Ladner Creek Side Channel Restoration Project Phase 1

Phase one of the Ladner Creek side channel restoration project was developed from prescriptions completed by BCCF biologists and engineers in 2007 with funding from the Fraser Salmon Watershed Program.  The Coquihalla River is one of only two Fraser Valley river systems that are home to native summer run steelhead.  Past and present anthropogenic impacts such as railway/highway construction, gas pipeline development, and upper watershed logging have impounded and confined the Coquihalla River and its tributaries.  This human-created impoundment (highway and pipeline diking protection) of the Ladner Creek and the Coquihalla River flood plain has lead to the drastic reduction in stable spawning and rearing side channel habitat; a vital component to stream rearing salmonids..  The scope of this project revolved around the development of stable side channel habitat on Ladner Creek.  Ladner Creek is a tributary of the Coquihalla River located approximately 30 km northeast of Hope BC.  The side channel project is located approximately 1.5 km from the confluence of Ladner Creek and the Coquihalla River.  The main objectives included: the construction of a semi-natural cut intake that allows for year round water flow; excavation of a 320m length channel (following alignment of a remnant flood channel); and habitat complexing recommendations within the channel to be implemented in phase two (2009).  In 2008, the 320m length of side channel was constructed.  Late summer, fall, and late fall assessments of flow conditions were completed and found that the channel flow was sufficient.  Habitat complexing recommendations were completed on the 320m channel, the recommendations are proposed to be completed in the summer of 2009 as the second phase of the project.