Robert Hatch Creek - 197912 - Appendix

Site Location

PSCIS crossing 197912 is located on Robert Hatch Creek near Topley, BC. PSCIS crossing 197912 is located on a small private road and the Hatch Creek Ranch. Crossing 197912 was located 2.6km upstream from the confluence with Richfield Creek. Crossing 198043 is the responsibility of the range tenure holder (Hatch Creek Ranch Ltd. - forest file id RAN074136 and Groot Bros. Contracting Ltd. - forest file id RANM01180) where the road is located.


Background

At crossing 197912, Robert Hatch Creek is a fourth order stream with a watershed area upstream of the crossing of approximately 31.5km2. The elevation of the watershed ranges from a maximum of 1070m to 715m near the crossing (Table 5.36). No fish have previously been recorded at the site (MoE 2020b; Norris 2020).


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 5.36: Summary of derived upstream watershed statistics for PSCIS crossing 197912.
Site Area Km Elev Site Elev Min Elev Max Elev Median Elev P60 Aspect
197912 31.5 720 715 1070 1004 983 S
* Elev P60 = Elevation at which 60% of the watershed area is above

Extensive background on Richfield Creek is presented in Irvine (2021) with fish sampling and orthoimagery available within the “Richfield Creek - 197662 - Appendix” within this document.


PSCIS stream crossing 198043 was ranked as a high priority for follow up by Canadian Wildlife Federation because of the relatively large size of the stream and habitat rated as high value in PSCIS (Table 5.37. A map of the watershed is provided in map attachment 093L.115.


fpr::fpr_table_bcfp(scroll = gitbook_on)
Table 5.37: Summary of fish habitat modelling for PSCIS crossing 197912.
Habitat Potential Remediation Gain Remediation Gain (%)
ST Network (km) 63.7 55.6 87
ST Lake Reservoir (ha) 2.5 2.4 96
ST Wetland (ha) 198.5 198.5 100
ST Slopeclass03 Waterbodies (km) 8.7 0.0 0
ST Slopeclass03 (km) 26.8 26.8 100
ST Slopeclass05 (km) 18.8 15.1 80
ST Slopeclass08 (km) 7.0 3.1 44
ST Spawning (km) 6.7 6.7 100
ST Rearing (km) 9.3 9.3 100
CH Spawning (km) 6.7 6.7 100
CH Rearing (km) 7.8 7.8 100
CO Spawning (km) 11.3 11.3 100
CO Rearing (km) 27.7 27.7 100
CO Rearing (ha) 104.4 104.4 100
SK Spawning (km) 0.0 0.0 –
SK Rearing (km) 0.0 0.0 –
SK Rearing (ha) – 0.0 –
All Spawning (km) 11.3 11.3 100
All Rearing (km) 28.2 28.2 100
All Spawning Rearing (km) 28.2 28.2 100
* Model data is preliminary and subject to adjustments.


Stream Characteristics at Crossing

At the time of the survey, PSCIS crossing 197912 was comprised of a collapsing bridge (Table 5.38). The structure may have been presenting an impediment to upstream fish passage for adult fish and the bridge debris in the channel was resulting in erosion of the banks adjacent to the historic structure. Water temperature was 12\(^\circ\)C, pH was 8 and conductivity was 283uS/cm. Surveys were conducted with a remotely piloted aircraft immediately upstream and downstream of the crossing with resulting images stitched into an orthomosaic and 3-dimensional model presented in Figures 5.53 - 5.54.


fpr::fpr_table_cv_summary_memo()
Table 5.38: Summary of fish passage assessment for PSCIS crossing 197912.
Location and Stream Data
Crossing Characteristics –
Date 2021-08-31 Crossing Sub Type Bridge
PSCIS ID 197912 Diameter (m) 12
External ID – Length (m) 7
Crew AI Embedded –
UTM Zone 9 Depth Embedded (m) –
Easting 670963 Resemble Channel –
Northing 6046221 Backwatered –
Stream Robert Hatch Creek Percent Backwatered –
Road Private Fill Depth (m) –
Road Tenure Unclassified Outlet Drop (m) –
Channel Width (m) – Outlet Pool Depth (m) –
Stream Slope (%) – Inlet Drop –
Beaver Activity – Slope (%) –
Habitat Value – Valley Fill –
Final score 0 Barrier Result Passable
Fix type – Fix Span / Diameter –
Photos: From top left clockwise: Road/Site Card, Barrel, Outlet, Downstream, Upstream, Inlet.
Comments: Bridge has collapsed and is impediment to upstream fish passage. Habitat confirmation conducted. 16:56 


model_url <- '<iframe src="https://www.mapsmadeeasy.com/maps/public/aebd400d8dbe455eb3806b1ca8a4c496" 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 Robert Hatch Creek.')

knitr::include_graphics(my_photo, dpi = NA)
Orthomosaic of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Robert Hatch Creek.

Figure 5.53: Orthomosaic of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Robert Hatch Creek. 


model_url <- '<iframe src="https://www.mapsmadeeasy.com/maps/public_3D/aebd400d8dbe455eb3806b1ca8a4c496" 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 Robert Hatch Creek. To zoom press "shift" and scroll.')

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

Figure 5.54: 3D model of habitat immediately upstream and downstream of Robert Hatch Creek. To zoom press “shift” and scroll. 

##this is useful to get some comments for the report
hab_site %>% filter(site == my_site & location == 'ds') %>% pull(comments)
my_priority <-  my_priority_info()

Stream Characteristics Downstream

The stream was surveyed downstream from the culvert for 300m (Figures 5.57 - 5.58). Total cover amount was rated as with deep pools dominant. Cover was also present as small woody debris, large woody debris, undercut banks, and overhanging vegetation (Table 5.39). The average channel width was 4.7m, the average wetted width was 3.2m and the average gradient was 1.2%. The dominant substrate was gravels with fines subdominant. The habitat was rated as medium value for salmonid rearing and spawning.


Stream Characteristics Upstream of 197912

The stream was surveyed immediately upstream from 197912 for approximately 340m to the location of a large beaver dam (Figures 5.59 - 5.60). Within the area surveyed, total cover amount was rated as with deep pools dominant. Cover was also present as small woody debris, large woody debris, undercut banks, overhanging vegetation, and instream vegetation (Table 5.39). The average channel width was 4.3m, the average wetted width was 2.5m and the average gradient was 1.5%. The dominant substrate was gravels with fines subdominant. Habitat value was rated as high value for resident salmonid rearing and spawning.

Fish Sampling

Electrofishing was conducted downstream of the collapsed bridge with results summarised in Tables 5.40 - 5.41 and Figure 5.56.

Structure Remediation and Cost Estimate

Should restoration/maintenance activities proceed at the site, removal of PSCIS crossing 197912 is recommended. In addition to removal of the collapsed bridge, resloping of banks and the installation of live cuttings/pegboarding is recommended in three areas downstream where cattle trampling is resulting in significant erosion. A map of the erosion areas and associated prescriptions for rehabilitation of the downstream corners is provided as Figure 5.55. The cost of the work is estimated at $30,000 for a cost benefit of 924 linear m/$1000 and 3973.2 m2/$1000.


knitr::include_graphics("fig/robert_hatch_plan_20211023_k_.JPG")
Restoration plan for Robert Hatch Creek including removal of collapsed bridge, resloping of banks and the installation of live cuttings/pegboarding

Figure 5.55: Restoration plan for Robert Hatch Creek including removal of collapsed bridge, resloping of banks and the installation of live cuttings/pegboarding


Conclusion

There was 197912 is 27.7km of habitat modelled upstream of crossing with areas surveyed rated as high value for salmonid rearing and spawning. Crossing 197912 was ranked as a moderate priority for proceeding to design for removal. As Robert Hatch Creek appears to be a high value fish stream with significant impacts due to adjacent land use (cattle trampled banks and grazed/removed riparian vegetation), it is recommended that a plan be developed to work with adjacent landowners and tenure holders to exclude cattle from the riparian area, implement stream restoration actions and explore possibilities related to progressive beaver management in the watershed.



tab_hab_summary %>% 
  filter(Site  == my_site) %>% 
  # select(-Site) %>% 
  fpr::fpr_kable(caption_text = paste0('Summary of habitat details for PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.'),
                 scroll = F)
Table 5.39: Summary of habitat details for PSCIS crossing 197912.
Site Location Length Surveyed (m) Channel Width (m) Wetted Width (m) Pool Depth (m) Gradient (%) Total Cover Habitat Value
197912 Downstream 300 4.7 3.2 0.5 1.2 – medium
197912 Upstream 340 4.3 2.5 0.6 1.5 abundant high 


fpr_table_fish_site()
Table 5.40: Fish sampling site summary for 197912.
site passes ef_length_m ef_width_m area_m2 enclosure
197912_ds_ef1 3 8.6 4.80 41.3 Closed
197912_ds_ef2 1 28.0 1.96 54.9 Open
197912_ds_ef3 1 14.0 2.87 40.2 Open 


fpr_table_fish_density()
Table 5.41: Fish sampling density results summary for 197912.
local_name species_code life_stage catch density_100m2 nfc_pass
197912_ds_ef1 NFC – 0 0.0 TRUE
197912_ds_ef1 RB adult 1 2.4 TRUE
197912_ds_ef2 RB fry 1 1.8 FALSE
197912_ds_ef3 RB fry 1 2.5 FALSE
197912_ds_ef3 RB adult 1 2.5 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 downstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')

fpr_plot_fish_box()
Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured downstream of PSCIS crossing 197912.

Figure 5.56: Densites of fish (fish/100m2) captured downstream of PSCIS crossing 197912. 


my_photo1 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = '_d1_')

my_caption1 = paste0('Typical 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))
Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197912.

Figure 5.57: Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197912. 


my_photo2 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = '_d2_')

my_caption2 = paste0('Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')
grid::grid.raster(jpeg::readJPEG(my_photo2))
Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197912.

Figure 5.58: Typical habitat downstream of PSCIS crossing 197912. 


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 = '_u1_')

my_caption1 = paste0('Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')
grid::grid.raster(jpeg::readJPEG(my_photo1))
Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197912.

Figure 5.59: Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197912. 


my_photo2 = fpr::fpr_photo_pull_by_str(str_to_pull = '_u2_')

my_caption2 = paste0('Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing ', my_site, '.')
grid::grid.raster(jpeg::readJPEG(my_photo2))
Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197912.

Figure 5.60: Typical habitat upstream of PSCIS crossing 197912. 

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)
knitr::opts_chunk$set(echo=FALSE, message=FALSE, warning=FALSE)
source('scripts/packages.R')
source('scripts/tables.R')
my_site <- 197960
my_site2 <- 123775