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FISH HABITAT
MOSQUITO CREEK
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Mosquito Creek historically supported good populations of Coho, Chum and Pink salmon, Steelhead and Cutthroat trout.
Urban development in the watershed severely altered the creek and its water flow through channelization, culvert construction and storm water concentration.
Although wild salmon and trout still spawn and rear in Mosquito Creek, the survival rates tend to be low because suitable habitat in the main stream is very limited and vulnerable to degradation.
In 1995, two areas along Mosquito Creek were identified as suitable restoration sites. One was a small tributary in William Griffin Park and the other was a historic side channel in the natural second growth forest adjacent to Mosquito Creek Park.
The first, Griffin Channel, was constructed in the summer of 1998 and the second, Fell Channel, in the summer of 1999.
- Salmon Habitat Restoration Project - Fell Channel ---- side channel
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Habitat Enhancement Branch & City of North Vancouver
1999
Voluntary
At the request of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Mosquito Creek Stewardship Society, the City of North Vancouver's city council approved the construction of a creek-side channel on forested city-owned land next to Mosquito Creek Park. In September 1999, Council also rezoned the site to park land, making it part of Mosquito Creek Park.
The new channel, completed in October 1999, provides refuge for trout and salmon away from the fast flowing main stream, which has lost much of its habitat supporting characteristics due to various flood protection changes over the years. In addition to contributing the land, the City supports the project financially and on an ongoing basis through special park maintenance standards.
The Fell Channel is based on the design of the Griffin Channel and other successful projects around the Lower Mainland. Water flows through a buried pipeline from an intake located upstream in Mosquito Creek to a series of ponds and channels that provide high quality spawning and rearing habitat. The water flows through the project area and back into the main stream, providing fish access at the downstream end.
The existing footpath has been realigned in order to protect ecologically sensitive zones and ensure safety.
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- Salmon Habitat Restoration Project - Griffin Channel ---- tributary
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Habitat Enhancement Branch & District of North Vancouver
1998
Voluntary
At the request of North Shore Streamkeepers, the District of North Vancouver's municipal council approved the construction of a new channel in William Griffin Park. It was constructed in the summer of 1998. Within weeks of the first water flows, coho salmon were spawning in the channel. Public support has been extremely good.
Mosquito Creek exists in an urban setting. The stream corridor provides habitat critical to local wildlife and, at the same time, offers people a "wilderness" experience.
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- Salmon Habitat Enhancement Project - West Bank ---- back channel
City of North Vancouver
1997
Mitigation
Water flows in Mosquito Creek rise and fall dramatically and there are few suitable rest areas for fish. In 1997, a shallow back channel was lengthened and deepened to create a habitat pool. The surrounding area was planted with native plants.
This channel is part of a mitigation project, constructed as compensation for salmonid habitat permanently altered by the Low Level Bridge construction in 1997. Ongoing monitoring is a requirement for these types of projects for a period of time (usually 5 years). Fish populations in the back channel were checked quarterly and recorded until year end of 2002.
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- Salmon Habitat Enhancement Project - East Bank ---- back channel
City of North Vancouver
1997
Mitigation
In 1997, the back channel which was constructed in 1996 was lengthened. The surrounding area was planted with native plants.
The channel is part of a mitigation project, constructed as compensation for salmonid habitat permanently altered by construction of the martial arts building next to the creek in 1997. Ongoing monitoring is a requirement.
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- Salmon Habitat Enhancement Project - East Bank ---- back channel
Province of BC - Ministry of Transportation and Highways
1996
Mitigation
In 1996, a small back channel was lengthened and deepened to create a habitat pool. The pool slopes were planted.
The channel is part of a mitigation project, constructed as compensation for salmonid habitat permanently altered by widening the Mosquito Creek Bridge in 1995. Fish populations in the back channel were checked quarterly and recorded until the end of 2002.
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