Salmon Steward is the official publication of the Pacific Salmon Foundation in British Columbia, Canada
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1182504
after the Second World War, when river flow and water temperatures were much different than they are now. Recent studies have also detected other locations where no fishways have been built to help salmon overcome passage obstructions. In these locations, salmon migration is being delayed by a variety of obstacles, affecting thousands or possibly even millions of salmon. CONCEPT #2: DEVELOP A WILDFIRE "PLAYBOOK" FOR SALMON RECOVERY What: Current models that are used for traditional forest management don't include salmon survival as a consideration in land recovery. Strategies and techniques are needed to stabilize the land and accelerate recovery of features that are important for watershed stability. Why: The record-breaking wildfires of 2018 had a far greater impact on B.C. salmon than most people realize. Unlike even a decade ago, the wildfires that occur today are bigger and hotter than ever, with more flare-ups occurring annually throughout British Columbia. The scorched earth left behind is less absorbant than unburnt land and when the summer rainstorms eventually come, the run-off is rapid, washing out gullies and depositing large volumes of sediment in salmon streams. These sediment deposits smother spawning gravel and fill in pools that once provided important habitat for growing salmon. CONCEPT #3: EXPLORING NEW HATCHERY NEEDS IN THE MID-UPPER FRASER What: This third project would see PSF assess feasibility, benefits and potential scale for developing hatchery enhancement in this vital area to support the long-term success of salmon. Why: In the middle and upper Fraser River, many salmon stocks and Steelhead are in decline. While there is large hatchery capacity in many other parts of B.C. to support salmon, there are no such hatcheries in the mid-upper Fraser River system. Developing hatchery capacity in that area can support conservation and recovery, particularly if it's done in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, local community organizations and universities. TAKING THE TEMPERATURE This summer, the Pacific Salmon Foundation supported student Kate O'Neill for a climate change study through a grant underwritten by Mosaic. O'Neill worked with the Tsolum River Restoration Society to research methods for monitoring water temperature changes and influences of cooler groundwater in the Tsolum River. "Stream temperatures have been monitored in multiple locations in the Tsolum over many years, and we know that they have exceeded safe temperatures for salmon during the summer," says O'Neill, a master's student from BCIT and SFU. "Groundwater tends to be cooler, so when it enters streams salmon can seek refuge in these colder pockets during the warm summer months." Adds O'Neill: "Understanding where there is groundwater input and protecting these areas is crucial for restoration of the river. This is one step to help with wild salmon's long-term survival in the face of our changing climate." This study was timely, given summer drought conditions in the Comox Valley and the vulnerability of juvenile salmon to low water levels in the Tsolum River. The results of the study will inform management decisions and will be added to other data O'Neill is collecting for a temperature-monitoring program that can be applied to other salmon- bearing streams in B.C. "Whether it is an introduction in the classroom or advanced post-graduate work, we're proud to support active research and education initiatives that will enhance salmon habitat in the salmon Steward magazine 11 ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN CLIMATE ACTION Our Community Salmon Program provides grants to about 300 volunteer streamkeeping groups in communities across the province and in the Yukon – many focused on helping salmon survive new pressures from climate change. Here are some highlights: A PSF grant underwritten by Mosaic supported Kate O'Neill's climate change study in the Tsolum River. Action Plan for B.C. Salmon