4 Results and Discussion

Results of Morice Planning, Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessments are summarized in Figure 4.1 with additional details provided in sections below.


Figure 4.1: Map of fish passage and habitat confirmation results

4.1 Planning

Following review of background literature, fisheries information, PSCIS and bcfishpass outputs, 70 modelled and PSCIS crossings were reviewed to select sites for follow up with Phase 1 and 2 assessments in the Morice River watershed. 14 crossings ranked as high priority for future follow up with Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 assessments, 26 crossings ranked as moderate priorities, and 30 crossings ranked as low priorities. Georeferenced field maps are presented in here and available for bulk download as Attachment 1. Results of the planning review are presented in Figure 4.1 and included as a zipped Google Earth kml file for overlay on field maps as (Attachment 2). Although planning for field assessments ws still underway at the time of reporting through ongoing modelling, engagement with the Office of Wet’suwet’en, DFO, FLNRORD, BC Ministry of Environment, the Morice Watershed Monitoring Trust and numerous others, some key areas likely targeted for fieldwork include the Owen Creek, Lamprey Creek, McBride Lake, Nanika Lake, and Morice Lake watersheds.


4.2 Phase 1

Field assessments were conducted between August 26 2020 and September 05 2020 by Allan Irvine, R.P.Bio. and Kyle Prince, P.Biol. A total of 30 Phase 1 assessments were conducted with 12 crossings considered “passable,” 3 crossings considered “potential” barriers and 11 crossings considered “barriers” according to threshold values based on culvert embedment, outlet drop, slope, diameter (relative to channel size) and length (MoE 2011). Georeferenced field maps are presented in here and available for bulk download as Attachment 1. A summary of crossings assessed, a cost benefit analysis and priority ranking for follow up for Phase 1 sites presented in Table 4.1. Detailed data with photos are presented in Appendix - Phase 1 Fish Passage Assessment Data and Photos.


“Barrier” and “Potential Barrier” rankings used in this project followed MoE (2011) and reflect an assessment of passability for juvenile salmon or small resident rainbow trout at any flows potentially present throughout the year (Clarkin et al. 2005 ; Bell 1991; Thompson 2013). As noted in Bourne et al. (2011), with a detailed review of different criteria in Kemp and O’Hanley (2010), passability of barriers can be quantified in many different ways. Fish physiology (i.e. species, length, swim speeds) can make defining passability complex but with important implications for evaluating connectivity and prioritizing remediation candidates (Bourne et al. 2011; Shaw et al. 2016; Mahlum et al. 2014; Kemp and O’Hanley 2010). Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (2009) present criteria for assigning passability scores to culverts that have already been assessed as barriers in coarser level assessments. These passability scores provide additional information to feed into decision making processes related to the prioritization of remediation site candidates and have potential for application in British Columbia.


Table 4.1: Upstream habitat estimates and cost benefit analysis for Phase 1 assessments.
PSCIS ID Stream Road Result Habitat value Stream Width (m) Priority Fix Cost Est ( $K) Habitat Upstream (km) Cost Benefit (m / $K) Cost Benefit (m2 / $K)
3067 Byman Creek North Road Barrier High 9.0 high OBS 162 3.99 24.6 110.8
58158 McDowell Creek Highway 16 Barrier High 2.5 high OBS 6500 9.90 1.5 1.9
123463 Victor Creek Tyee Lake Road Barrier Medium 1.8 mod SS-CBS 200 1.80 9.0 8.1
124502 Tributary to Bulkley River Lawson Road Barrier Medium 3.2 mod OBS 500 8.68 17.4 27.8
197640 Tributary to Buck Creek Buck Flats FSR Barrier High 5.1 high OBS – 19.96 – –
197646 Tributary to Buck Creek Spur off Parrot FSR Barrier Medium 1.4 mod SS-CBS 25 5.11 204.4 143.1
197647 Tributary to Buck Creek Carrier FSR Barrier Low 1.5 low SS-CBS 25 1.78 71.2 53.4
197653 Perow Creek Perow Loop Rd Barrier Medium 2.5 mod OBS 1000 34.23 34.2 42.8
197654 Tributary to Buck Creek Balsam FSR Barrier Medium 1.5 mod SS-CBS 25 3.34 133.6 100.2
197655 McInnes Creek Highway 16 Potential Low 1.0 low SS-CBS 1000 15.15 15.2 7.6
197656 Tributary to Bulkley River Highway 16 Potential Low 5.0 low OBS 5000 7.16 1.4 3.6
197657 Perow Creek Highway 16 Potential High 3.2 mod OBS 5000 0.19 0.0 0.1
197658 Byman Creek Highway 16 Barrier High 11.1 high OBS 7550 178.46 23.6 131.2
197662 Richfield Creek Highway 16 Barrier High 12.5 high OBS 8250 289.39 35.1 219.2
197663 Johnny David Creek Highway 16 Barrier High 6.3 high OBS 5150 85.39 16.6 52.2
197667 Moan Creek CN Railway Barrier High 3.8 high OBS 5000 9.68 1.9 3.7
197668 Coffin Creek CN Railway Barrier High 5.3 high OBS 5000 38.12 7.6 20.2
197669 Riddeck Creek Private Barrier High 2.6 high OBS 125 0.34 2.7 3.5


4.3 Phase 2

Although not assessed in 2020, Wilson and Rabnett (2007) report that the crossing structure located on Highway 16 and Station Creek (PSCIS 124420, UTM: 9U.586630.6122416) has been the subject of numerous assessments and designs with respect to the rehabilitation of fish passage, and they rated this crossing as the highest priority for rehabilitation in the Bulkley River watershed. Gitxsan Watershed Authority reports that Xsan Xsagiibil was a fishing site located at the mouth of Station Creek (Xsi Gwin Sagiiblax) (Wilson and Rabnett 2007). Identified as a high priority for additional assessments by Rabnett and Williams (2004), SKR Consultants Ltd. (2006) conducted a detailed inspection, offered rehabilitation design options and identified the natural limits of potential fish distribution to support rehabilitation efforts. At the time of this report, fish passage at the crossing had not yet been remediated due to complexities and costs associated with rehabilitation designs (Kathryn Graham, Regional Manager Environmental Services - Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure pers. comm.).


During 2020 field assessments, habitat confirmation assessments were conducted at 22 sites in the Bulkley River watershed group and one site in the Morice River watershed group. A total of approximately 18 km of stream was assessed, fish sampling utilizing electrofishing and/or minnowtrapping was conducted at eight sites, and three sites were mapped using remotely piloted aircraft. Of note, in 2020, surveys in some larger mid Bulkley River tributaries with high potential low gradient habitat gains (ex. Toboggan Creek and John Brown Creek) were not conducted due to poor survey conditions caused by high water. Additionally, assessment at crossings on some large tributary streams in the upper Bulkley River were not conducted due to finite quantities of field time (ex. Ailport Creek, Cesford Creek and Watson Creek). Georeferenced field maps are presented in here and available for bulk download as Attachment 1.


As collaborative decision making was ongoing at the time of reporting, site prioritization can be considered preliminary. In total, Twelve crossings were rated as high priorities for proceeding to design for replacement, 9 crossings were rated as moderate priorities, and 2 crossings were rated as low priorities. Results are summarized in Figure 4.1 and Tables 4.2 - 4.2 with raw habitat and fish sampling data included in digital format as Attachment 4. A summary of preliminary modelling results illustrating the quantity of chinook, coho and steelhead spawning and rearing habitat potentially available upstream of each crossing as estimated by measured/modelled channel width and upstream accessible stream length are presented in Figure 4.3. Detailed information for each site assessed with Phase 2 assessments (including maps) are presented within site specific appendices to this document.



Table 4.2: Overview of habitat confirmation sites.
PSCIS ID Stream Road UTM (9U) Fish Species Habitat Gain (km) Habitat Value Priority Comments
3042 Barren Creek Barren Creek FSR 654451 6042827 RB 1.7 Medium moderate Wilson Falls is located downstream of the crossing, so restoration benefits resident rainbow trout. Beaver influenced habitat upstream.
3054 Johnny David Creek North road 664881 6052688 RB 7.5 Medium moderate Smaller channel upstream with beaver activity throughout areas surveyed. Some potential for a natural barrier downstream.
3139 Trib to McQuarrie Creek North Road 656657 6048544 RB 7.3 Medium moderate 4-5 m impassable falls downstream in McQuarrie Creek so remediation benefits resident rainbow trout.
58159 McDowell Creek Woodmere Nursery Road 627643 6060449 RB, CO 0.8 Medium high Electrofishing conducted. Abundant cover available primarily as overhanging vegetation and cobbles. Upstream culvert under Highway 16 has been recently replaced by horizontal drilling. Baffles at upstream crossing.
123445 Tyhee Creek Highway 16 627238 6061456 BB,C,CAS,CC,CH,CM,CO,CT,GPW,LSU,MW,NSC,PCC,PK,PW,RB,RDC,RSC,SA,SK,ST,SU 6.0 Medium high Large outlet drop. Tyhee Lake upstream. Beaver dams and agricultural impacts between the highway and the lake.
123446 Tyhee Creek Tyee Lake Road 627527 6061771 BB,C,CAS,CC,CH,CM,CO,CT,GPW,LSU,MW,NSC,PCC,PK,PW,RB,RDC,RSC,SA,SK,ST,SU 5.5 Medium moderate Beaver influenced wetland type habitat and private land between road and Tyhee Lake.
123794 Tributary to Blunt Creek Blunt Creek FSR 616100 6106763 (RB) 0.5 Medium moderate Channel was noted as having good complexity with abundant gravels suitably sized for both coho and resident salmonid spawning. 4m high falls at top end of the site.
123795 Tributary to Blunt Creek Blunt Creek FSR 615760 6106892 SA 1.3 Medium moderate Deep glide habitat. Very occasional pockets of gravel suitable for resident and adfluvial salmonid spawning.
124487 Porphyryr Creek Highway 16 603073 6113363 RB, DV 8.0 High high Boulders dominant form of cover with small woody debris, large woody debris, and overhanging vegetation also present. Some pockets of gravel suitable for spawning for resident and anadromous species with minimal pool habitat observed. Difficult survey conditions due to high water.
124500 Helps Creek Lawson Road 627552 6058697 CT,DV,LNC,LSU,RB, ST, CO, L 9.0 Medium moderate Multiple braided channels and ponds within beaver influenced wetland areas.
124501 Moan Creek Lawson Road 630661 6055713 CO, CH, RB, CT, DV, BT 2.8 High low Embedded, baffled and without a significant outlet drop. Recent work completed by LGL and Wet’suwet’en First Nation.
124504 Coffin Creek Lawson Road 634323 6054587 CO, CSU,CT,DV,LSU,MW,RB,RSC 4.0 High moderate Focus area for Environmental Stewardship Initiative. Embedded but non-backwatered. Downstream crossing is more of a pressing issue.
195288 Gibson Creek Schnider Road 640899 6051559 RB, CT 4.5 Medium high Beaver influenced wetland complexes uspstream. Aerial survey conducted.
195290 Gibson Creek Highway 16 640014 6051697 RB, CT, CO, BT 1.0 Medium high Primarily beaver influenced wetland area upstream with narrow and deep channel. Electrofishing and aerial surveys conducted. Coho captured downstream but not upstream.
197360 Riddeck Creek Morice-Owen FSR 649936 5992406 RB, LSU 1.2 High high Cover available in all forms with pools suitable for juvenile RB and CO overwintering. Abundant gravels and small cobbles throughout suitable for CO or RB/ST spawning. Electrofishing and aerial surveys conducted.
197640 Tributary to Buck Creek Buck Flats Road 654312 6012383 RB 4.2 High high Rare pockets of gravel suitable for spawning resident, fluvial and anadromous salmonids. Stream aggraded with side bars common. An estimated 129ha of wetland upstream.
197658 Byman Creek Highway 16 666847 6044305 CO,CSU,LNC,LSU,RB,RSC,ST 6.0 High high High habitat complexity including numerous pools up to 2m deep and frequent glide sections to 1m deep. Extensive areas of gravel suitable for spawning for resident and anadromous species. Shallow depth of water during low flows could block salmon spawners.
197662 Richfield Creek Highway 16 672405 6044146 CH,CO,LNC,LSU,RB,ST 2.0 High high High habitat complexity including pools to 2m deep and glides to 1m deep. Water temperatures significantly cooler than in the upper Bulkley mainstem.
197663 Johnny David Creek Highway 16 670241 6044772 CO, RB, MW 10.0 High high Riffles installed to backwater outlet in 2017. Inlet of culvert damaged. Electrofishing conducted upstream and downstream with coho and rainbow captured.
197664 Barren Creek Highway 16 660454 6037919 CH,CO,CT,L,RB,SST,ST 6.2 High moderate Technically passable but undersized and part of infrastructure causing negative impacts on stream function. Dredging required to keep crossing from directing flows over Highway 16 during high flow events.
197665 Barren Creek CN Railway 660627 6037843 CH,CO,CT,L,RB,SST,ST 6.4 High low Technically passable but undersized. Railway blocks access to a series of historic upper Bulkley River oxbows adjacent to the culvert location. Culvert appears to be potentially failing.
197667 Moan Creek CN Railway 631092 6055866 CO, CH, RB, CT, DV, BT 3.3 High high Pockets of gravels and small cobbles suitable for resident and anadromous salmonid spawning. Undercut banks dominant with small woody debris, large woody debris, and overhanging vegetation also present. Perched culvert with shallow flows within pipe.
197668 Coffin Creek CN Railway 634336 6054609 CO, CSU,CT,DV,LSU,MW,RB,RSC 4.0 High high Focus area for Environmental Stewardship Initiative. Backwater works completed in 2017 but do not appear to be effective. High habitat complexity with occasional patches of gravels suitable for spawning present.
Table 4.3: Summary of Phase 2 fish passage reassessments.
PSCIS ID Embedded Outlet Drop (m) Diameter (m) SWR Slope (%) Length (m) Final score Barrier Result
3042 No 0.00 1.00 1.0 1.5 23 21 Barrier
3054 No 0.76 3.00 1.2 2.0 40 34 Barrier
3139 No 1.02 1.20 3.2 2.0 27 34 Barrier
58159 No 0.36 1.00 2.3 3.0 14 36 Barrier
123445 No 0.90 0.90 3.1 3.0 50 42 Barrier
123446 No 0.00 1.85 1.4 1.1 21 24 Barrier
123794 No 0.25 0.90 1.9 5.0 13 31 Barrier
123795 No 0.17 0.90 1.6 1.0 15 29 Barrier
124487 No 2.50 5.00 2.2 4.0 99 42 Barrier
124500 No 0.00 1.50 2.4 1.0 14 21 Barrier
124501 Yes 0.30 1.60 2.8 6.0 25 34 Barrier
124504 Yes 0.20 3.00 1.8 1.0 16 24 Barrier
195288 No 0.30 1.20 2.5 1.0 11 31 Barrier
195290 No 0.66 0.80 3.0 1.5 0 31 Barrier
197360 No 0.24 1.20 1.8 1.0 27 29 Barrier
197640 No 0.40 1.50 3.4 1.5 12 31 Barrier
197658 No 2.00 4.00 2.8 4.0 24 39 Barrier
197662 No 0.20 4.20 3.0 2.0 24 29 Barrier
197663 No 0.00 1.75 3.6 2.0 25 24 Barrier
197664 Yes 0.00 2.50 1.9 2.0 15 14 Passable
197665 Yes 0.00 0.90 3.9 1.0 25 14 Passable
197667 No 0.58 2.50 1.5 4.0 17 39 Barrier
197668 No 0.27 3.00 1.8 2.0 15 29 Barrier


Table 4.4: Cost benefit analysis for Phase 2 assessments.
PSCIS ID Stream Road Result Habitat value Stream Width (m) Fix Cost Est (in $K) Habitat Upstream (m) Cost Benefit (m / $K) Cost Benefit (m2 / $K)
3042 Barren Creek Barren Creek FSR Barrier Medium 2.3 SS-CBS 25 1700 68.0 156.4
3054 Johnny David Creek North road Barrier Medium 2.6 OBS 388 7500 19.3 50.3
3139 Trib to McQuarrie Creek North Road Barrier Medium 3.3 OBS 162 7300 45.1 148.7
58159 McDowell Creek Woodmere Nursery Road Barrier Medium 2.2 OBS 125 780 6.2 13.7
123445 Tyee Creek Highway 16 Barrier Medium 2.1 OBS 12500 6000 0.5 1.0
123446 Tyee Creek Tyee Lake Road Barrier Medium 8.5 OBS 1000 5500 5.5 46.8
123794 Tributary to Blunt Creek Blunt Creek FSR Barrier Medium 1.9 SS-CBS 25 525 21.0 39.9
123795 Tributary to Blunt Creek Blunt Creek FSR Barrier Medium 1.4 OBS 62 1300 21.0 29.4
124487 Porphyryr Creek Highway 16 Barrier High 10.7 OBS 15500 8000 0.5 5.5
124500 Helps Creek Lawson Road Barrier Medium 4.8 OBS 500 9000 18.0 86.4
124501 Moan Creek Lawson Road Barrier High 4.8 OBS 500 2800 5.6 26.9
124504 Coffin Creek Lawson Road Barrier High 5.8 OBS 500 4000 8.0 46.4
195288 Gibson Creek Schnider Road Barrier Medium 2.0 OBS 1000 4500 4.5 9.0
195290 Gibson Creek Highway 16 Barrier Medium 2.0 OBS 9500 1000 0.1 0.2
197360 Riddeck Creek Morice-Owen FSR Barrier High 3.3 OBS 125 1200 9.6 31.7
197640 Tributary to Buck Creek Buck Flats Road Barrier High 4.4 OBS 500 4200 8.4 37.0
197658 Byman Creek Highway 16 Barrier High 12.9 OBS 7550 6000 0.8 10.3
197662 Richfield Creek Highway 16 Barrier High 13.2 OBS 8250 2000 0.2 3.2
197663 Johnny David Creek Highway 16 Barrier High 6.6 OBS 5150 10000 1.9 12.8
197664 Barren Creek Highway 16 Passable High 7.2 – – 6200 – –
197665 Barren Creek CN Railway Passable High – – – 6400 – –
197667 Moan Creek CN Railway Barrier High 4.5 OBS 5000 3300 0.7 3.0
197668 Coffin Creek CN Railway Barrier High 5.3 OBS 5000 4000 0.8 4.2


Table 4.5: Summary of Phase 2 habitat confirmation details.
PSCIS ID Length surveyed upstream (m) Channel Width (m) Wetted Width (m) Pool Depth (m) Gradient (%) Total Cover Habitat Value
3042 400 2.3 2.2 0.2 3 moderate moderate
3054 725 2.6 2.1 0.3 5.3 moderate moderate
3139 625 3.3 2.7 0.4 7.2 abundant high
58159 440 2.2 1.8 0.4 2 abundant moderate
123445 540 2.1 1.6 – 0.5 moderate moderate
123446 100 8.5 7.5 0.8 0.2 abundant moderate
123794 525 1.9 1.6 0.2 9.6 moderate moderate
123795 650 1.4 1.3 0.3 7.2 abundant moderate
124487 540 10.7 9.9 0.3 4.8 moderate moderate
124500 1100 4.8 4.1 – 0.8 moderate moderate
124501 520 4.8 3.1 0.4 6.3 moderate high
124504 415 5.8 3.5 0.4 2.3 moderate high
195288 180 2 2 – 0 – moderate
195290 150 2 1.6 0.6 1.3 abundant moderate
197360 1200 3.3 1.8 0.4 2.7 moderate high
197640 535 4.4 2.2 0.3 2.5 moderate moderate
197658 1400 12.9 7.9 0.6 2.1 moderate high
197662 1200 13.2 9 0.8 2.1 moderate high
197663 690 6.6 4.4 0.4 3 moderate high
197664 800 7.2 4.7 3 3 moderate high
197665 100 – – – – – moderate
197667 100 4.5 – – – – high
197668 40 5.3 – – – – high


Boxplots of densities (fish/100m2) of fish captured by life stage and site for data collected during habitat confirmation assessments.

Figure 4.2: Boxplots of densities (fish/100m2) of fish captured by life stage and site for data collected during habitat confirmation assessments.


Summary of potential habitat upstream of habitat confirmation assessment sites estimated based on modelled channel width and upstream channel length.

Figure 4.3: Summary of potential habitat upstream of habitat confirmation assessment sites estimated based on modelled channel width and upstream channel length.