Mosquito Creek Watershed
Home
Who to Call
Schools
How to Help
Events
Fish & Wildlife
Trails
History
Watershed Profile
Assessment
Restoration
Fish & Wildlife
Spawner Survey 2005
Spawner Survey 2004
Spawner Survey 2003
Spawner Survey 2002
Spawner Survey 2001
Spawner Survey 2000
Spawner Survey 1999
Spawner Survey 1998
Spawner Survey 1997
Spawner Survey 1996
Spawner Survey 1995

SALMON SPAWNER SURVEYS

Annual Spawner Surveys began in 1995.
Originally, the designated survey areas covered only a small section of Mosquito Creek and Thain Creek. However, those areas included important habitat and access routes, which could provide a good sample of fish presence from year to year.
The same areas were surveyed from 1995 through 1999.
In 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2003, newly constructed restoration projects allowed salmon access to more habitat, and the survey areas were adjusted accordingly.

Adult spawners and redds are counted. Other fish are not included in the count.
Random spawner sightings are recorded but not included in the survey total.
Fell Channel and Griffin Channel are also monitored during spawning season.

See ASSESSMENT for Fish Count projects.
Coho - Marine and Spawning Phases
Illustration Courtesy of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

HABITAT RESTORATION
Spawning options for salmon changed in 1998, when the Griffin Channel was constructed. New additional habitat was suddenly available, and two pairs of Coho spawned there that year. The following year, 1999, three pairs of Coho spawned at Griffin.
In 1999, the Thain Creek culvert was daylighted, allowing salmon and steelhead access to another 300 meters of stream.
In 1999-2000, the Fell Channel was constructed, providing more new spawning and rearing habitat.
In 2003, fish baffles and a ladder were added to the Queens culvert, allowing salmon access to more habitat upstream.

From a fish viewpoint this was great. From a survey viewpoint, this resulted in more places for salmon to be, outside of the survey zone.
Short-term, there will probably be fewer spawners in the survey zone, as they spread out to take advantage of new habitat. Long-term, as populations increase, there should be more.