• 4000 smolts / 520 adults (based on Tredger 1986/Ptolemy 2002 (low end - combined runs)
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is 156 adults

Existing Habitat:
watershed area (km2):	370.5		Comments
mean annual discharge (m3/s):	18.1		Habitat above Bonanza Lake supports summer runs. Long history of logging in Kokish and Bonanza watersheds. Significant fish habitat impacts especially log storage in Beaver Cove estuary and abandoned booming site at outlet of Bonanza Lake. Concern over coho stocking into Bonanza R. between Bonanza and Ida Lakes relative to inter-specific fry competition with steelhead. Ideal summer flows, lake-headed. High quality parr habitat in boulder-cascades from Ida Lake downstream to tidewater. Good parr densities observed in snorkel surveys of 1995 and 1998 in canyon reach. Baseflow alkalinity moderate at 25 mg/L and predicted capacity per steelhead size class is 182 g/Unit
Summer Base Flow (%mad):	16.3
accessible length (km):	18.5
productivity:	Moderate

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• Spawning gravel placement at outlet of Ida Lake (HCTF projects 1991/94).
• Failed attempt at creating an open channel through Bonanza Lake outlet log jam in 2000.
• Inorganic enrichment began by helicopter application in 2001 downstream of Ida Lake.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Maintain healthy wild stocks and a fishing opportunity over 5-km fishable length (with a low level of augmentation of winter runs by the community hatchery).
• Review management strategy and update the previous assessments to identify steelhead production and constraints - a better estimate of current summer and winter steelhead run sizes and habitat capacities is required.
• Upgrade local enforcement capability to deal with chronic poaching concerns - Summer Run stock in particular is vulnerable to poaching.

IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Ongoing slow release enrichment could be expanded.
• Limited potential for stream restoration - 1998 report suggested possibilities of further gravel placement at outlet of Ida Lake, selective woody debris removal and or repositioning in the outlet of Bonanza Lake.
• Improved protection against poaching - focus on steelhead holding and spawning in short section of Bonanza R. below Ida Lake (local capability in Port McNeill to complement conservation officer staff in Campbell River and Port Hardy would be very desirable - applies to Nimpkish as well).

NOTES: Non-mitigable impacts expected if independent power production was to proceed as has been proposed several times in the past.

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A nutrient enrichment program was started in 2001 using a solid, slow-release fertilizer applied by helicopter at two sites below Ida Lake (roughly 5 km apart, restoration reach 1 on watershed map). This program was suspended in 2002 due to the US manufacturer abruptly ending production of the fertilizer product.

While there appears to be few opportunities to increase wild steelhead production in the Kokish through habitat improvement, further spawning gravel placement in the outlet of Ida Lake, and selective woody debris removal (or repositioning) in the outlet of Bonanza Lake are potential candidates. These projects could directly benefit summer steelhead and resident trout in the two lakes. Although recommended by DFO in past years, no improvements to fish passage in the lower Kokish canyon should be done since its natural barriers effectively separate the winter and summer steelhead populations. A aggressive approach to hillslope stabilization following logging should help to reduce sediment transport to downstream fish habitats.

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The Kokish and Bonanza watersheds have been extensively logged over several decades. Significant fish habitat impacts have occurred, including the estuary in Beaver Cove (i.e., log storage site for nearby sawmill), and the outlet of Bonanza Lake (i.e., past log booming site). It is critical that current logging strictly adhere to FPC regulations and that a review of rate of cut-hydrology relationships under the Coastal Watershed Assessment Procedure be undertaken.

Secondly, the Kokish River has previously been identified as a potential site for independent power (hydroelectric) production. Environmental reviews of past hydro development proposals have identified major fish habitat impacts that could not likely be mitigated. In part, these conclusions have helped to keep the Kokish as a low power production alternative. However, new proposals in future could resurrect this fish habitat protection issue.

Finally, DFO and the local community hatchery now stock coho fry into the Bonanza River between Bonanza and Ida lakes. While broodstock is from the lower Kokish River, there is little evidence supporting DFO's contention that coho historically accessed the upper watershed above the lower canyon's falls. To date, provincial fisheries staff have been unable to curtail or redirect this coho enhancement project, so potential exists for direct competition between large hatchery coho fry (>5 grams) and wild steelhead parr in the stocked reaches. The province continues to discourage the out-planting of coho into areas not naturally (or formerly) accessible to adult spawners.

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• Current best estimate approx. 22,000 smolts/ 2,860 adults (based on extent and quality of parr habitat. A report done by Ptolemy in 1988 noted a low number of adults relative to the size of the system.)
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is 858 adults - mostly winter runs

Existing Habitat:
watershed area (km2):	2311		Comments
mean annual discharge (m3/s):	140		Area: 1,761 sq. km plus 550.3 sq. km in major tributaries, large lake, extensive logging in the last century leaving no large woody debris in many reaches. System is nutrient poor - substantially reduced salmon escapements in recent years. Baseflow alkalinity is very low at 7.5 mg/L and predicted capacity per steelhead size class is 100 g/Unit.
Summer Base Flow (%mad):	18
accessible length (km):	245
productivity:	very low

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• Several FRBC restoration projects undertaken in recent years primarily in smaller sub-basins with marginal steelhead productivity.
• Woss Lake currently being fertilized by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
• Side-channels constructed near Vernon Lake and downstream of Woss.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Recover wild stocks to take full advantage of this large system with 30 km of fishable water.
• Review current management strategy and maintain a catch and release fishery, if possible.
• Acquire resources to conduct a comprehensive assessment of habitat capability and evaluate the genetic uniqueness of Nimpkish early versus late winter and summer steelhead.
• Upgrade enforcement to deal with chronic poaching concerns.

IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Conduct annual liquid and slow release briquette stream enrichment (underway in 2001, slow release discontinued in 2002 due to unavailable product).
• Utilize high potential for more effective stream restoration - prescriptions to be developed by experienced consultants.

NOTES: Existing Nimpkish Resource Management Board is very dedicated to rebuilding all salmon and steelhead stocks. Steelhead stock very small relative to theoretical watershed capacity.

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Several fisheries restoration projects have been completed in the Nimpkish (funded mainly by FRBC). These were primarily in smaller sub-basins to the mainstem. These include the Davie, Lukwa, Sebalhall and Kilpala systems, as well as a tributary to Vernon Lake. For the most part, these will not result in large habitat gains for wild steelhead, but will benefit a range of native species, particularly coho. Work has involved debris and bedload removal to allow fish passage, rearing habitat complexing (i.e., large woody debris/boulder placements), streambank revetment and accessing "alcoves" or ponds through small channels or fishways.

A stream fertilization project involving key reaches of the mainstem Nimpkish, as well as selected tributaries, was initiated in 2001 using a combination of liquid fertilizer drip stations and a solid, slow release product (restoration reach 1 on watershed map). Enrichment continues in 2002 with liquid drip stations on the Nimpkish and Davie systems, but slow-release treatments of smaller tributaries was suspended pending development of new fertilizer products.

The Nimpkish Resource Management Board (NRMB) functions as a broad-based "coalition" of fish interests including senior governments, First Nations, industry, universities and community stewardship groups with a specific interest in the Nimpkish and Kokish-Bonanza watersheds. The NRMB recently (2002) released a "Nimpkish Watershed Fish Sustainability Plan" which outlined current conservation status and abundance trends for anadromous fish species in the Nimpkish, as well as a prioritized course of action for stock recovery. Recommendations for Nimpkish and Kokish-Bonanza steelhead recovery are included in this plan.

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The history of logging and fish habitat impacts in the Nimpkish watershed underscores the importance of close scrutiny of forest company compliance with FPC regulations. This should be the highest fish habitat protection priority in future. An unrelated concern involves misguided hatchery stocking practices of salmon, particularly coho, which may lead to over-stocked rearing habitat and conflicts with wild populations. This should be resolved through a closer working relationship between federal and provincial fisheries agencies and local hatchery managers.

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• 4400 smolts / 572 adults (based on Tredger 1986/Ptolemy 2002 (low end - combined runs).
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is 172 adults.

Existing Habitat:
watershed area (km2):	360		Comments
mean annual discharge (m3/s):	22.5		As this was one of the last significant unlogged watersheds on the east coast of Vancouver Island, it has received a high public profile. Extensive boulder habitat for parr. Baseflow alkalinity low at 5 mg/L and supports a low biomass of 82 g/unit. Good parr densities surveyed in early 1991-93 and 1998, but generally poor recently based on snorkel observations.
Summer Base Flow (%mad):	14.5
accessible length (km):	36
productivity:	Very Low

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• Enrichment began with slow release briquettes added to mainstem plus Catherine/Claud Elliott Creeks in 2001, but was discontinued in 2002 due to product unavailability.

SPECIAL HABITAT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain environmentally sensitive forest harvesting practices.
• Monitor/prevent establishment of feral Atlantic salmon run by regular escapes from nearby marine fish farms.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Recover wild stocks and maintain a catch and release fishery over 10-km fishable length.

IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Conduct annual stream enrichment.
• Possible localized bank revetment using geo-textiles, botanical treatment.

NOTES: Tsitika summer steelhead were used as wild brood stock for hatchery smolt introductions to the Campbell River from 1981 - 1994 inclusive. Recent development (2001) of Tsitika captive brood for future stocking in Campbell River. Annual review required both in terms of hatchery program effectiveness and the health of the donor Tsitika wild steelhead population.

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A mainstem nutrient enrichment project was initiated in July 2001 to increase the growth and survival of juvenile steelhead throughout most of the mainstem, downstream of Claud Elliot Creek (restoration reach 1 on watershed map). The application of solid, slow-release fertilizer was done using a helicopter and a remote controlled spreader bucket. In addition, the lower 5km of both Claud Elliot and Catherine creeks were also treated with the same product. This project was suspended in 2002 due to an interrupted supply of the fertilizer product from the US manufacturer. Two new products are now being field-tested in BC, and a resumption of fertilizer application to the Tsitika is highly desirable.

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Forest harvesting continues to represent the most serious concern for steelhead habitat protection in the Tsitika. While past logging has been closely scrutinized due to the "high profile" of non-timber Tsitika resources, there must be no less monitoring even after introduction of the FPC regulations. For the most part, forest companies have been cooperative in safeguarding sensitive fish habitats in this watershed. This must continue even in the face of high logging production costs and slumping international wood markets.

Another concern for Tsitika summer steelhead involved the discovery (August 1998) of apparently "wild spawned" Atlantic salmon juveniles, in the vicinity of Catherine Creek. Subsequent lab examination of sampled juveniles confirmed they were wild spawned, sparking public controversy and debate. While the observed and sampled numbers of juvenile Atlantics was very low, their similar rearing habitat preferences to steelhead increases the likelihood of direct competition. Hence, this situation requires close monitoring in future. As a post-script to this issue, no juvenile Atlantics were detected in the Tsitika during steelhead snorkel surveys from 2000-2002.

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