Estimated Steelhead Smolt Capacity & Returning Adults (assuming 13% marine survival):

• Not available

Existing Habitat:
watershed area (km2):	128		Comments
mean annual discharge (m3/s):	4.23		Active logging. Channel instability, bank erosion, and sediment transport. Reasonable summer base flow that covers riffles for insect production to sustain juvenile salmonids. biomass 130g/unit
Summer baseflow (%mad)	9%
Accessible length (km):	17.5
Productivity - main stem	low

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• N/A

SPECIAL HABITAT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

• Logging and development practices need to put particular emphasis on riparian zones, road construction and maintenance and cut blocks on steep slopes in headwater reaches.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Undertake a one-season comprehensive biophysical inventory and stock assessment to upgrade existing information on steelhead stock status, current capacity of the watershed to produce steelhead, recovery opportunities and watershed specific constraints to effective management
• Check enrichment potential with water sampling
• Evaluate restoration potential. Could be good because of low access costs, community interest, and local logging contractors on site

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Estimated Steelhead Habitat Smolt Capacity as Returning Adults (assuming 13% marine survival):

• 1000 - 2000 adults (based on extensive juvenile assessments by Clark et al.)
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is 300 - 600 adults

Existing Habitat:
watershed area (km2):	2330		Comments
mean annual discharge (m3/s):	238		Watershed extensively logged, Cheakamus partially diverted into Squamish above normal confluence, hydro-influenced flow regime - very high summer base flows making main stem inhabitable for fry but does allow braids and side channels to be effective steelhead production sites. Most production from tributaries such as Shovelnose and side channels. Shovelnose and other tribs severely damaged by massive sediment input. Estuary significantly altered by port development and flood control measures. (Biomass 130g/unit in braids, side channels and short accessible tributaries.)
Summer baseflow (%mad)	114%
Accessible length (km):	70
Productivity - main stem	Very low
Productivity - certain tributaries	Fair to Good

SPECIAL HABITAT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

• Monitor fisheries results following implementation of the BC Hydro Water Use Plan that is expected to result in improved base flow conditions below the diversion. (Completed but not yet authorized by the Water Comptroller.)
• Improve compliance with good forestry practices.
• Avoid further encroachments on the flood plain.
• The Cheakamus and its key Brohm tributary need special protection from potential habitat disturbance due to possible Whistler highway widening.

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• Several DFO side channels.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Rehabilitate wild stocks to routine management zone levels by taking full advantage of the potential productive capacity of this large system with 70 km of fishable water.
• Reduce fishing -related mortalities in Sport and First Nation fisheries.
• Establish a monitoring system for the entire watershed including Cheakamus and Mamquam.
• Investigate potential short-term fish culture supplementation options to colonize and kick-start newly created barren side channels constructed to offset losses to natural production from major sediment events.

CURRENTLY IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Negotiate co-operative program with Squamish First Nation to monitor and manage directed net fishery.
• Enrich those streams and side-channels flowing through areas of granite rock geology.
• Stream restoration on west side (requires detailed bio-engineering field assessment).
• Improve enforcement to deal with chronic poaching problems throughout watershed.

NOTES: The main stem is unproductive with zero juvenile steelhead abundance detected in the mid-1980s. Production data from side channels and tribs (affected by major sediment events) is incomplete. Potential is limited by sediment events and lack of groundwater areas. See results of the Squamish River Sustainable Fisheries Conference of Nov. 1997. BC Hydro involved with Water Use Plan.

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Three presentations describe habitat restoration work in the Squamish River drainage:

• Seymour River Habitat Restoration Project, Phase I (499KB PDF, opens in new browser window)
• Cheakmus and Mashiter Habitat Restoration Projects (499KB PDF, opens in new browser window)
• Shovelnose Extension Channel Habitat Restoration (499KB PDF, opens in new browser window)

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Estimated Steelhead Habitat Capacity as Returning Adults (assuming 13% marine survival):

• 700 adults based on Beck/Clark assessments, including highly productive Brohm tributary.
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is 210 adults

Existing Habitat:
watershed area (km2):	1010		Comments
Natural MAD (m3/s):	68		High logging impacts, Significant BC Hydro Diversion to Squamish much higher in watershed than natural confluence, river over-widened with loss of riparian zone and habitat complexity, extensive dyking and flood plain loss due to development. Highly productive Brohm tributary may not be accessible by steelhead in some years.
Natural Summer Base (%mad):	23%
Regulated MAD (m3/s):	31.5
Accessible length (km):	17.5
Productivity - main stem	Medium
Productivity - Brohm	High

SPECIAL HABITAT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

• Monitor fisheries results following implementation of the BC Hydro Water Use Plan that is expected to result in improved base flow conditions below the diversion. (Completed but not yet authorized by the Water Comptroller.)
• Improve compliance with good forestry practices.
• Avoid further encroachments on the flood plain.
• The Cheakamus and its key Brohm tributary need special protection from potential habitat disturbance due to possible Whistler highway widening.

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• Several DFO side channels.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Restore and maintain stocks at or above 400 adults and provide minimal-impact angling opportunities for about 3,000 angler days per annum when and where possible.
• Provide optimal fisheries flows below the BC Hydro diversion.

IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Lower pre-spawning mortality through reduced angling in holding and spawning areas (underway 2002);
• Increase enforcement of fishing and forestry regulations (numerous violations reported);
• Negotiate co-operative program with Squamish First Nation to manage directed net fishery;
• Stream restoration: dyke complexing, side channel reactivation, main stem wood and pools;
• Alleviate partial obstruction on Cheekeye at BCR Bridge which blocks Brohm fish during low flow periods.

NOTES: Brohm and Upper Cheakamus stocks hold together in Paradise valley area. Desirable to continue telemetry studies for at least one more year to firm up the relationship for predicting observer efficiency, which will enhance accuracy of less expensive routine steelhead monitoring programs. Major Federal Tenderfoot Hatchery - no steelhead program.

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• 150 - 200 adults estimated by Hanson based on very low parr habitat capability, good but limited habitat in Mashiter Creek, Mean annual discharge correlations and low to moderate productivity of about 140 grams/100 sq. metre. Further review is required.
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is 50 - 60 adults.

Existing Habitat:
watershed area (km2):	334		Comments
mean annual discharge (m3/s):	25		High logging impacts, urbanization and flood control impacts - river over-widened with loss of riparian zone, minimum flows may be inadequate in some years. Small hydroelectric facility above anadromous barrier with a second facility proposed that may cause unrealized impacts relating to loss of gravel and woody debris and reduction in canyon productivity.
Summer Base Flow (%mad):	60%
Accessible length (km):	5.5
Productivity - main stem	Low
productivity- Mashiter Cr.	Good

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• DFO side channel.

SPECIAL HABITAT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS:

• Negotiate appropriate flow regime through a Water Use Plan with hydro producers
• Improve compliance with good forestry practices
• Minimize urban and flood control impacts

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Recover and Maintain wild stocks in Routine Management Zone capable of supporting a catch and release fishery supporting 400 rod-days
• Reduce pre-spawning mortality through angling regulation in holding and spawning areas
• Improve compliance with fishing regulations
• Investigate potential for further stream restoration
• See Squamish Plan for further overall watershed objectives

NOTES: A portion of the steelhead run in the Mamquam arrives after river visibility conditions have deteriorated making overall counts from swim surveys difficult. Nevertheless swim surveys should serve as a useful index of abundance for management. It would be desirable if they were verified through another independent means such as telemetry surveys.

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PDF version (41KB PDF, opens in new browser window)

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