A successful effort by a local conservation group in Prince George, B.C., has put an end to fish being stranded and perishing in isolated pools at Cottonwood Island Park during low water periods. The group reconnected a small side channel of the Nechako River that used to dry up, providing a crucial refuge and spawning habitat for various fish species.
Previously, when the water levels dropped, the side channel would drain, leaving fish trapped in the sediments or vulnerable to predators. Recognizing the dire situation, Jesi Lauzon, the operations co-ordinator for the Spruce City Wildlife Association, led the restoration project that culminated in the permanent reconnection of the channel to the Nechako River in early December.
Lauzon, who has been dedicated to the project for over five years, was initially motivated by an incident involving her basset hound Daisy getting into muck at the drained channel. This event, coupled with her background as a fisheries biology student at the University of Northern B.C., sparked her interest in conserving aquatic ecosystems and led to the project’s inception.
With support from the local non-profit Spruce City Wildlife Association, Lauzon meticulously monitored the channel for two years, gathering data that demonstrated the channel was not a safe winter haven for salmon. Volunteers assisted by setting traps and relocating salmon caught within the channel to safer areas while the restoration efforts progressed.
Now that the channel is reconnected, Lauzon eagerly anticipates observing the changes in fish and wildlife species utilizing the area. The collaborative project also received assistance from various community organizations, including the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s fisheries team, who contributed by planting willow trees to fortify the channel banks and enhance wildlife habitats.
The restoration project, which saw widespread community involvement and support, marks a significant achievement in preserving local ecosystems and wildlife. Lauzon expressed gratitude for the collective effort that made the project a reality, emphasizing that such a feat would not have been possible without the collaboration of numerous individuals and organizations.
