Stoney Creek - KP 2+900 (2015)
This site is at a private road crossing near the L&M Lumber property within the District of Vanderhoof boundary. The three culverts at the crossing were obstructing the ability for fish to swim upstream because of excessive erosion of the stream banks and high sedimentation in the channel. The stream channel was filled in with sand and silt, making the stream wide and shallow. Material has been deposited at this site and along the entire stream from poor land practices. The land practices along Goldie Creek have also had an influence on Stoney Creek.
Restoration work removed sediment from the channel, added armouring to the stream banks to reduce future erosion and added fish habitat to the stream. Upstream of the culverts was dredged to create the channel again. Rip-rap (large substrate) and anchored logs were added to the new banks to reduce the risk of erosion and in filling of the stream channel again. A weir was built across the channel to help control stream flow. The culverts were removed to allow fish to move freely up and downstream.
During the summer of 2015, the first summer after the project was completed, a beaver established a dam across Stoney Creek just downstream of the bridge crossing. The influence of the beaver dam has held back water well upstream of the bridge. Click here to view some useful resources regarding beaver dam management.
PHOTO GALLERY
Stoney Creek - KP900
