recalled how her basset hound’s misadventure in the drained channel inspired her to initiate the project during a walk at the park.
As a former fisheries biology student at the University of Northern B.C., Lauzon proposed the habitat restoration project to address the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. With the support of the local non-profit Spruce City Wildlife Association, Lauzon’s academic project turned into a tangible reality after two years of channel monitoring to gather essential data.
Volunteers dedicated efforts to relocate salmon from the channel to safer areas during the restoration process. Lauzon expressed anticipation about observing changes in the channel’s biodiversity and the influx of fish and wildlife now that it is reconnected to the Nechako River.
Lauding the collaborative community effort, Lauzon acknowledged the contributions of various organizations, including the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s fisheries team, in planting willow trees along the channel to enhance bank stability and create additional wildlife habitats. The project’s success was attributed to the collective support and dedication of numerous individuals and businesses who volunteered their time and resources.
The completion of the restoration project marks a significant milestone in conserving the aquatic ecosystem at Cottonwood Island Park and ensuring the continued well-being of the fish species that rely on the side channel for refuge and spawning grounds.
