Fish Passage Restoration Reducing Barriers to Fish and Wildlife and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Fish Passage Restoration

Presentation by: Joseph Gould, Natural Resource Planner Kerrie Gallo, Director of Ecological Programs Emily Sadowski, Natural Resource Planner

Reducing Barriers to Fish and Wildlife and Improving Stream Function in the Niagara River Watershed

Project Partners:

Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District

Agenda

 Provide watershed context based on Niagara River

Watershed Habitat Conservation Strategy

 Fish barrier assessment work  Stream crossings  Common problems  Stream crossing guidelines  Stream Classifications  Misclassification of Streams  Permit requirements  Questions & discussion

Watershed Context

Project Details:

• 3 year project-completed in

August 2014

• 903,305 acres
• Portions of 4 counties
• Erie (75.6%)
• Niagara (46.9%)
• Genesee (52.5%)
• Wyoming (16.2%)
• 3,250 miles of streams

Ecosystem-based Framework:

Provide a scientifically driven, stakeholder influenced blueprint for ecosystem- based planning and habitat conservation in the Niagara River Watershed.

Adopt and implement ecology-based headwater forest protection/ plans/ policies/ practices

Priority Recommendations

• Headwater streams shape entire

downstream systems

• “From a watershed perspective,

planting vegetation along smaller systems will produce greater aquatic habitat benefits than planting along higher-order rivers…” (How Much Habitat Is

Enough, Environment Canada)

Key Finding #3

Lack of sufficient regional Living Infrastructure Network/ Protections

Components/Functions:

 Riparian Buffers/Filtration  Wetlands/Filtration & Storage  Floodplains/Connectivity &

Flood Mitigation

 Natural Springs/Recharge  Headwater Forests/Drinking

Water

 Wildlife Corridors/Biodiversity

…an interconnected network of waterways, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitats, and other natural areas of significance.

• Wild, Conservation &

Public Park Uses make up <5% of total land use acreage

• Long-term protection of

water resources and living infrastructure will require a much greater investment in protective uses and policies

Niagara River Watershed – Land Use

Habitat Focused Watershed Goals

Restore connectivity Protect/restore unique habitats Restore hydrologic function Restore quality

Fish Barrier Assessment

4,000+ Stream Crossings (culverts) in the Niagara Watershed

Stream Crossing Assessments

FishXing Model was used to analyze data collected and determine whether the culvert is passable or not

Trout Presence by Species



This map represents the general geographic extent of trout by sub-species in the Niagara River Watershed. Some seasonal spawning and stocking is not represented on this map. This map is based on NYS DEC historical records that were digitized as well as work completed by U.S. FWS & Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper in 2014 and 2015 field seasons.

https://www.streamcontinuity.org/cdb2/naacc_search_crossing.cfm?sp=1

Stream Crossing Problems and Guidelines

How are Stream Crossings Barriers to Fish?

 Unnatural channels with shallow or high flow

cause fish to reach their exhaustion rate.

 Water velocities higher than 4 feet per second

(CFS) will begin to impede passage for some species.

 Without adequate natural stream bed material

fish do not have refuge to rest and feed.

 On average, barriers higher than 16 inches

(40cm) are above the maximum jump height

• f an adult Brook Trout.

Common Problems

Perched Culvert Undersized Crossing Shallow Crossing Misaligned High Gradient Crossing

Suggested Guidelines

Action Steps

 Highway departments should consider stream

crossing guidelines during infrastructure replacement projects

 Riverkeeper has identified high priority culverts

targeted for replacement and stream restoration projects

Stream Classification and Permit Problems and Requirements

(T) trout populations (TS) trout spawning

Special permits are required for any activity occurring within a stream designated as T or TS. However, these designations have been found inconsistent with the currently known locations

• f trout populations.

Stream Classification and Permits

Stream Classification & Generalized Range of Trout in the Niagara River Watershed

(Note: this does not represent seasonal spawning or stocking)

Action Steps

 If you are working in a class A or B stream or a C

stream with a T (trout present) or TS (trout spawning) designation please conform to special permit requirements

 Contact NYS DEC Region 9 Permits Office for details

regarding special permit requirements

 If you believe you are working in a stream that has

trout but is not classified properly please contact NYSDEC Region 9 Fisheries Office

Region 9 Bureau of Fisheries www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/32616.html Scott Cornett 182 East Union Street Allegany, N.Y. 14706 Office: 716-372-0645 Region 9 Permit Administrator www.dec.ny.gov/about/39381.htm David Denk Email: dep.r9@dec.ny.gov Office: 716-851-7165 Fax: 716-851-7168

Key Takeaways

 Headwater conservation is critically important

for the health of the Niagara River Watershed

 Utilizing the stream crossing guidelines when

designing and replacing culverts will allow for the natural passage of fish and wildlife

 Understanding the geographic extent of trout in

• ur watershed beyond the classified streams will

help ensure proper installation techniques and protection of our fisheries resources

Additional Resources



NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. 2011. Stream Crossings. http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/streamcrossing.pdf.



University of Massachusetts Amherst. 2004. River and Stream Continuity

• Project. www.streamcontinuity.org



Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture. 2006. Eastern Brook Trout : Status and

• threats. Prepared by Trout Unlimited, Arlington, VA, for EBTJV36 pp.



Singler, A. and B. Graber. 2005. Massachusetts Stream Crossings Handbook. Massachusetts Riverways Program, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game

Thank you

Joseph Gould, Natural Resource Planner jgould@bnriverkeeper.org (716) 852-7483 ext. 27