A local conservation group in Prince George, B.C., has successfully reconnected a side channel of the Nechako River at Cottonwood Island Park, putting an end to fish getting trapped and dying in isolated pools during low water periods. The 1.4-km-long side channel, utilized by various fish species as a refuge and spawning habitat, was prone to drying up, leaving fish stranded or exposed to predators when the water levels dropped.
Jesi Lauzon, the operations co-ordinator for Spruce City Wildlife Association, highlighted the dire situation faced by the stranded fish, with oxygen-depleted water and the risk of freezing solid in winter. To address this issue, the group used an excavator to recreate the connection between the side channel and the Nechako River, ensuring a continuous water flow to support the fish habitat.
Lauzon’s motivation to initiate the restoration project stemmed from an incident involving her basset hound Daisy venturing into the drained channel during a walk at Cottonwood Island Park. As a former fisheries biology student at the University of Northern B.C., she seized the opportunity to transform her academic project into a practical conservation endeavor, with the support of the Spruce City Wildlife Association.
After extensive monitoring and data collection over two years, Lauzon demonstrated that the channel was not a safe winter sanctuary for salmon. Volunteers assisted in relocating salmon from the channel to safer areas while the restoration project progressed. With the channel now reconnected to the Nechako River, Lauzon anticipates observing changes in the fish and wildlife populations utilizing the revitalized habitat.
The project received significant community support, including contributions from the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s fisheries team, who planted willow trees along the channel to enhance bank stability and wildlife habitat. Lauzon expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of various organizations and individuals, emphasizing the collective impact of community involvement in realizing the restoration project’s success.