Analysis of Salmonid Spawning and Rearing Habitat in the Seymour River in North Vancouver, British Columbia

Salmonid populations are increasingly challenged by interruptions in watershed connectivity, and limited access to critical habitat. For spawning and rearing, salmonids require diverse habitat features, including gravel beds and large streamwood. However, many watersheds are deficient in large streamwood and gravel, in part due to dam structures limiting downstream transport. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate whether gravel and large streamwood deficiencies are occurring in the lower Seymour River (River) downstream the dam. Furthermore, there is a need to address whether these deficiencies can be mitigated to improve salmonid spawning and rearing habitat. This project will provide the Seymour Salmonid Society with an assessment of spawning and rearing habitat availability in the River. Based on these findings, habitat restoration recommendations to restore limiting factors will be provided. The Seymour Salmonid Society can use the results of this study to recover wild salmonid populations, including the River’s summer-run steelhead population.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ken Ashley

Student:

Rory Cleveland

Partner:

Seymour River Hatchery

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

British Columbia Institute of Technology