our process

Creek prioritization

The CHARS developed a risk-based matrix to prioritize restoration potential for tributaries of the upper Columbia River. The goal was two-fold, firstly to identify and design habitat rehabilitation opportunities for target native species in five creeks in the upper Columbia River. Secondly, to complete assessments needed to have a prioritized list of additional restoration opportunities that could be completed in future years.

The matrix provides an initial screening of available data and the means to identify data gaps, limitations, and ultimately monitoring and restoration opportunities. Metrics compiled for the matrix are coarse, landscape-level indicators of natural aquatic variability and anthropogenic conditions to inform potential restoration success across the upper Columbia River.

Three types of metrics were compiled, reviewed, and ranked, then combined to come up with a hierarchy of potential restoration. These metrics include Fish, Anthropogenic, and Community. Fish metrics are simple measures of aquatic habitat quantity, diversity, or surrogates for direct habitat measurements. Anthropogenic metrics reflect current condition related to anthropogenic factors that are documented to impact aquatic habitat quantity, quality, and connectivity. Community metrics are socio-cultural factors that are known to impact restoration potential by reflecting local interest/community involvement.

We estimated the value for the above set of metrics for 78 named watersheds between Donald and Canal Flats. Results showed watersheds with higher risk (impacted or potentially impacted) that also had intrinsically good watershed conditions for fish. Eighteen watersheds, were ranked high or very high for anthropogenic pressures and fish intrinsic conditions.

Map of prioritization scores (from 2021-22 data) for Upper Columbia tributaries based on three metrics (i.e., Fish, Anthropogenic, and Community) characterizing fish habitat restoration potential.

Fraling, Marion, Shuswap, Luxor, and Stoddart Creek were the five creeks chosen for on-the-ground restoration. These five creeks were selected rather than other high-ranking creeks due to the feasibility and low risk nature of the restoration opportunities that were presented. They also presented unique opportunities to build community connections and capacity within local groups.

For more detailed information on our prioritization for restoration, view our CHARS Fish and Fish Habitat Summary Report located on the reports page.

Fish

Presence/absence surveys and population abundance monitoring was completed in 2020, 2021, and 2022 at 19-20 locations among 5-6 streams including Fraling (Galena), Shuswap, Luxor, and Marion Creek. Fish habitat inventory information was also gathered at all sites to contextualize fish population data.

environmental monitoring

We assessed the watersheds from Canal Flats to Donald for SAR, general risk level, and overall fish distribution.

This included conducting reconnaissance level habitat surveys and Level-1 Fish Habitat Assessment Procedure (FHAP) habitat surveys. The reconnaissance surveys were conducted for several reasons; this data supported the selection of priority creeks as well as the prioritization tool for future watershed restoration selection. The data also helped identify stream reaches and confirm or locate potential fish barriers that may interrupt connectivity with the mainstem Columbia River and within tributaries basins.

We have conducted continuous environmental monitoring on the selected creeks in order to create baseline data to measure the effects of restoration, as well as inform data gaps and landscape analysis of the Columbia Valley.

Hydrometric monitoring on selected creeks was completed to identify suitable sites and establish hydrometric monitoring stations on smaller tributary streams in the Upper Columbia River. A secondary goal of hydrometric monitoring was to provide hydrometric data for stream restoration project design and select streams that were representative of different hydrological conditions at the sub-watershed scale.

A temperature monitoring program was also established to create a long-term temperature monitoring network among representative aquatic habitats (i.e., small and large tributaries, mainstem Columbia River). This baseline data supports restoration monitoring, climate modelling, landscape analysis, salmon reintroduction, and species at risk habitat assessments.