What has two fan-like fins, a big head, and the world’s cutest grumpy face? The Rocky Mountain Sculpin! These funky little fish are only about 10cm long, with mottled brown and black scales that let them blend in perfectly with the streambed. Perhaps because they are so elusive, they are also not formally described by scientists; they are still known by the generic scientific name “Cottus sp.”
Unfortunately, this unique little fish is also at risk. In Canada, Rocky Mountain Sculpin is a “Threatened” species, with their primary threats being habitat degradation, climate change, and habitat modifications due to dams and water management (in Alberta). Like most sculpin species, Rocky Mountain Sculpin prefers to stay in their favourite spot for much of their life. This sedentary lifestyle makes them more vulnerable to habitat changes, as they are unable to move away from any harmful changes to their homes.
As certified sculpin stans here at TUC, we had to give them a helping fin. In 2023, we launched a new project focused on protecting at-risk fish in the St. Mary River watershed: Conserving Our Threatened Teleosts in the Upper St. Mary, or “COTTUS” for short!
Rocky Mountain Sculpin is one of several at-risk fish species in the upper St. Mary River watershed; it is also home to threatened Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat Trout. As the upper St. Mary watershed is above the St. Mary reservoir, it is not impacted by water withdrawals or altered habitat and water quality conditions due to the reservoir. This makes it some of the most pristine fish habitat in the watershed, and all the more important for our threatened native fish species.
The COTTUS project kicked off in the summer of 2023, with TUC staff heading out to survey the fish populations in Lee Creek. While we did not capture any Bull Trout or Westslope Cutthroat Trout, we saw several trout in a large beaver pond, which was too deep for us to sample. The creek was also chock full of Rocky Mountain Sculpin, ranging in size from 20-90mm! In addition to these species, we also captured several Plains, White, and Longnose Suckers.
TUC also met with the grazing leaseholders from the Pole Haven Community Pasture and worked together to identify aquatic habitat issues in Lee Creek and Tough Creek within the lease. We then hired AJM Environmental to document any additional problems in the area and suggest rehabilitation actions to address these issues. 40 sites were assessed and rehabilitation plans.
What’s next for the COTTUS project?
We are currently parsing through the watershed assessment report to develop an action plan for 2024. We will be back in the watershed this year to do more fisheries sampling and begin some habitat rehabilitation activities within Pole Haven. We are also working on an outreach plan to raise awareness about the critters that live in the upper St. Mary River watershed, and what we can do to help safeguard their future.
Interested and want to help out? Keep an eye on our Eventbrite LINK HERE for upcoming volunteer workdays, and on our blog for project updates!
Thank you to the generous funders who supported the COTTUS project, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans through the federal Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk, Alberta Conservation Association’s Community, Education, and Conservation Grants, and the Minister’s Special License grant, administered by the Alberta Fish and Game Association. In‐kind support was also received from the Blackfoot Confederacy through their willingness to participate in sampling events and workdays, and Cows and Fish for assisting with project planning.
TUC is also grateful to the lease holders in the Pole Haven Community Pasture for their willingness to partner with us on this project, sharing local knowledge, and for their commitment to range and riparian health.
Please consider making a donation so we can keep doing this important work.
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