Structure Prioritization

Field Assessment Ranking Process

A primary outcome of the WCRP will be the rehabilitation of barriers to connectivity in the Bulkley River Watershed. To achieve the goals in this plan, it is necessary to identify a set of structures that, if rehabilitated, will provide access to a minimum of 115.2 km of spawning habitat and 223.15 km of rearing habitat (Table 1):

Table 1: Spawning and rearing habitat connectivity gain requirements to meet WCRP goals in the Bulkley River watershed. The measures of currently accessible and total habitat values are derived from the Intrinsic Potential habitat model described in Appendix B.
Habitat Type Currently accessible (km) Total Current Connectivity Status Goal Gain required (km)
Spawning 1152.57 1334.5 86% 95% 115.2
Rearing 1543.87 2208.78 70% 80% 223.15

After all existing data and knowledge are collated for known and modelled crossings, an iterative ranking process is conducted to identify barriers for rehabilitation to meet the WCRP goals. The ranking process is primarily used to guide field assessments and maximize efficiency in ground truthing data inputs and model outputs, while providing a secondary purpose to evaluate the relative key habitat gains of confirmed barriers in the watershed. This process, combined with input from local knowledge holders and experts, is used to develop field plans for assessing structures that have the potential to block the most key habitat in the watershed. Field assessments are based on the BC Fish Passage Strategic Approach and can include a barrier assessment (i.e., evaluating passability of the structure), a habitat confirmation (i.e., evaluation of whether the upstream habitat is suitable for the focal species and whether there are other undocumented anthropogenic or natural barriers upstream or downstream), or a detailed habitat investigation (e.g., a fish passage study or further in-depth analysis of habitat features in a waterbody).

The ranking process accounts for the long-term and immediate habitat gains potentially offered by each structure to improve key habitat connectivity in the watershed. All structures in the watershed (excluding those confirmed as passable) are ranked in each iteration of the ranking process. Details of the ranking process used to guide field assessments can be found in Appendix B.

Structure Prioritization Results

Following field assessments, structures are placed on one of five possible lists:

  1. Priority barriers list – the structure is confirmed as a full or partial barrier, has key habitat confirmed to exist upstream, and is considered actionable by the planning team (i.e., action items will be identified to advance rehabilitation of the structure). Depending on the barrier, owner, financial constraints, and quality of upstream habitat, the action may be to leave to end of life cycle before reviewing again, remove and decommission the road, replace with a new passable structure, or modify to temporarily restore connectivity (e.g., fish ladder or baffles installed; see Table 2).

  2. Assessed structures that remain data deficient list – some form of field assessment has been completed on the structure, but further investigation is required to confirm either the passability status or presence/suitability of upstream habitat (see Table 3).

  3. Rehabilitated barriers list – priority barriers that have been addressed either through removal, replacement, or temporary fish passage improvement projects (see Table 4).

  4. Non-actionable barriers list – the structure is confirmed to be a barrier to fish passage and have some amount/quality of habitat upstream, but the planning team will not identify actions to advance rehabilitation of the structure because of logistic considerations (e.g., financial costs), short habitat gain, or the upstream habitat is of poor quality or unsuitable in its present condition to support key life stages of the focal species (Appendix C).

  5. Excluded structures list – the structure is excluded from further consideration in subsequent ranking and work planning because the structure is confirmed to be passable, not present, or there is no key habitat upstream (Appendix C).

Table 2:

Confirmed barriers

Barrier Id

Modelled Crossing Id

Watercourse Name

Road Name

Structure Type

Partial Passability

Structure Owner

Num Barriers Set

Total Hab Gain Set

Upstream Habitat Quality

Estimated Cost $

Next Steps

Reason

Notes

Supporting Links

197662

1800060

Richfield Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

No

MOTI

1

46.29

High

12375000

Engage with barrier owner

High quality habitat with high potential habitat gains

Major barrier, some flooding issues upstream also needs addressing. Aim for completion in next 5-10 years.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197662---richfield-creek.html

197658

1800062

Byman Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

MOTI

1

29.19

High

2000000

Commission engineering designs

Culvert at end of life cycle and needs replacing.

Stream needs work downstream to prevent dewatering. DFO pursuing options with MOTI. Passable to most salmon and life stages but velocity barrier at high flows and may be too shallow for adults at low flows.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197658---byman-creek.html

57944

1800167

Toboggan Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

MOTI

1

23.06

Medium

15000000

Leave until end of lifecycle

Past backwatering work conducted. Pink Salmon present at fences upstream.

High quality habitat with moderate cover. Monitor for continued passage functionality; aim for replacement at end of culvert life.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/toboggan-creek---57944---appendix.html

197975

1801122

Ailport Creek

Private

Stream crossing - CBS

No

Private

2

19.23

Medium

500000

Engage with barrier owner

Abundant fish present, non-highway barrier

Initial contact with landowner seemed open to replacement; however, landowner became unresponsive in 2021. Continue to work with landowner for potential solution

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/ailport-creek---197976-197975---appendix.html

198049

1800193

Cesford Creek

Highway 118

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

MOTI

3

16.41

High

2000000

Engage with barrier owner

Need to determine status of CN Rail crossing downstream before proceeding to design

Fish observed in outlet pool

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/cesford-creek---198048-198049---appendix.html

197960

24704566

Corya Creek

Railway

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

CN Rail

1

12.34

Medium

5000000

Engage with partners

Discuss deferring to end of life cycle

Large culvert. Dolly Varden captured upstream and downstream. High quality habitat but glaciated and unlikely to support salmon.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/corya-creek---197960---appendix.html

124500

1800175

Helps Creek

Lawson Road

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

MOTI

1

9.98

Medium

500000

Commission engineering designs

Relatively easy fix for a MOTI road

Preliminary designs complete, require internal review by MOTI to finalize. Passable to most adult fish but may be a low flow barrier. Passability for juvenile fish unknown.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---124500---helps-creek.html

123446

1800285

Tyhee Creek

Tyhee Lake Road

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

MOTI

2

8.34

Medium

650000

Leave until end of lifecycle

Scores as barrier but likely passable to most fish species and life stages. Channel has become heavily ingrown with canary reedgrass and needs restoration before addressing this crossing. Reassess once downstream crossing and habitat issues have been addresesd

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---123445-123446---tyhee-creek.html

123445

1800114

Tyhee Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

MOTI

2

8.34

Medium

1200000

Commission engineering designs

Important connector to Tyhee Lake

Preliminary designs complete and include habitat restoration compoents. Designs require internal review by MOTI to finalize

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---123445-123446---tyhee-creek.html

197640

1800092

Tributary to Buck Creek

Buck Flats FSR

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

MOTI

1

6.15

Medium

500000

Commission engineering designs

Relatively easy fix for a MOTI road

Preliminary designs complete, require internal review by MOTI to finalize.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197640---tributary-to-buck-creek.html

124420

1803403

Station Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

No

MOTI

1

5.99

High

21000000

Engage with barrier owner

Very important salmon stream historically for Hagwilget. Legacy barrier has resulted in major salmon declines in watershed

Several preliminary designs completed but no political will to move this project forward from MOTI's side

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/station-creek---124420-124421-124422---appendix.html

124487

1800383

Porphyry Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

No

MOTI

1

5.71

Medium

2000000

Rehabilitation

Complete barrier to fish passage

Scheduled for replacement by MOTI in next 2-3 years

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---124487---porphyryr-creek.html

58151

1802775

McDowell Creek

Woodmere Road

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

MOTI

5

4.89

Low

500000

Engage with partners

Low quality habitat. Consider deferring to end of life cycle

Water over allocation issues in stream, signs of sedimentation from adjacent land uses. Dewatered at time of survey

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/mcdowell-creek---123544-58151---appendix.html

123544

1801300

McDowell Creek

Unnamed

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

Private

5

4.89

Low

20000

Engage with partners

Low quality habitat and dry stream for most of the year. Recommend as non-actionable

Poorly constructed/maintained road with rip rap directly obstructing culvert.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/mcdowell-creek---123544-58151---appendix.html

195290

1800099

Gibson Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

No

MOTI

2

4.52

Medium

1000000

Engage with barrier owner

Likely a full barrier to passage. Good habitat upstream, Coho captured downstream but not upstream.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---195290-195288---gibson-creek.html

195288

1800098

Gibson Creek

Schnider Road

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

2

4.52

Medium

500000

Engage with barrier owner

Considered important migration corridor with moderate juvenile rearing potential

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---195290-195288---gibson-creek.html

197664

1800076

Barrren Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

MOTI

1

3.71

High

1500000

Engage with barrier owner

Very high quality habitat, current culvert affected by regular dredging and sediment buildup

Preliminary design was completed 2020 but no timeline for finalizing and completing upgrades

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197665-197664-3042---barren-creek.html

58067

1803245

Gramophone Creek

Telkwa High Road

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

MOTI

1

3.43

High

750000

Commission engineering designs

Canyon downstream acts as low flow barrier for steelhead and full barrier to Coho. Locally important to Witset and as a steelhead stream.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/gramophone-creek---58067---appendix.html

198066

1802488

Thompson Creek

Unnamed

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

Private

1

2.38

High

150000

Engage with partners

Passable to all life stages and species but may be slight barrier during high flows. Recommend as non-actionable.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/thompson-creek---198066-123377-123375---appendix.html

123377

1800404

Thompson Creek

Walcott Road

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

MOTI

1

1.71

High

750000

Commission engineering designs

MOTI already designing new structure

Preliminary designs completed but under review for improved design by MOTI

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/thompson-creek---198066-123377-123375---appendix.html

195943

1800025

Stock Creek

Barrett Station Road

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

MOTI

1

0.74

Medium

1500000

Engage with partners

Important migration corridor with suitable spawning habitat and moderate rearing potential.

recommend advancing to priority barriers list.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/stock-creek---195943-195944---appendix.html

124421

1800036

Trib to Waterfall Creek

11th Avenue

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

City of New Hazelton

Medium

400000

Engage with partners

"low hanging fruit" upstream of hgihway

Slow moving almost wetland like stream. Deep glides throughout. Moderate to high stagnant water often smelling of sulfur. Lots of healthy riparian veeg. Apperas to have v. unstable flows.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/station-creek---124420-124421-124422---appendix.html

124422

1800132

Tributary to Waterfall Creek

Highway 16 (10th Ave)

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

MOTI

Medium

17000000

Engage with partners

100% backwatered and likely passable to most fish species and life stages

Recommend leaving until end of life cycle, potentially move timeline up as part of larger subwatershed restoration campaign.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/results-and-discussion.html

195944

1800255

Stock Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

MOTI

Medium

6000000

Engage with partners

Perched culvert under deep fill. Medium quality habitat. Recommend as non-actionable

Heavily trampled by cattle. Suitable overwintering and rearing habitat with occasional spawning habitat. 0.65 m rock drop 365 m upstream likely barrier for juveniles but not adults. Dogwood Enviro Consultants looking at ways to exclude cattle from riparian. Some low flow issues. Historic sightings of adult Coho and Steelhead between 195943 and here. No modeled key habitat upstream

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/stock-creek---195943-195944---appendix.html

197665

24740019

Barren Creek

Railway

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

CN Rail

Medium

5000000

Engage with barrier owner

Culvert at end of life and needs replacing. Very high quality habitat.

Preliminary designs complete but don't meet CN standards. Further conversations with CN required. Cost of replacement will depend on preferred structure/solution

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197665-197664-3042---barren-creek.html

198112

1805507

Stock Creek

Railway

Stream crossing - CBS

CN Rail

Passable. Fully backwatered and embedded concrete box.

198115

Tributary to Waterfall Creek

13th Avenue

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

City of New Hazelton

High

650000

Engage in public consultation

Abundant juveniles observed upstream

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/waterfall-creek---198116-198117-198115---appendix.html

198116

Tributary to Waterfall Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

MOTI

High

7500000

Engage in public consultation

Currently passable to adult fish but could be barrier to some juveniles. Conditions could degrade over time.

Excellent habitat up to impassable falls.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/waterfall-creek---198116-198117-198115---appendix.html

198117

Tributary to Waterfall Creek

9th Avenue

Stream crossing - CBS

Yes

City of New Hazelton

High

650000

Engage in public consultation

Barrier to fish passage. Currently a double culvert with blockages in one culvert.

Coho spotted upstream

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/waterfall-creek---198116-198117-198115---appendix.html

Table 3:

Assessed structures that remain data deficient

Barrier Id

Modelled Crossing Id

Watercourse Name

Road Name

Structure Type

Structure Owner

Barrier Status

Partial Passability

Assessment Type Completed

Total Hab Gain Set

Num Barriers Set

Next Steps

Notes

Supporting Links

123770

1800045

John Brown Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

POTENTIAL

Yes

Habitat confirmation

30.14

2

In-depth passage assessment (data deficient structures only)

Very large system. Some baffles in culvert. Somewhat steep gradients downstream of crossing.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/john-brown-creek---123770---appendix.html

197668

1805608

Coffin Creek

Railway

Stream crossing - CBS

CN Rail

BARRIER

Yes

Habitat confirmation

29.91

4

In-depth passage assessment (data deficient structures only)

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197668-124504---coffin-creek.html

1f365462-063c-491e-9fb3-bfac004d9183

Coffin Creek

n/a

Dam

Ducks Unlimited Canada

BARRIER

Barrier assessment

29.91

4

Habitat confirmation (data deficient structures only)

Formerly dam no. 1100001493

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/results-and-discussion.html

124504

1803401

Coffin Creek

Lawson Road

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

BARRIER

Yes

Habitat confirmation

29.91

4

In-depth passage assessment (data deficient structures only)

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197668-124504---coffin-creek.html#

197976

1800355

Ailport Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

POTENTIAL

Yes

Habitat confirmation

19.23

2

In-depth passage assessment (data deficient structures only)

Monitor during migration to determine extent of barrier. Juvenile-sized fish observed swimming through crossing (~140mm)

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/ailport-creek---197976-197975---appendix.html#

197663

1800213

Johnny David Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

POTENTIAL

Yes

Habitat confirmation

18.32

1

In-depth habitat investigation (data deficient structures only)

Look at open bottom replacement as long term fix

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197663-3054---johnny-david-creek.html

198048

1800048

Cesford Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

BARRIER

Unknown

Habitat confirmation

16.41

3

In-depth passage assessment (data deficient structures only)

Two culverts

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/cesford-creek---198048-198049---appendix.html

197974

1800356

Watson Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

BARRIER

No

Habitat confirmation

14.10

4

In-depth habitat investigation (data deficient structures only)

Upgraded from low quality habitat during barrier assessment to medium during habitat confirmation, with improved flows.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/watson-creek---197974---appendix.html

198065

1800191

Watson Creek

Montgomery Road

Stream crossing - CBS

Unknown

BARRIER

Barrier assessment

14.10

4

Habitat confirmation (data deficient structures only)

Abundant gravels and excellent vegetation cover.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/appendix---phase-1-fish-passage-assessment-data-and-photos.html

197653

1800068

Perow Creek

Perow Loop Road

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

BARRIER

Unknown

Habitat confirmation

7.39

1

In-depth habitat investigation (data deficient structures only)

Sample for fish, determine passability. Partially embedded but perched. Could be a good candidate for backwatering ($20K).

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/perow-creek---197653---appendix.html

123426

1800106

Robin Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

POTENTIAL

Barrier assessment

7.32

2

Engage with partners

123392

1800104

Lemieux Creek

Quick School Road

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

POTENTIAL

Barrier assessment

7.23

2

Engage with partners

Recommend adding to excluded structures list

123393

1800265

Lemieux Creek

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

BARRIER

Barrier assessment

7.23

2

Engage with partners

Recommend adding to excluded structures list. Or confirmed barrier end of life cycle?

57793

1800406

Vallee Creek

Walcott Road

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

BARRIER

Unknown

Habitat confirmation

5.59

1

In-depth passage assessment (data deficient structures only)

Excellent habitat quality with suitable spawning habitat and moderate rearing potential

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/vallee-creek---57793---appendix.html

58242

1802965

Kathlyn Creek

Hihgway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

BARRIER

Barrier assessment

4.47

1

Habitat confirmation (data deficient structures only)

Steelhead and Coho historically observed upstream.

https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/pscismap/imageViewer.do?assessmentId=58282

3054

1803558

Johnny David Creek

North Road FSR

Stream crossing - CBS

Canfor/Cody Creek Contracting

BARRIER

Unknown

Habitat confirmation

4.04

2

Engage with partners

Impassable falls downstream likely

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197663-3054---johnny-david-creek.html

198044

1805573

Tributary to Toboggan Creek

Railway

Stream crossing - CBS

CN Rail

BARRIER

No

Barrier assessment

1.85

3

Engage with barrier owner

Stream upstream of railway appears to be ephemeral and follows ditch a short ways before dissipating into shrubs.

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/appendix---phase-1-fish-passage-assessment-data-and-photos.html#

197667

1805606

Tributary to Bulkley River

Railway

Stream crossing - CBS

CN Rail

BARRIER

Unknown

Habitat confirmation

1.24

2

Engage with partners

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197667-124501---moan-creek.html

124501

1802796

Tributary to Bulkley River

Lawson Road

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

BARRIER

Yes

Habitat confirmation

1.24

2

Engage with partners

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---197667-124501---moan-creek.html

123775

1800161

Tributary to Corya Creek (Witset Cr)

Highway 16

Stream crossing - CBS

MOTI

POTENTIAL

Habitat confirmation

1.21

1

Engage with partners

Discuss with partners potential for BDA work

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/corya-creek---197960---appendix.html

197907

1803686

Tributary to Maxan Creek

Maxan Creek FSR

Stream crossing - CBS

FLNRO

BARRIER

Unknown

Barrier assessment

0.22

1

Engage with partners

Recommend as non-actionable

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/appendix---phase-1-fish-passage-assessment-data-and-photos.html#

124424

1805487

Trib to Waterfall Creek

Railway

Stream crossing - CBS

CN Rail

BARRIER

Yes

Barrier assessment

Barrier assessment (data deficient structures only)

Fully backwatered and unlikely to present barrier to most fish species and life stages

http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/pscismap/imageViewer.do?assessmentId=124604

198090

24742368

Cesford Creek

Railway

Other

CN Rail

BARRIER

Unknown

Informal assessment

Engage with barrier owner

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/cesford-creek---198048-198049---appendix.html

Table 4:

Rehabilitated Structures

Barrier Id

Modelled Crossing Id

Watercourse Name

Road Name

Type Of Rehabilitation

Rehabilitated By

Rehabilitated Date

Total Hab Gain Set

Actual Project Cost $

Next Steps

Notes

Supporting Links

197967

1800050

Taman Ceek

Highway 16

14.46

Post-rehabilitation monitoring

58158

1800275

McDowell Creek

Highway 16

4.89

Post-rehabilitation monitoring

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---58159---mcdowell-creek.html

58159

1802236

McDowell Creek

Unnamed

Replacement - OBS

CWF/Woodmere Nursery

2023-01-01

4.89

75700

N/A - project complete (rehabilitated structures only)

https://www.newgraphenvironment.com/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/appendix---58159---mcdowell-creek.html

197912

1802106

Robert Hatch Creek

Unnamed

Removal/decommissioned

CWF/DFO

2022-01-01

7500

Post-rehabilitation monitoring

https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/downloads/pdf/2021-2022-Projects-Technical-Briefing.pdf