A local conservation group in Prince George, B.C., has successfully reconnected a small side channel of the Nechako River at Cottonwood Island Park. This initiative aims to prevent fish from being stranded and dying in disconnected pools during low water periods. The 1.4-km-long side channel serves as a crucial habitat for various fish species, providing refuge and spawning grounds.
Previously, the side channel would dry up when the water receded, leaving fish vulnerable to predators or stranded in the sediments. To address this issue, the group used an excavator to permanently reconnect the channel to the Nechako River in early December. Jesi Lauzon, the operations co-ordinator for Spruce City Wildlife Association, highlighted the importance of this restoration project, emphasizing the adverse impact on fish when the channel dried up.
Lauzon’s inspiration for the project stemmed from a personal experience involving her dog Daisy, who ventured into the drained channel. As a fisheries biology student at the University of Northern B.C., Lauzon saw an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. With the support of the local non-profit organization, Spruce City Wildlife Association, Lauzon conducted monitoring activities for two years to gather crucial data on the channel’s conditions.
Volunteers played a key role in the restoration efforts by setting traps to relocate salmon from the channel to safer areas. With the successful reconnection of the channel to the Nechako River, Lauzon looks forward to observing the changes in fish and wildlife populations using the revitalized habitat. The project received widespread community support, with organizations like the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s fisheries team contributing by planting willow trees along the channel to enhance wildlife habitat.
The collaborative effort involved various community groups and businesses, reflecting a shared commitment to environmental conservation. Lauzon expressed gratitude for the collective effort that made the project a reality, emphasizing the positive impact of teamwork in restoring the fish habitat at Cottonwood Island Park.