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Whistler waterways get top marks

Stream quality good, although more work is needed Whistler’s network of creeks, rivers and other waterways got a passing grade from the Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Group, as the organization put together data assembled by volunteers monitorin

Stream quality good, although more work is needed

Whistler’s network of creeks, rivers and other waterways got a passing grade from the Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Group, as the organization put together data assembled by volunteers monitoring water quality.

"The water quality is really pretty good," said Tobin Seagel, volunteer co-ordinator for the WFSG. "We’ve never been able to monitor as many creeks as we have this year, but because of the great volunteer turnout we’re getting a pretty good picture of what’s happening in the valley."

The recent flooding events had a significant short-term impact on the water quality, although less than expected, said Seagel. The flooding may have also had an impact on spawning as the rushing water likely washed away some of the gravel beds that protected rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon eggs.

Both species also spawn in lakeshore areas, which weren’t as affected by the flooding, and it could take years to discover what the event will mean for local fish populations.

The hot summer and a relatively dry winter also might impact on fish populations, said Seagel, which will make it harder to pin any population changes on the flood.

Still, Seagel sees the flooding as a natural, if unusual, event that most creeks handled quite well, and he is confident that fish habitat will bounce back.

"In the long run, we might actually see that the flood had a beneficial effect on the rivers because it re-deposited logs and other features in the water, and pulled in nutrients. The more diverse a river is, the better it is for the fish," said Seagel.

Prior to the flooding, volunteers monitoring rivers counted an average run of trout and a lower than average run of salmon.

Because the program to reintroduce salmon in the area is only four years old and fish counts only began in 2001, a lower than expected salmon run is no reason to worry, said Seagel – it could take a decade or more before runs become regular and the WFSG has enough baseline data collected to make comparisons.

Seagel credits a strong core of 22 volunteers checking water quality and counting fish for the success of this year’s study. "Because of the support we were able to look at more rivers and collect more data," said Seagel.

The data will be used to determine where in-stream and edge-of- water projects may be needed in the future to improve fish habitat.

The volunteers measured water temperature, dissolved oxygen, acidity and turbidity (clarity) on different waterways to come up with an overall water quality index number for each water.

Each measurement can tell the WFSG something about the overall health of the waterway. For example, if the water temperature is too warm, developments upstream may have removed the natural cover over feeder creeks, and some steps may need to be taken to return vegetation to those areas. If the water has high turbidity and is overly rich in sediments, more work may be needed to prevent dirt runoff and soil erosion along the waterway.

Developments around town often contribute to turbidity as construction is underway, but Seagel says developers are working harder than ever to keep dirt out of the waterways by leaving proper setbacks, incorporating better landscape designs, and taking steps to curb erosion surrounding a property. Planting grass along roadsides – such as the green mat visible along the new section of Valley Trail linking Creekside to Bayshores – is one example of how construction companies are taking erosion seriously.

According to the water quality index, water quality was good in Whistler Creek, Jordan Creek, Fitzsimmons Creek, Horstman Creek, Lakeside Creek, 19-Mile Creek, 21-Mile Creek, Write-off Creek, Scotia Creek and Blackcomb Creek. Water quality was marginal in the 21-Mile Wetland and White Gold Wetland, which Seagel said was to be expected as a result of natural wetland processes. Rideau Brook received an acceptable rating.

The WFSG will continue to monitor these waterways, said Seagel, and watch for any changes.

"The goal is to continue to provide the optimal conditions for trout and salmonids, and that’s always going to be a work in progress because the rivers are always changing," he said.

Getting the community more involved is also a priority, as people can make a difference at home by looking at the runoff from their own properties.

"After the flooding people were calling Green Lake ‘brown lake’," Seagel said.

Local creeks didn’t flood as much as many expected, and handled the quantity of water quite well. As a result, Seagel believes that a lot of the sediment to find its way to Green Lake was washed down from homes, developments and construction sites.

Some of the WFSG’s suggestions to reduce harmful water runoff around your property include:

• Keeping litter, pet waste, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains, as these drain directly to lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands;

• Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and according to directions;

• Dispose of used oil, antifreeze, paints and other household chemicals properly, not in storm sewers or drains;

• Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the streets where they can reach local streams and lakes.

• Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover and stabilizing erosion-prone areas. Plant indigenous species.

• Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphorous to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and coastal waters.

"Everything winds up in the water eventually," said Seagel. "For Whistler, it’s being a good neighbour because everything we put in our sewage winds up in Squamish, and everything in our lakes winds up in the ocean."