The Northern Branch of the Steelhead Society has been hard at work again, rehabilitating the Telkwa River Coho Ponds. On May 29th we had ten volunteers spend the day working at the site. The volunteers removed an old fish counting fence at the confluence of the Telkwa River and the ponds that prevented fish from moving between the pond complex and the main river. A connecting channel between the upper and lower ponds was brushed of materials that could be used by beavers to make dams. Removed a dam completely blocking fish passage from the lower pond to the upper pond. In addition to the fencing around the connecting channel being repaired to prevent beavers from accessing the area.
This will be an ongoing project for the Northern Branch. We have received one donation already and have applied for two grants to secure the funds needed to complete the project. When the project is completed the site will provide important coho rearing habitat that is not readily available in the Telkwa River watershed. Numerous amphibians, insects, and mammals will also flourish within this unique habitat. School groups from Smithers Secondary School will provide volunteer time to rehabilitate the site in anticipation of an interpretive site being formed that could be used by students and the public.
Special Thanks To:
Steelhead Society Volunteers
Smithers Secondary School – John Goalder
David Bustard & Associates – David Bustard RPBio
Smithers Interior News – Cameron Orr
Silver Hilton Steelhead Lodge – Brian Schnieder
Ministry of Lands, Forests & Natural Resource Operations:
Dana Atagi – Regional Fish and wildlife Manager
Mark Beere – Senior Fish Biologist
Jeff Lough – Fisheries Biologist
