Characterizing groundwater-surface water interactions in constructed side-channel habitat along a gravel bed river floodplain

On the former floodplain of the Mamquam River in Squamish, British Columbia are a series of side-channels that were constructed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 1983-1996. These channels were built to restore some of the side-channel habitat that was lost following the dyking of the Mamquam River mainstem for flood protection. The Mamquam side-channels are highly productive chum (Onchorhynchus keta) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) habitat, however the channels typically go dry in the summer when there is very little to no rain. This results in stranding events for juvenile coho salmon that remain in the channels throughout the summer. There is concern amongst the community that nearby irrigation by the Squamish Valley Golf Course is causing the side-channels to go dry. This study is investigating this concern by monitoring the spatial and temporal distribution of water flow in the side-channels and the groundwater throughout the summer. Findings from this study will inform future restoration actions in the side-channels.

Faculty Supervisor:

Craig Orr;Shawn Chartrand

Student:

Partner:

Squamish River Watershed Society

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Agriculture; Other services (except public administration)

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: