Richfield Creek - 197662 - Appendix

Site Location

PSCIS crossing 197662 is located on Richfield Creek approximately 30km east of Houston, BC with the highway located approximately 1.2km upstream upstream from the confluence with the Bulkley River. Highway 16 is the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Background

At crossing 197662, Richfield Creek is a fifth order stream with a watershed area upstream of the crossing of approximately 161.3km2. The elevation of the watershed ranges from a maximum of 1753m to 650m near the crossing (Table 5.27). Upstream of crossing 197662, longnose sucker, lake chub, longnose dace, coho salmon, rainbow trout, steelhead, and chinook salmon have previously been recorded upstream (MoE 2020b; Norris 2020). Habitat modelling outputs are presented in Table 5.28. A map of the watershed is provided in map attachment 093L.115.


fpr::fpr_table_wshd_sum(site_id = my_site) %>% 
  fpr::fpr_kable(caption_text = paste0('Summary of derived upstream watershed statistics for PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.'),
           footnote_text = 'Elev P60 = Elevation at which 60% of the watershed area is above',
           scroll = F)
Table 5.27: Summary of derived upstream watershed statistics for PSCIS crossing 197662.
Site Area Km Elev Site Elev Min Elev Max Elev Median Elev P60 Aspect
197662 161.3 676 650 1753 1096 1039 SSW
* Elev P60 = Elevation at which 60% of the watershed area is above


A habitat confirmation assessment was conducted by Irvine (2021) in 2020 and the reader is directed there for detailed background, habitat assessment and fish sampling information from 2020 surveys. Acquisition of high resolution aerial imagery and fish sampling was conducted at the site in 2021 to provide context for crossing prioritization. Additionally, Society for Ecosystem Restoration BC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Morice Watershed Monitoring Trust were able to collaborate in 2021 to provide funding for the installation of barbed wire fenceing adjacent to a buffer on the west bank of Richfield Creek below the highway as a restorative action to exclude cattle from the riparian area. Details of these three activities are provided below.


fpr::fpr_table_bcfp(scroll = gitbook_on)
Table 5.28: Summary of fish habitat modelling for PSCIS crossing 197662.
Habitat Potential Remediation Gain Remediation Gain (%)
ST Network (km) 70.8 50.9 72
ST Lake Reservoir (ha) 2.5 2.0 80
ST Wetland (ha) 198.5 65.8 33
ST Slopeclass03 Waterbodies (km) 8.7 0.0 0
ST Slopeclass03 (km) 31.9 23.8 75
ST Slopeclass05 (km) 20.6 16.4 80
ST Slopeclass08 (km) 7.2 3.3 46
ST Spawning (km) 11.8 11.8 100
ST Rearing (km) 14.4 14.4 100
CH Spawning (km) 11.8 11.8 100
CH Rearing (km) 12.8 12.8 100
CO Spawning (km) 16.4 16.4 100
CO Rearing (km) 32.8 26.0 79
CO Rearing (ha) 104.4 0.0 0
SK Spawning (km) 0.0 0.0 –
SK Rearing (km) 0.0 0.0 –
SK Rearing (ha) – 0.0 –
All Spawning (km) 16.4 16.4 100
All Rearing (km) 33.2 26.5 80
All Spawning Rearing (km) 33.2 26.5 80
* Model data is preliminary and subject to adjustments.


Stream Characteristics at Crossing

Although, culvert measurement data was recycled from 2020, crossing photos were retaken (Table 5.29).


fpr::fpr_table_cv_summary_memo()
Table 5.29: Summary of fish passage assessment for PSCIS crossing 197662.
Location and Stream Data
Crossing Characteristics –
Date 2021-09-10 Crossing Sub Type Round Culvert
PSCIS ID 197662 Diameter (m) 4.2
External ID – Length (m) 24
Crew AI Embedded No
UTM Zone 9 Depth Embedded (m) –
Easting 672404.7 Resemble Channel No
Northing 6044146 Backwatered No
Stream Richfield Creek Percent Backwatered –
Road Highway 16 Fill Depth (m) 1
Road Tenure MoTi highway Outlet Drop (m) 0.2
Channel Width (m) 12.5 Outlet Pool Depth (m) 1
Stream Slope (%) 1.5 Inlet Drop No
Beaver Activity No Slope (%) 2
Habitat Value High Valley Fill Deep Fill
Final score 29 Barrier Result Barrier
Fix type Replace with New Open Bottom Structure Fix Span / Diameter 16.5
Photos: From top left clockwise: Road/Site Card, Barrel, Outlet, Downstream, Upstream, Inlet.
Comments: Culvert and habitat measurements taken in 2020. Multipass closed site electorfishing conducted in 2021 upstream and downstream of highway. 17:25


5.1 Aerial Imagery

Surveys were conducted with a remotely piloted aircraft upstream of the crossing with resulting images stitched into an orthomosaic and 3-dimensional model presented in Figures 5.42 - 5.43.

model_url <- '<iframe src="https://www.mapsmadeeasy.com/maps/public/fe773f4deef84939b04f5e941e35506a" scrolling="no" title="Maps Made Easy" width="100%" height="600" frameBorder ="0"></iframe>'

knitr::asis_output(model_url)
my_photo = 'fig/pixel.png'

my_caption = paste0('Orthomosaic of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Richfield Creek. To zoom press "shift" and scroll.')

knitr::include_graphics(my_photo, dpi = NA)
Orthomosaic of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Richfield Creek. To zoom press "shift" and scroll.

Figure 5.42: Orthomosaic of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Richfield Creek. To zoom press “shift” and scroll. 

model_url <- '<iframe src="https://www.mapsmadeeasy.com/maps/public_3D/fe773f4deef84939b04f5e941e35506a" scrolling="no" title="Maps Made Easy" width="100%" height="600" frameBorder ="0"></iframe>'

knitr::asis_output(model_url)
my_photo = 'fig/pixel.png'

my_caption = paste0('3D model of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Richfield Creek. To zoom press "shift" and scroll.')

knitr::include_graphics(my_photo, dpi = NA)
3D model of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Richfield Creek. To zoom press "shift" and scroll.

Figure 5.43: 3D model of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Richfield Creek. To zoom press “shift” and scroll.

5.2 Fish Sampling

Multipass electrofishing was conducted at three sites upstream of the highway and three sites downstream. Water temperature was 10\(^\circ\)C, pH was 8.1 and conductivity was 234uS/cm. results are summarised in Tables 5.30 - 5.31 and Figure 5.44. Photos are provided in (Figures 5.45 - 5.48).


fpr_table_fish_site()
Table 5.30: Fish sampling site summary for 197662.
site passes ef_length_m ef_width_m area_m2 enclosure
197662_ds_ef1 6 21.4 6.10 130.5 Closed
197662_ds_ef2 4 5.8 5.60 32.5 Closed
197662_ds_ef3 3 4.2 6.05 25.4 Closed
197662_us_ef1 4 6.4 7.00 44.8 Closed
197662_us_ef2 3 5.1 4.83 24.6 Closed
197662_us_ef3 3 5.6 2.73 15.3 Closed 


fpr_table_fish_density()
Table 5.31: Fish sampling density results summary for 197662.
local_name species_code life_stage catch density_100m2 nfc_pass
197662_ds_ef1 CO fry 12 9.2 TRUE
197662_ds_ef1 CO parr 65 49.8 FALSE
197662_ds_ef1 L – 3 2.3 FALSE
197662_ds_ef1 LSU – 1 0.8 TRUE
197662_ds_ef1 MW parr 6 4.6 TRUE
197662_ds_ef1 RB fry 29 22.2 FALSE
197662_ds_ef1 RB parr 42 32.2 FALSE
197662_ds_ef1 RB juvenile 9 6.9 TRUE
197662_ds_ef1 RB adult 4 3.1 TRUE
197662_ds_ef1 SU – 14 10.7 FALSE
197662_ds_ef2 CO fry 17 52.3 FALSE
197662_ds_ef2 CO parr 5 15.4 TRUE
197662_ds_ef2 L – 6 18.5 FALSE
197662_ds_ef2 RB fry 11 33.8 FALSE
197662_ds_ef2 RB parr 7 21.5 TRUE
197662_ds_ef2 RB adult 2 6.2 TRUE
197662_ds_ef2 SU – 3 9.2 TRUE
197662_ds_ef3 CO fry 2 7.9 TRUE
197662_ds_ef3 CO parr 3 11.8 FALSE
197662_ds_ef3 L – 1 3.9 TRUE
197662_ds_ef3 RB fry 7 27.6 FALSE
197662_ds_ef3 RB parr 7 27.6 TRUE
197662_ds_ef3 SU – 3 11.8 TRUE
197662_us_ef1 CO fry 6 13.4 FALSE
197662_us_ef1 CO parr 2 4.5 TRUE
197662_us_ef1 L – 3 6.7 TRUE
197662_us_ef1 RB fry 43 96.0 FALSE
197662_us_ef1 RB parr 16 35.7 TRUE
197662_us_ef1 RB juvenile 4 8.9 TRUE
197662_us_ef1 RB adult 1 2.2 FALSE
197662_us_ef2 CO fry 5 20.3 TRUE
197662_us_ef2 CO parr 5 20.3 FALSE
197662_us_ef2 L – 1 4.1 FALSE
197662_us_ef2 RB fry 38 154.5 FALSE
197662_us_ef2 RB parr 22 89.4 FALSE
197662_us_ef2 RB juvenile 2 8.1 TRUE
197662_us_ef3 CO fry 5 32.7 FALSE
197662_us_ef3 CO parr 1 6.5 TRUE
197662_us_ef3 L – 5 32.7 FALSE
197662_us_ef3 RB fry 18 117.6 TRUE
197662_us_ef3 RB parr 4 26.1 FALSE
* nfc_pass FALSE means fish were captured in final pass indicating more fish of this species/lifestage may have remained in site.
Mark-recaptured required to reduce uncertainties. 


my_caption <- paste0('Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')

fpr_plot_fish_box()
Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing 197662.

Figure 5.44: Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured upstream and downstream of PSCIS crossing 197662. 


my_photo1 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = 'ds_ef1_')

my_caption1 = paste0('Habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')


# fpr::fpr_photo_flip(site_id = 1802488, str_to_pull = '6257')
grid::grid.raster(jpeg::readJPEG(my_photo1))
Habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197662.

Figure 5.45: Habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197662. 


my_photo2 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = '_f1_')

my_caption2 = paste0('Lamprey captured downstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')
grid::grid.raster(jpeg::readJPEG(my_photo2))
Lamprey captured downstream of PSCIS crossing 197662.

Figure 5.46: Lamprey captured downstream of PSCIS crossing 197662. 


my_caption <- paste0('Left: ', my_caption1, ' Right: ', my_caption2)

knitr::include_graphics(my_photo1)
knitr::include_graphics("fig/pixel.png")
knitr::include_graphics(my_photo2)
my_photo1 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = '_ef2_')

my_caption1 = paste0('Habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')
grid::grid.raster(jpeg::readJPEG(my_photo1))
Habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197662.

Figure 5.47: Habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197662. 


my_photo2 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = '_ef3_')

my_caption2 = paste0('Habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')
grid::grid.raster(jpeg::readJPEG(my_photo2))
Habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197662.

Figure 5.48: Habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197662. 

my_caption <- paste0('Left: ', my_caption1, ' Right: ', my_caption2)

knitr::include_graphics(my_photo1)
knitr::include_graphics("fig/pixel.png")
knitr::include_graphics(my_photo2)

5.3 Riparian Fenceing

Approximately 1100 m of new four strand barbed wire fencing was installed to the west of Richfield Creek between November 26 and December 14, 2021. Fencing of the area complemented significant restoration work completed in by the Morice Watershed Monitoring Trust project which included bank stabilization, installation of vertical posts for bank stability, live stakeing of willow/cottonwood and planting of rooted willow plugs. Details of the work conducted is documented in Wrench (2022) and included as Attachment 4.


Conclusion

There was 197662 is 32.8km of habitat modelled upstream of the crossing with areas surveyed in 2020 rated as high value for salmonid rearing and spawning (Irvine 2021). There is extensive background information on this system summarized in Irvine (2021) and in development at the time of reporting. Crossing 197662 was ranked as a high priority for proceeding to design for replacement. As Richfield Creek is a high value fish stream with cold water inputs and significant historic and ongoing impacts due to adjacent land use (linear development, residential development, cattle trampled banks and grazed/removed riparian vegetation) it is recommended that individuals, organizations and regulators continue to work with adjacent landowners and tenure holders to implement stream restoration actions, exclude cattle from the riparian area, and explore possibilities related to progressive beaver management in the watershed.

knitr::opts_chunk$set(echo=FALSE, message=FALSE, warning=FALSE)
source('scripts/packages.R')
source('scripts/tables.R')
my_site <- 197909
# my_site2 <- 123377