Fish Creek Bank Restoration June 2016

[jpinkster]

After months of planning and permitting, on April 23-24 the Bow River Chapter completed the Fish Creek riparian restoration project near Bridge 9 in Fish Creek Provincial Park (FCPP).

 

FCPP is Canada's largest urban park, covering 1350 Ha and stretching 19km from east to west. During the southern Alberta flood event of 2013, Bridge 9 in FCPP (along with a number of other bridges) was damaged. Both approaches to the bridge were washed out and the bridge itself was left pointing downstream instead of across Fish Creek. In addition, the streambank upstream of the bridge was left severely eroded, with additional damage likely during any future high water events. Last fall, the Chapter surveyed Fish Creek and identified the Bridge 9 area as a location where a large scale but low intensity (non-mechanised) restoration project was a possibility. Working with Alberta Parks and with the support of the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society, we developed a plan to conduct a major project.

 

This spring the bridge was repaired by Alberta Parks. It was raised substantially for flood-proofing, resulting in large embankments alongside the approaches on both sides of the creek. The chapter took on the task of revegetating the bridge approaches and surrounding riverbank, as well as sections of riverbank upstream of the bridge. Working in a provincial park required close cooperation with Alberta Parks staff, who assisted with preparation of detailed project plans and obtaining permits.

 

 

The first step of the project was a willow and poplar harvest. On April 9 an enthusiastic team of volunteers enjoyed a beautiful day of harvesting. Nearly 700 cuttings were collected and placed in a pond for storage until planting day. The Chapter received a generous donation of cuttings from the Friends of Fish Creek, with additional cuttings supplied by Grumpy's Landscaping in Pincher Creek. In fact, so many cuttings were donated that some were donated in turn to support other organisations working on riparian restoration projects throughout Alberta. On a cool, damp and slightly snowy April 23rd volunteers worked in the immediate area of Bridge 9. Using hammer drills and planting bars, poplar stakes were planted on all sides of the embankment alongside the bridge approaches. Willow stakes were planted on the lower, wetter sections of the embankments, and rooted stock and willow stakes were planted along the riverbank on both sides of the bridge.

 

April 24th was another cool day but the enthusiasm of the volunteers wasn't dampened. After completing a section of planting near the bridge the work moved upstream along a corner of the creek. Nearly 300 metres of riverbank were planted with willow cuttings while poplar cuttings were placed along the top of the riverbank. The willows were planted directly into the toe of the bank where they will help prevent erosion. The poplars will stabilize the top of the bank, and also have the benefit of forcing an informal walking and biking trail away from the edge.

 

 

The committee estimates a total of 5000 willow and poplar stakes were planted. Great job and thanks to all of our volunteers !
Members of the chapter are hoping for rain, but if conditions are dry, will ensure that all the planted areas are watered until well established. The spring so far has been so dry that our permit to draw water from the creek has been suspended, resulting in the creation of an improvised watering rig in the back of a half ton, with 1000 litres capacity.

 

The final photo in this collection shows some very encouraging early signs that our project was successful!

 

 

The Chapter would like to thank our fantastic team of volunteers for their hard work, Trout Unlimited Canada for supplying equipment and skilled labour, Alberta Parks for eagerness to support our project and Friends of Fish Creek for equipment and cuttings.

 

One interesting side note - the Chapter has been running another project in Fish Creek Park this spring, conducting a survey of rainbow trout spawning. The results have amazed us, with more than 350 redds identified in the Park and many, many very large trout observed. Preserving and enhancing the riparian habitat of FCPP is clearly a worthwhile endeavour.

[jasonvilly]

Excellent work TUC

[bcubed]

Excellent work TUC

 

TU-Bow River Chapter, with help from TUC

 

Just want people to know that BRC is not a dead chapter, as sometimes thought

[johnbransfield]

Way to go guys! Would love to help once fall planting season swings around if any other projects need an extra set of hands.