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

• 7000 smolts/ 800 adults (based on a review of existing information)
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is approx. 240 adults

Existing Habitat:
Watershed area (km2):	237		Comments
Mean annual discharge (m3/s):	27		Existing productivity can be substantially improved with a combination of better base flows and reduced sediment loadings as there is excellent habitat available. High sediment loads from gravel operations. Flow regime alteration from GVRD/Hydro project. Urbanization along 18% of length resulting in serious flood plain constriction. Agricultural activity along 23% of length. August/September demand is 73% of natural summer 7-day mean flow. Additional water quality concerns including ammonia, non-filterable residues, and fecal coliforms. Biomass 140g/unit.
Summer baseflow (%mad)	4%
Accessible length (km):	16
productivity: (natural)	Fairly low

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• Negotiated flow increases and off-channel works as a part of the WUP;
• LWD placements and side channel;
• Clay bank stabilization on Orr Creek.

SPECIAL HABITAT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

• Prevent gravel removal in the lower river.
• Eliminating chronic sediment loads from gravel pits.
• Develop an improved flow regime through a WUP.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Undertake stock assessment surveys to produce annual estimates of wild and hatchery escapements.
• Improve habitat conditions by undertaking additional restoration
• Manage wild stocks at consistently healthy levels above 200 wild steelhead capable of supporting about 1200 rod-days per annum.
• Undertake community consultations with a view towards developing a co-operative management program for the watershed for conservation of steelhead and other salmon stocks and their habitats.

IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Many more well-anchored LWD and pools;
• Improved water quality through a significant reduction of sedimentation from gravel operations and reduced inputs from urban areas and agriculture.
• Raise summer base flows from 4% to 10% of Mean Annual Discharge;
• Regulatory adjustments to reduce fishing-related impacts on wild steelhead.

NOTES: Small community hatchery in watershed that does not have the potential to raise steelhead smolts according to a Ministry staff assessment.

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

• 1000 - 1500 (roughly estimated from past historical abundance)
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is approx. 300 - 450 adults

Existing Habitat:
Watershed area (km2):	181		Comments
Mean annual discharge (m3/s):	54		High sediment loads from gravel operations, unstable flow regime - bed load movement in main stem and tribs above lake. 10% of watershed has been logged. Biomass <100g/unit
Summer Base Flow (%mad):	118%
Accessible length (km):	19.5
Productivity:	low

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• Six DFO-WRP off-channel projects completed above the lake.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Significantly improve habitat conditions in order to recover wild stocks to consistently healthy levels.

IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Requires major LWD or concrete substitutes in main stem and large tribs to create pools and complexity

NOTES: Productive capacity of watershed needs to be established through a full assessment program. Limited salmon trapping done by DFO. No juvenile surveys. Major recovery may need to wait until upland habitats are more stabilized. DFO (ex IPSFC sockeye salmon hatchery in watershed - not suitable for steelhead culture in sockeye facility).

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• 3,200 smolts/400 adults (estimated by Ptolemy - current stream conditions need to be factored in.)

Existing Habitat:
Watershed area (km2):	99.5		Comments
Mean Annual Discharge (m3/s):	3.47		Agricultural and flood control concerns on lower reaches, urbanized - subject to fish kills, strong community interest in rehabilitation
Summer Base Flow (%MAD):	12%
Productivity:	high

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Establish current populations of steelhead, develop conservation objectives and design appropriate recovery measures for each system involving local community groups as much as practicable.

NOTES: According to the local DFO Community Advisor, the latter two systems have seen some recent gains in steelhead abundance, probably as a result of improved salmon returns.

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• 1,900 smolts/250 adults (estimated from both adult and smolt counts).
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is approx. 75 adults

Existing Habitat:
Watershed area (km2):	63.7		Comments
Mean Annual Discharge (m3/s):	0.938		Very high productivity, biomass 350g/unit - potential limited by size of watershed and lack of large woody debris and extent of boulder reaches for parr habitat, Summer flows are inadequate and well below 20% of mean annual discharge - natural summer 7-day mean low flow is 4% of MAD and domestic irrigation and industry water demand is 70% of MAD resulting in some sections going dry in the summer months. Highly urbanized (rural development) system, on list of sensitive streams. Intensive agricultural activities - reported fish kills, low dissolved oxygen levels. Significant habitat disruption of the riparian zone.
Summer Base Flow (%MAD):	10.8%
Accessible length (km):	8
Productivity:	Very high

SPECIAL HABITAT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

• Improve summer low flows by establishing and enforcing a minimum flow and water quality provision as part of an integrated habitat and fisheries management plan that is locally developed and supported. Requires much more effective habitat protection of riparian zone.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Explore feasibility of making this a steelhead index stream by reviewing current downstream smolt counts for wild production and improving estimates of spawners and catch downstream of fence. (This will require much improved habitat conditions to support higher levels of wild stocks to be feasible.)

IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Improve smolt yields through improved habitat protection, better minimum summer flows and restoration of Large Woody Debris

NOTES: Strong community group and hatchery on system. Needs a professional assessment of existing historical records. A watershed protection plan needs to be developed and supported at the local level with technical backup and enforcement from fisheries agencies.

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• 4,600 smolts/ 600 adults (based on review of existing information).
• Conservation Concern Level @ 30% of capacity is approx. 300 - 450 adults.

Existing Habitat:
Watershed area (km2):	234		Comments
Natural MAD (m3/s):	20		Diversion to Stave reservoir - improved flow releases implemented by BC Hydro now yield summer base flows of 20% of natural MAD - (Prior to 1995 were 5%MAD). August/September demand is 73% of natural summer 7-day mean flow. Urbanization along 22% of length with serious flood plain constriction. Agricultural activity along 47% of length. Wood waste impacts. Additional water quality concerns including ammonia, non-filterable residues, fecal coliforms, and high water temperatures. Biomass 220 g/unit.
Regulated MAD (m3/s)	6.2
Summer Base Flow under WUP (m3/s):	4.0
Accessible length (km):	22
Productivity:	Moderate

HABITAT RESTORATION TO DATE

• BC Hydro WUP flow improvements and other in-stream work such as LWD placement
• Community stream restoration activities

SPECIAL HABITAT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

• Agricultural and wood waste impacts need to be addressed.
• Urbanization impacts need to be minimized including flood protection impacts.
• Maintain adequate flow releases from BC Hydro diversion dam under Alouette River WUP.

STEELHEAD OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

• Make the Alouette (or Salmon) a steelhead index-stream and part of the PSEF initiative.
• Maintain wild escapements at 500 - 600 steelhead and existing augmentation levels capable of supporting 4,000 rod-days per year.
• Look for habitat recovery opportunities as a part of the developing plans and projects
• Implement community stream restoration activities and examine potential to recolonize areas upstream above the dam.
• Foster current efforts of the Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) towards an integrated and comprehensive watershed approach with all interested parties. (PSEF Candidate - see below)

IDENTIFIED RECOVERY OPTIONS

• Has enrichment potential - concern application could confound WUP evaluations.

NOTES: ARMS is a strong local watershed and enhancement group using BC Corrections hatchery facility. Candidate for steelhead index system through the Pacific Salmon Endowment Fund. Need to review smolt data from BC Hydro rotary screw traps. Potential recently improved with larger base flows. Parr rearing limited by few large woody debris and boulder reach extent, good parr habitat above the hatchery. If fish were introduced into streams above Alouette Lake, screening the diversion into Stave would be required.

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