Restoration Begins Along Alberta’s Rocky Creek

Young watershed stewards preparing willow stakes in the deep snow.

Restoration Begins Along Alberta’s Rocky Creek.

Spring is a busy time for Trout Unlimited Canada. It marks the beginning of riparian or shoreline restoration work for the year.

This year’s restoration work season kicked off with willow harvesting for Alberta’s Rocky Creek. Rocky Creek is a tributary to the Clearwater River and is home to bull trout amongst other native species. Extensive off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in and around Rocky Creek has altered the riparian habitat diverting, in some locations, water flow from the natural channel into the OHV trail increasing erosion and sedimentation in the steam. These human-caused disturbances can cause trouble for trout. Increased sediments in streams change the river bottom and can make it unsuitable for aquatic invertebrates and algae – important fish food sources.

In March, TUC in partnership with Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) hosted a volunteer workday at Stainbrook Springs to harvest willow stakes. Stainbrook Springs is a conservation property 32 km southeast of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and is co-owned by TUC, ACA and Alberta Fish and Game Association. Ten volunteers and TUC staff harvested 1700 willow stakes in five hours. These willow stakes have been stored in a large snowbank and will be planted later this spring to stabilize and restore the riparian zone. In conjunction with new designated OHV trails, this restoration activity will expedite the recovery of the native riparian zone and create better fish habitat.