(Submitted Photo)
Douglas Lake Ranch (DLR) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) have partnered on a project to bypass a weir so that salmon have access to 18 additional kilometres of habitat on the Nicola River.
The weir was put in place in the 1970s to divert irrigation for the ranch’s hay operation. However, it is a six-foot high concrete wall, which blocks access to fish — particularly Kokanee salmon.
Ranch manager Joe Gardner said 10 years ago he began to work towards a solution, and met with the DFO to look at options.
The BCCF (British Columbia Conservation Foundation) wrote a proposal for a funding grant through the DFO’s Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, and a design was drawn up.
The result is a new bypass, put in 100 yards upstream of the weir, that allows fish to move around the otherwise impassable concrete wall.
“We were in favour of the fish being able to get by, so we all worked together and damned if we didn’t get the job done,” Gardner told the Herald. “It’s kind of a win-win situation — we actually co-operated and got something done.”
“I think the largest single benefactor here will be the Kokanee. They’ll be able to get another 18 km of river to frolic in.” —Joe Gardner, Douglas Lake Ranch manager
DFO restoration senior engineer and biologist Sarah Ostoforof provided in kind engineering, design and biologist assistance through the design and construction of the project, Mike Wallis of BCCF was the lead contractor, and the DLR provided labour, an excavator, a front-end loader and a rock truck to assist in construction, as well as gravel from their private pit.
The Upper Nicola Band were supporters of the project, and attended the opening ceremony last month.
“I think the largest single benefactor here will be the Kokanee,” said Gardner. “They’ll be able to get another 18 km of river to frolic in.”
He added that the ranch works regularly with the DFO on other smaller restoration and improvement projects, like fencing to keep cattle away from the river, and putting in rocks to keep erosion down — important in keeping silt from filling spawning grounds.
