Bull Trout What’s in a name?-Westslope Cutthroat Trout – what an odd name for a species found on both sides of the continental divide. So how did the Westslope Cutthroat Trout get its name and what is the background behind some other North American fish names? Westslope Cutthroat Trout likely got their common name because they were first described by settlers on the western side of the continental divide. The first written description of Westslope Cutthroat Trout dates back to a Lewis and Clark expedition through the Great Falls of the Missouri River in 1805. Thirty years after the Lewis and Clark expedition, Sir John Richardson wrote a book on the zoology and fish of British Columbia, providing the first scientific name for cutthroat trout, Salmo clarkii, after William Clark. Throughout the years the scientific name underwent some minor changes as it became apparent that there were multiple subspecies of cutthroat trout. In 1989, morphological studies by Smith & Stearley showed that Westslope Cutthroat Trout were more closely related to Pacific salmon than Atlantic salmon and the name was changed to the one we currently use Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi. Another fish with an unusual name is the Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). The name “Dolly Varden” comes from a fashion trend in the 1870s that consisted of a brightly patterned dress with an overskirt. How did the clothing get its name? – It came from a character in Charles Dicken’s novel Barnaby Ridge. Up until 1978, Dolly Varden and Bull Trout were thought to be the same species. It was only after Cavender (1978) identified some morphological and geographical differences that the two species were determined to be distinct. The first fish called a Dolly Varden was likely what we now call a Bull Trout. Brook Trout Brook Trout have an expansive array of common names. They have been referred to as Speckled Trout, Lord-fish, Square-tail, Mud Trout, and others. Migratory populations in Lake Superior are also called Coaster Brook Trout or just Coasters and some sea-run populations are also called Salters. The issue with common names is that they are not universal. To further complicate matters, Brook Trout, Bull Trout, and Lake Trout may have “Trout” in their common name however, they are actually char (genus Salvelinus). True trout have teeth in the roof of the mouth, black spots and tend to have larger scales. However, we still use “trout” in the common name of some of these species that are technically not trout. Not only can common names cause confusion between species, but there can also be issues across language. Scientific names, on the other hand, are unique to a species and universal across languages. The first word in the scientific name refers to the genus and second, is the species (sometimes a third will be included to indicate subspecies). This naming code method is called Binomial Nomenclature and it’s been around since the 1600s but it was not widely adopted until Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist adopted it and named over 10,000 species. Generally, the scientific name can be relied upon to be the accurate name for a species but even that can change as new information is gained. For example, relatively new genetic tools have allowed scientists to better classify how different populations are related which sometimes results in re-classifying or re-naming a population. For example, Mountain Suckers in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan were previously known by the scientific name Catostomus platyrhynchus but are now known as Plains Suckers (Pantosteus jordani) and their populations in British Columbia are now known as Cordilleran Sucker (Pantosteus bondi). So, next time you catch a fish you may wonder where the name came from. Chances are there is a story behind it! Works Cited Behnke, R. (2002). Trout and Salmon of North America. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc. Cavender, T. (1978). Taxonomy and distribution of the bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, from the American Northwest. California Fish and Game, 64, 137-174. Moyle, P. B. (1976). Inland Fishes of California. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. Richardson, J. (1836). Fauna boreali-americana; or the zoology of the northern parts of British America. Longdon. Smith, G. R., & Stearley, R. F. (1989). The classification and scientific names of rainbow and cutthroat trouts. Fisheries, 14. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (2019). Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Retrieved from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/oncorhynchus-clarki-lewisi#locations Young, M. K., McKelvey, K. S., Jennings, T., Carter, K., Cronn, R., Keeley, E. R., . . . Schwartz, M. K. (2018). The Phylogeography of Westslope Cutthroat Trout. The phylogeography of westslope cutthroat trout. Pages 261-301 in Trotter P, Bisson P, Schultz L, Roper B (editors). Cutthroat Trout: Evolutionary Biology and Taxonomy. Special Publication 36, American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

TUC launches its first educational program, Yellow Fish Road™ The Yellow Fish Road Program is designed to educate youth about water and their watersheds, linking learning to action with the storm drain painting project in their own communities. Our bright “Yellow Fish” with the words “Rainwater Only”  reminds people that what goes down the storm drain from their homes, goes directly to the river untreated, affecting all life in the water and ultimately us. To learn more, visit our shop

Thank you so much to everyone who volunteered during our 2025 Fish Rescue efforts in the irrigation canals throughout Southern Alberta. Over the 10 days we spent rescuing fish in the canals, 157 volunteers contributed a total of 1,336 hours. Sixteen of those volunteers couldn’t get enough of the fun and attended more than one fish rescue date this year. Below are our preliminary counts and the largest fish caught in the canal. For a more in-depth look at this year’s fish rescue results, keep an eye out for our final report that will be released soon. Our first fish rescue day was at the Western Headworks Canal on October 1 st . We were thrilled by the turnout on this day, especially since it was a last-minute addition to our volunteer dates. In total, we rescued 3,494 fish on this day. The biggest fish caught was a Brown Trout with a fork length of 725 mm (~28.5 inches!), making it the third largest Brown Trout ever caught during an FC2 Fish Rescue. Next up was the Carseland Bow River Headworks Canal, where we spent four days rescuing fish. Even on our snowiest day, we had plenty of volunteers ready to jump into the action. In total, we rescued 21,405 over the four days spent at this canal. The biggest fish caught was a Brown Trout with a 570 mm (~22.4 inches) fork length. We also caught a FC2 fish rescue record-breaking Trout Perch with a whopping 93 mm (~3.7 inches) fork length! After a quick break to decontaminate our gear, we headed to the Lethbridge Northern Headworks Canal, where we spent three days rescuing fish. In total, we rescued 3,690 fish over the three days spent at this canal. The biggest fish caught was a Rainbow Trout with a 517 mm (~20 inches) fork length. Finally, we spent our final two days of fish rescue at the Waterton-Belly Diversion Canal. In total, we rescued 1,929 fish over the two days spent at this canal. The biggest fish caught at this canal was a Northern Pike that measured 746 mm (just over 29 inches!), and this was also the biggest fish caught during this year’s rescue overall!    Whether you were hauling buckets, netting or processing, we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for helping us save the fish!

MILLBROOK –  Freshwater Conservation Canada (formerly Trout Unlimited Canada), a national leader in freshwater ecosystem conservation and restoration, is partnering with a visionary landowner to restore a section of Squirrel Creek that runs through a retired cattle pasture. This effort will help to cool this reach of the stream and reset conditions to support the return of Brook Trout, while helping to build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Working with Steven Brackenridge of Squirrel Creek Farm, Freshwater Conservation Canada is restoring the health of Squirrel Creek and returning the retired cattle pasture to riparian forest and wetlands, including planting Sugar Maple trees. These trees are intended to be used by Brackenridge’s great-grandchildren for maple syrup production. Brook Trout are resident to Squirrel Creek, but due to multiple factors, they are rarely seen in this reach of the stream in recent years. Warming of the water is one factor – without shade provided by trees, and an online pond upstream, this reach of stream is less hospitable to coldwater fish species like Brook Trout. Bank erosion and sedimentation caused by cattle entering the stream has fouled fish nesting habitat and has disconnected the stream from the floodplain, further impacting the health of the stream and fish and downstream communities. Streams and rivers overflowing into floodplains is a natural process that helps to mitigate flooding and drought and contributes to the ongoing health of the stream and the fish and wildlife that make it home. “Our Cooling Squirrel Creek project is an excellent example of how rural landowners and conservation organizations partnering together can help to protect and restore our freshwater ecosystems, which also protect our communities from the impacts of climate change,” said Mike McKenzie, Program Manager. “Farmers are important stewards of our lands and waters.” “I can remember catching large Brook Trout in this stream when I was a child, but it has been many years since I have seen one of any size” said Steven Brackenridge. “By commissioning this restoration, I aim for them to return, and to carry on my grandfather’s legacy of caring for the land for future generations.” Freshwater Conservation Canada and Squirrel Creek Farm are hosting a community tree planting event on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1, from 9 am to 2 pm – Link    -30-

“To conserve, protect, and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and their coldwater resources for current and future generations” – this is our mission statement at Freshwater Conservation Canada - and has been since the 1970s. But what does it really mean, and why is it important? We often think of Canada’s freshwater supplies as clean and healthy, but the reality is that many streams and rivers are highly impacted, and only those in protected or remote areas can be considered pristine. Many Canadians have heard that Canada is home to 20% of the world’s freshwater, giving us a sense of comfort that we have plentiful access to this essential, life-giving resource. The reality is that most of our water is considered non-renewable , meaning it is not part of the global water cycle because it is locked away in aquifers and glaciers, for example. In addition, more than half of Canada’s renewable freshwater flows northward into the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay, leaving it inaccessible to most of our population, which lives within a few hundred kilometres of our southern border. This leaves much of the remaining supply under heavy demand and stress. But it’s not just about the water. Freshwater ecosystems include the rivers, streams, wetlands, and lakes where freshwater is found. An ecosystem is a whole community of living things interacting with each other and their physical environment, consisting of water, soils, rocks, air and other habitat components. Freshwater ecosystems are often hotspots of biodiversity, supporting not only aquatic species (like fish and mussels) but also birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, fungi, and plants. But freshwater ecosystems are also one of the most threatened environments due to a multitude of human activities, including dams, diversions, floodplain development, overexploitation, habitat destruction and fragmentation, water use, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species. Together, these stressors, along with the impacts of climate change, have resulted in a freshwater biodiversity crisis. And despite our wealth of water, Canada is not immune to these threats. In fact, our false sense of abundance may contribute to declines in water quality, availability, and habitat health. A 2022 study that reviewed the conservation status of over 3000 freshwater species in Canada found that nearly 12% of those species were considered “at risk” and another 18% considered “special concern” (at risk of becoming threatened or endangered). Athabasca Rainbow Trout used to be so plentiful that they were excluded from catch limits and minimum size limits in Alberta’s 1949 fishing regulations. In the decades since, their numbers have declined precipitously, such that they are now considered Endangered. Cumulative effects of land use have impacted water quality and ecosystem health in the Athabasca Rainbow Trout home range. Declines in freshwater biodiversity should be a wake-up call, or early warning signal, about the state of our freshwater ecosystems and resources. In addition to the threats to biodiversity, communities increasingly face freshwater-related challenges: from blue-green algae blooms that make waters unsafe to swim in (there are over 130 advisories in Canada at the time of writing this), to water pollution that makes it dangerous to eat fish . From floods that put lives and infrastructure at risk to droughts that threaten food production, stress municipal drinking water supplies, and pose challenges to wastewater treatment, freshwater issues are affecting communities across Canada, and we all bear the costs. These are the reasons there is an immediate need to conserve, protect, and restore these ecosystems and why Freshwater Conservation Canada is stepping up. Our work focuses on water quality and quantity, as well as aquatic communities and their habitats. It includes restoration , native species protection and recovery, and assessment and monitoring to inform action. Wherever possible, we include volunteer opportunities and community engagement, giving folks an opportunity to connect with these spaces and be part of a positive movement. Our work on riverscapes and riparian corridors is building resilience to climate change by planting trees and using low-tech process-based restoration to kickstart the natural recovery of streams that have been impacted by human activity. The results: improved water quality and water security, increased stability, increased native biodiversity, reduced flood and drought impacts, refuge from increased air and water temperatures, improved connection with and understanding of our natural spaces and heritage, and more. Why does it matter? Healthy and functional freshwater ecosystems are essential for more than just fish. These systems supply drinking water, water for industry and agriculture, wastewater treatment, recreational opportunities, food and medicine, and habitat for a plethora of species. They buffer the impact of extreme weather like floods, droughts, and fires and play an important role in nutrient cycling and carbon storage. Canada’s freshwater ecosystems, including the spaces they occupy and the species they support, are also part of our Canadian heritage and identity and have spiritual and cultural value that’s impossible to put a price tag on. Although governments play a key role in their protection, we cannot rely on governments alone to protect what is important to Canadians. This is why Freshwater Conservation Canada is here and why we need your help. Land use, climate change, and changes to stream ecology have caused some streams that historically would have flowed year-round to dry up in late summer. Besides the obvious problems this causes aquatic species that live in the water, it also impacts agricultural producers and downstream water users who depend on water availability. How to get involved? Join us! Attend a volunteer event, join your local chapter, hold a fundraising event, or donate to support our ongoing work. Talk to your friends and family about the need for freshwater conservation and restoration, and tell your elected officials that this work is important and worthy of investment. We couldn't do it without our dedicated staff, volunteers, members, donors, sponsors, and funders. We thank you! Continue to learn, be engaged, and don’t give up hope. Action is the antidote – participating in restoration work and learning about freshwater ecosystems is an important way to be part of solutions to the challenges facing our freshwater systems.

Everyone benefits from spending time outdoors, but access to nature is not always equal. Racialized individuals can experience cultural, economic and physical barriers to accessing natural spaces in Canada. The Connect and Protect program aims to improve these individuals' access to nature and conservation by inviting participants to engage in outdoor conservation and recreation activities while surrounded by their community. This year, Freshwater Conservation Canada is proud to partner with Colour the Trails for our Connect and Protect events across the country. Colour the Trails is focused on improving access to the outdoors for BIPOC living in Canada. They host introductions, mentorships, and clinics in outdoor activities to introduce BIPOC adults to new activities and then help them advance further. They also provide consultation and support to partner organizations working to improve and diversify their communities. Our first Connect and Protect event of the season occurred on a tributary to Waiparous Creek at the end of July 2025. Due to the loss of beavers in the area, coupled with heavy grazing from feral horses and cattle, the creek often runs dry in the summer. The persistently dry conditions at the creek have also caused a loss of willows, making it an unattractive habitat for beavers, and leaving the creek trapped in a cycle of degradation. To address this, Freshwater Conservation Canada has been building beaver dam analogues (BDAs)—man-made beaver dams that perform all the same functions as a natural dam, by slowing down the flow of water in the creek, raising the water level, and refilling groundwater aquifers. The day began with introductions and orientation before diving into restoration activities. Participants then got to work repairing some BDAs built earlier in the year and building new ones. Due to the abnormally rainy July in Alberta, the creek was completely full of water for the first time in years! However, this meant that many of the structures built in early July were now too small and needed to be expanded to accommodate current flow conditions. Some structures had to be quadrupled in size! Thanks to everyone’s hard work and a lunchtime mushroom foray to keep spirits high—we built or expanded four structures during the workday. After wrapping up restoration work, participants walked to a large natural beaver complex upstream of a previous restoration site. These beavers returned to the creek thanks to previous rehabilitation efforts in the watershed, and ending our day here was the perfect way to show participants the impact of restoration work. Freshwater Conservation Canada thanks Colour the Trails  for collaborating with us to make this workday such a success! This event would not have been possible without their support in program planning, development, and coordination. Freshwater Conservation Canada also thanks Enbridge and the Calgary Foundation for supporting the 2025 Connect and Protect program. Photo Credit: Samuel Oke Photo Credit: Samuel Oke Photo Credit: Samuel Oke

The relationship between land and water is vital for sustaining life on Earth. This connection affects ecosystems, human health, agriculture, and even weather patterns. In this blog post, we'll explore various facets of the land-water connection, highlight its significance, and offer practical insights on how to maximize its benefits. The Land-Water Connection Understanding the land-water connection requires recognizing how these two elements interact within ecosystems. Water flows over land, shaping the terrain, supporting plant life, and influencing the habitats of various animals. Conversely, land retains water, influencing groundwater levels and the availability of fresh water in rivers and lakes. Water Cycle Dynamics One major aspect of the land-water relationship is the water cycle. The water cycle explains how water moves between the land, atmosphere, and bodies of water. Evaporation : Water from the earth's surface evaporates into the air due to solar energy, contributing to atmospheric moisture. Condensation : This moisture condenses into clouds, eventually leading to precipitation. Runoff and Infiltration : Water that returns to the surface can either run off into rivers and lakes or infiltrate into the soil, replenishing groundwater supplies. The interplay between land and water in this cycle is crucial for maintaining ecological balance. For example, during heavy rainfall, water runoff can cause soil erosion, while insufficient ground cover may lead to decreased water absorption. The interconnectivity of river systems and terrestrial forests The Role of Soil Soil acts as a vital intermediary in the land-water connection. Healthy soil contains organic matter, minerals, and microorganisms, all of which help retain water. Water Retention : Loamy soils, known for their mix of sand, silt, and clay, can hold substantial moisture while allowing excess water to drain. Nutrient Cycle : Soil health also supports the nutrient cycle, enriching the plants that substantially rely on water. Statistics show that approximately 38% of agricultural lands worldwide experience moderate to severe land degradation. Addressing soil health is crucial for agricultural productivity and ensuring that water bodies remain clean and vibrant. Soil health is crucial for retaining moisture and nutrients Impact on Ecosystem Diversity The relationship between land and water is fundamental for maintaining biodiversity. Aquatic ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands, support various flora and fauna. Habitat Creation : Wetlands provide habitats for numerous species while acting as natural filters for water. Fisheries : Healthy water bodies serve as breeding grounds for fish, impacting local economies. The decline of wetland areas around the globe due to urban development threatens not only the species that depend on them but also the human communities that rely on fisheries and tourism. Protecting these vital ecosystems should be a priority. Wetlands are crucial to ecosystem diversity and health Human Activities and Their Effects Human activities often disrupt the delicate balance between land and water. Industrialization, urban development, and agriculture can lead to pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction. Pollution : Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers can contaminate water bodies, harming aquatic ecosystems. Deforestation : Cutting down trees increases soil erosion and disrupts the natural water cycle. It is crucial to adopt sustainable practices. Implementing buffer zones around water bodies and promoting organic farming can help minimize the negative impacts on the land-water connection. Sustainability and Conservation Practices To maintain a healthy relationship between land and water, conservation efforts are vital. Here are some actionable recommendations: Plant Trees : Reforestation projects can help stabilize soil, reduce runoff, and improve local ecosystems. Rainwater Harvesting : Collecting rainwater for irrigation can reduce the demand on local water sources. Wetlands Restoration : Investing in wetland restoration projects can enhance biodiversity and improve water quality. Organizations focused on projects aimed at improving the land and water relationship are critical for preserving these ecosystems. Engaging in local conservation efforts can significantly contribute to these overarching goals. Restoration of forest areas enhances water retention and local biodiversity The Path Toward a Sustainable Future As we continue to understand the intricate connection between land and water, it becomes increasingly clear that sustainable practices are not an option but a necessity. The health of our ecosystems, food security, and even human health are all intertwined in this relationship. Awareness and proactive measures can pave the way for a sustainable future. Engaging communities in conservation efforts and adopting best practices in land and water use are essential. By working together, we can safeguard our planet's intricate systems for generations to come. The connection between land and water is more than just a scientific insight; it is an essential aspect of our lives and the natural world. The more we understand and respect this relationship, the better we can manage our resources and ensure a healthier planet.

Impact of Proposed Legislative Changes on Endangered Species As you may have already heard, the Ontario government has introduced a bill that would significantly reduce environmental protections, including those for endangered species. Among other things, the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act” would repeal the existing Endangered Species Act (ESA), which has aimed to protect and recover at-risk species since 2007, and replace it with the Species Conservation Act (SCA). Ostensibly meant to maintain species protections while “reducing red tape,” the new Species Conservation Act is poised to shift how the Province treats endangered species and the habitats they rely on. The changes proposed in this legislation raise serious concerns. Key Proposed Changes to Environmental Protections The new bill would introduce significant alterations to existing protections. Here are some key changes that have been proposed: Narrowing of Habitat Definitions : The definition of habitat would shift to refer only to an animal’s immediate dwelling place, such as a nest. This means protections for rare plants would extend only to the individual plant’s roots, rather than the broader ecosystem in which they thrive. Harassment of Species : The bill aims to remove the prohibition on “harassing” species at risk. This could allow actions that scare animals away from their preferred nesting locations. As a result, habitat protections might not be triggered, leading to increased risks for vulnerable species. Permit Removal for Harmful Projects : The requirement for permits for projects that could harm species at risk would be eliminated. Instead, an online registration system would be introduced. This change would undermine the ability of the government’s environmental experts to review plans. Without this oversight, the potential harm to species is likely to increase. Elimination of Recovery Strategies : The bill would also remove the requirement for provincial recovery strategies and management plans aimed at protecting species at risk. This lack of structured responses could exacerbate the threats these species already face. Increased Power for Industries In addition to the Species Conservation Act, a separate proposed bill called the Special Economic Zones Act would also allow industries to bypass provincial laws and municipal bylaws. This at-risk approach disregards the due process under which those laws and bylaws were originally created. Such a framework would give industries unprecedented power to operate without sufficient environmental oversight. The Call for Rethinking Environmental Protection Freshwater Conservation Canada is calling on the Ontario Government to reconsider this proposed legislation. When the Endangered Species Act was created, the Province of Ontario demonstrated true leadership. They recognized the ecological, social, economic, and intrinsic value of biological diversity for future generations. The ESA takes a science-based approach. It considers the life history and ecology of various species. This approach is particularly crucial for many species that rely on freshwater ecosystems. Aquatic and amphibian species are already identified as being at greater risk of extinction due to their reliance on multiple habitats throughout their life cycles. The Importance of Strong Environmental Protections It was acknowledged in 2007, and we are reminded today, that environmental protection and strong economies can coexist. We do not have to choose between one or the other. Strong environmental regulations enable sustainable development. They ensure that we protect biodiversity while allowing economic growth. Take Action: Share Your Voice The Province is accepting comments on the proposed legislation until this Saturday, May 17th, at 11:59 PM. Your voice is vital in shaping the future of environmental protections in Ontario. Comments can be submitted here . Support your local wildlife and ecosystems. Our natural environment deserves protection, and you can help influence decision-makers by expressing your concerns. The legislative changes proposed could have long-term consequences for countless species. In conclusion, we must rally together to protect our environment. The fight for conservation has never been more critical. Ensure that the future we leave behind supports both wildlife and a thriving community. Your actions can inspire change. Together, we can safeguard Ontario's rich biodiversity.

Written by: Angela Ten, Management Biologist As part of TUC’s Reconnecting Canada  campaign, we have been working to replace a set of hanging culverts on two tributaries to Waiparous Creek since 2019. We refer to these creeks as the Whispering Pines East and West tributaries, since they cross a road owned by the Whispering Pines Bible Camp. These creeks are home to native Bull Trout ( Salvelinus confluentus ) and Westslope Cutthroat Trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisii ), which are both species at risk. In 2022, we successfully replaced one set of hanging culverts on the Whispering Pines West tributary, so this year, our goal was to replace the set on the East tributary! Before: the four hanging culverts on the Whispering Pines East Tributary. Imagine jumping up that as a fish! Culverts are “hanging” when there is a gap between the bottom of the culvert and the top of the stream it flows into—kind of like a mini-waterfall. Just like a natural waterfall, hanging culverts can be a barrier for fish movement, as fish may be unable to jump high enough to close the gap between the stream and the culvert. When this happens, populations on the upstream side of the culvert become isolated from the rest of the creek. Problems associated to this isolation are amplified when the upstream part of the creek is particularly small, like it is in Whispering Pines East. Imagine that you and 100 other people living in a single apartment building. There is enough food and water for everyone and one room for each person. The doors to the apartment building only work one way; no one new can enter the building, and if you ever leave the building, you can’t come back in. Things are fine at first—but then a fire destroys 10 of the rooms, and the rooms cannot be repaired. What do you do? Some people share their rooms, but they often get into fights over the lack of personal space. Others have no choice but to leave. A decade passes, and you have kids in the apartment! There is enough room for the kids for now since they’re small, but space will be an issue once the kids grow up. The kids also need some space to play; the apartment has a small playground, but there are other families with kids, too, and not enough space for everyone. What do you do? Do you leave, or stay and fight for the limited space in the apartment and playground? This Westslope Cutthroat Trout was found on the upstream section of the Whispering Pines East culvert These are examples of some of the struggles that fish living in small, isolated populations face. A flood or drought that damages part of their habitat could lead to the death or displacement of a significant amount of fish. Sometimes, the remaining habitat is not suitable for all age classes of fish. Additionally, since no new fish can enter this population, the fish in the system can become more and more related to each other over time, causing issues with inbreeding (when relatives breed with each other) that can harm the population’s genetics. At the Whispering Pines East tributary, the road was also causing a significant amount of sediment to be deposited into the stream when it rained. Since the valley here is so steep, the creek crossing was the lowest part of the road. As a result, whenever it rained, water would flow down the compacted road surface from both sides, picking up sediment as it went, before dumping this muddy water into the lowest part of the slope—the creek. This muddy water makes it hard for fish to see, and breathe and can bury their eggs, which are usually laid in loose gravels. All this means that if we want to protect and conserve the native, at-risk trout that live in the Whispering Pines East tributary, we have to do something about these hanging culverts. The old culverts on a rainy day. Note how the water coming out of the culvert is clean, but the running down the slope into the creek is muddy; that all came from the road! And in September 2023, we did! After several years of fundraising and hard work, we were finally able to begin the process of replacing the hanging culverts with an open-bottom arch. The process and results for the work at the east tributary is similar to that of the west tributary Since the creek would have to be dewatered to minimize the impacts of construction on the creek, TUC staff installed nets to exclude fish from the dewatered area, performed several fish salvages within the dewatered area, and moved the captured fish to a safer spot in the creek. The creek was then pumped around the construction area. To prevent the issues with the road from happening again, a significant amount of gravel was used to eliminate the dip in the road and lift it out of the valley. Moving and packing down all this material took a lot of time, so construction for this culvert took over 3 weeks to complete. With construction complete, all that’s left is to restore the adjacent riparian area with some tree planting and woody debris distribution. This process was started in October 2023, and will likely continue for another year or two as we monitor the site. If you’re interested in getting involved with this project, and seeing this enormous arch for yourself, keep an eye out on our Eventbrite and social media pages for riparian planting volunteer opportunities in spring and fall 2024! The new open-bottom arch, with happy TUC staff! This project was financially supported by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas through the Native Trout Collaborative, the Alberta Conservation Association, the Calgary Foundation, the Bow River Basin Council, the Ghost Watershed Alliance Society, the Samuel Hanen Society for Resource Conservation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, TC Energy, and the Alberta Fish and Game Association. In-kind support was gratefully received from Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors through gravel donations. Finally, TUC thanks the Whispering Pines Bible Camp for making the road available for construction, and for their continued support of work on this creek.

Winter is the season for love. Nothing is more romantic than cuddling up with your partner to shelter from the cold. Don’t agree? Ask the burbot! Burbot ( Lota lota ) are the only freshwater members of the cod (Gadidae) family. They’re sometimes called Ling, or Ling Cod. They can be easily identified by their long, eel-like bodies and a single barbel  on their chin. Note the barbel on this young burbot’s chin In the winter, most fish hunker down from cold, but for burbot, this is the perfect time to get frisky! To prepare for their sub-zero courtship, burbot spend much of the fall and early winter bulking up. One organ that grows in preparation for spawning season is their swim bladder ! The swim bladder is a gas-filled organ in fish that regulates their buoyancy, or their position in the water column. This may seem like it has nothing to do with reproduction, but burbot also use their swim bladder to make sounds! Burbot have drumming muscles that beat on their swim bladders and create rapid, low-pitched vocalizations that sound like a motorcycle revving. These burbot could form an amazing drumline! Vocalizations in burbot are not well-studied, but scientists believe that drumming is a spawning behaviour in burbot, since the organ grows leading up to the spawning season. In Atlantic Cod, males that can drum louder and longer are more successful at attracting mates; this may be true for burbot as well. Between December to May, lake-dwelling burbot migrate at night to shallow waters and small streams to spawn. Since spawning occurs at night when visibility is poor, burbot do not develop any visual cues for spawning, like changes in colour or size. This is another reason why drumming may be a key part of their spawning rituals, since you don’t need to see to hear! Burbot are well camouflaged year round While many other fish will defend mates or territories during the spawning season, burbot are relatively peaceful fish, and do not fight with each other. Instead, dozens of individuals will come together in a big, squirming burbot ball to spawn. Female burbot in these spawning balls may release up to 3,000,000 eggs each! After spawning, these small eggs are carried with the current until they settle to the bottom of the lake or stream, and hatch 1-3 months later. After another 2-8 years of growing, these burbot will be ready for some winter loving of their own!

By Lili-Maude Craig, Fisheries Technician, and Evan Tichonuk, Fisheries Technician In spring, while mindlessly swimming down the Oldman River in southern Alberta, you followed the flow of water through the unscreened headgates of a diversion on the river. This diversion conveys water into an 88 km long irrigation canal that supplies water throughout the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District. You moved downstream through the gate of a check structure and unintentionally made a home of a deep pool below it. Since you were unable to make your way back upstream, you spent all summer here in the canal. It is now October, an unseasonably warm October that has you oblivious to the changes soon to come. Canal operators are preparing to close the headgates of the canal to ensure they can conduct regular maintenance during the winter months and prevent damage to the structures from ice jams. When the headgates are shut, water is no longer being supplied to the canal, and water levels drop as the canal continues to drain. Seeps and precipitation will still provide the canal with water, though not enough to sustain those left stranded like you throughout the winter. A few days go by, and you and several hundred other fish congregate in the deepest section you can find once the flow to the canal is finally cut off. You watch as others get picked off by gulls and larger fish, hoping neither becomes your fate. Lucky for you, a group of people with tubs, nets, and what you can only describe as “proton packs” from “Ghostbusters”, make their way down the banks and into the canal. They begin to wade towards you, and before you know it, you undergo “galvanotaxis” and are scooped out of the water by a swift netter, placed into a tub and transported out of the canal to be processed. You are then identified to species, counted on a tally sheet, and put into an oxygenated holding tank before being released back into the Oldman River. You are a 52 mm Spoonhead Sculpin, one of 1,294 fish captured from “LNHC 2” on October 14th, 2022, during Trout Unlimited Canada’s annual Fish Rescue. A total of 21,365 fish were rescued across all sites at the Lethbridge Northern Headworks Canal; across all of the four irrigation canals sampled, 72,055 fish (except aquatic invasive species) were rescued and released back into their source rivers. For comparison, that is almost as many fish as caught in 21 years of Fish Rescue at the Western Headworks Canal (74,804) and nearly 20,000 more fish than what has ever been captured in 17 years of rescue efforts at the Waterton-Belly Diversion Canal (55,231). A total of 1,079,668 fish have been captured from 1998 to this date. Crunching the NumbersSpeciesWHCCBRHCLNHCWBDTotalPercentage of total (%)Sportfish BLTR004040.0%BNTR279281,025171,9972.8%BURB04279850.1%LKTR000110.0%LKWH1026786810.9%MNWH3,2762,5854,5843210,47714.5%NRPK002613390.1%RNTR11,28056531,8492.6%YLPR801200920.1% Total Sport Fish3,3854,8096,20882315,22521.1%% Sport Fish8.3%55.1%29.1%63.7%Non-Sportfish BRST622370920.1%EMSH007070.0%FTMN4075811240.2%LKCH4421037388331.2%LNDC7822,1688841063,9405.5%LNSC2,5829783,1672216,9489.6%MNSC2319143590.1%PRCR340070.0%PRDC300030.0%SPSC3770438318461.2%TRPR32113741110.2%WHSC1,85562310,2462612,75017.7% Total Non-Sportfish6,1723,92115,15747025,72035.7%% Non-Sportfish15.2%44.9%70.9%36.3%Unknown UNKN31,11000031,11043.2% Total Unknown31,11000031,11043.2%% Unknown76%0%0%0%Total40,6678,73021,3651,29372,055100.0% This year, sportfish made up 21.1% of the total Fish Rescue catch. The most abundant sportfish species encountered were Mountain Whitefish, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout, accounting for 14.5%, 2.8%, and 2.6% of the total catch, respectively. White Sucker and Longnose Sucker were the most abundant non-sportfish species, representing 17.7% and 9.6% of the total catch, respectively. Approximately 43.2% of fish rescued could not be identified. These unidentified fish were captured at the Western Headworks Canal, where there were significantly higher than anticipated volumes of fish. They needed to be transferred en masse, by hand, back to the Bow River due to time constraints. These fish were therefore recorded as “unknown” species. Featured Fish Records were broken this year when a 1,001 mm Lake Trout was caught at the Waterton-Belly Diversion Canal (WBD). This Lake Trout is the biggest fish ever recorded in Fish Rescue history. Other impressive catches from this year’s rescue efforts include a 750 mm Bull Trout (one of four captured at the Lethbridge Northern Headworks Canal), a 710 mm Northern Pike, and a 685 mm Burbot. A 346 mm Prussian Carp was caught at the Carseland-Bow River Headworks Canal, the largest of this species captured at a Fish Rescue to date. Let’s not forget the monster Trout-perch measuring 85 mm that was also caught at the WBD canal (unfortunately outshone by the Lake Trout). Volunteer Abundance Over ten days of fieldwork, 137 volunteers contributed 1093 hours of effort. Fish Rescue has been able to take place year after year, largely because of the help provided by dedicated volunteers. New volunteers, volunteers joining for multiple days of rescues, and volunteers who have participated in this project for numerous years all play a significant role in minimizing the impacts of fish entrainment in southern Alberta’s irrigation canals. TUC is also grateful for the Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AAI) staff who assisted with the 2022 Fish Rescue. This includes support in the field with fish capture and processing, fish holding and release, and providing space to decontaminate gear to prevent the spread of whirling disease and other aquatic invasive species. Thank you to all involved in making the 24th Annual Fish Rescue possible! We hope to see you again next year! Photo Credit: David Bradford

The Strategic Watershed Action Team (SWAT) program is a clean water project created to help improve water quality through the development and restoration of natural infrastructure in southern Ontario. Over the last 10 years the program has been run under different funding to meet various program objectives. During the 2022-2023 season, the team implemented low-impact stream rehabilitation measures such as bioengineering, riparian plantings, and stream clean-ups. As well as create in-stream habitat, restore stream meander, and perform community electrofishing surveys. These projects were funded through in-kind donations and supporting grants. The projects completed in 2022-2023 were achieved by working in collaboration with Trout Unlimited Canada Chapters, communities, and partners. Test 2 Figure 1: Strategic Watershed Action Team (From left to right: Heidi, Mike, Chris, and Sara) In the 2022-2023 season, the Strategic Watershed Action Team (SWAT) consisted of four members (See Figure 1). The SWAT crew was led by Christopher Borowski, the crew members were Michael McKenzie, Heidi Poca, and Sara Jose. Over the course of the 2022-2023 SWAT season many different project types were completed by the crew. Below is a table featuring the metrics achieved by the SWAT crew this season, and a couple highlighted projects completed by the SWAT crew. The Town Pond Dam Sediment Mat Project: The Town Pond Dam was a concrete and earthen dam on Armstrong Creek, a tributary of the Rocky Saugeen River. In the spring of 2020, the dam was removed to allow for the connection of the Rocky Saugeen River habitat with the cold-water tributary Armstrong Creek. As the stream continues to carve a path through the sediment left behind from the pond, it has begun to split into multiple channels (See Figure 2). A sediment mat was installed within the left most channel facing downstream. The goal of this mat is to slow the flow and catch the sediment moving through this channel to concentrate flow into one channel. This sediment mat was made using 170 donated Christmas trees that were to TUC, along with wooden stakes and natural twine. This installed sediment mat will assist in defining the centre channel, by increasing flow and scouring the centre channel to improve connectivity (See Figure 3). Figure 2: Town Pond Dam Site Pre-Sediment Mat Figure 3: Town Pond Dam Site Post-Sediment Mat Ancaster Creek Wing Deflector: Ancaster Creek is a stream home to various cold-water species. Ancaster creek runs through a forest which has been heavily influenced by human activities causing significant deregulation in flow, over widening of sections, and woody debris jams forming . While some woody debris jams are good, in this context it increases the warming of the creek by slowing the water and causing sedimentation. Some areas were becoming so blocked that flooding was occurring and the stream was rerouting trying to form a new channel (See Figure 4). Clearing woody debris jams is important to the last few surviving cold water species present in Ancaster Creek, who may become locally extinct if they cannot find cool enough water to hide in. SWAT and the Hamilton Conservation Authority were able to restore 3170m2 of stream. Excessive woody debris jams were removed, immediately improving the flow of water, and removing any barriers that prevented fish passage. A wing deflector was also built to improve connectivity and to help create a more defined channel (See Figure 5). Figure 4: Ancaster Creek Channel Rerouting Figure 5: Ancaster Creek Post Wing Deflector Trout Unlimited Canada and the Strategic Watershed Action Team would like to extend our sincere thanks to Environment & Climate Change Canada for the opportunity to complete this important work using the EcoAction Community funding grant.