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Project sponsored in part by the Land Stewardship Centre Watershed Stewardship Grant Program
What is a redd?
A redd is a fish spawning nest, indicated by an area of clean, whiter-looking gravel
Project sponsored in part by the Land Stewardship Centre Watershed - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Project sponsored in part by the Land Stewardship Centre Watershed - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Project sponsored in part by the Land Stewardship Centre Watershed Stewardship Grant Program What is a redd? A redd is a fish spawning nest, indicated by an area of clean, whiter-looking gravel ** add video of Chris B (approx 5 mins re Redd
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** add video of Chris B (approx 5 mins re Redd Count)
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History of Lower Elbow Brown Trout Redd Count
- Counts of Brown Trout
Redds on the Lower Elbow began in Calgary in 1980
- Counts were not done
every year until 2008
- Calgary River Valleys
has been coordinating and sponsoring the count every year since 2009
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Why Brown Trout Redds
While Brown Trout aren’t a native species in Alberta,
having been introduced from Europe, they are now common in rivers & streams in Alberta’s foothills
Brown Trout have adapted well to the ecosystem here in
Calgary, and are out-competing the native species in some areas
The counts are done after spawning is complete Brown Trout spawn in the fall, unlike Rainbow Trout
that spawn in the spring, so the river is easier to walk in during the fall as it isn’t likely to be as high as in the spring
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Why Brown Trout?
There are 63 species of fish in Alberta, but only 17 are
considered “game fish” and are preferred by anglers.
Of these 17, the Bow & Elbow Rivers within, as well as
upstream & downstream of, Calgary have at least 9 of these “game fish”, which are: 1. Brook Trout
- 2. Brown Trout
- 3. Lake Trout
- 4. Cutthroat Trout
- 5. Rainbow Trout
- 6. Burbot (Freshwater
cod)
- 7. Mountain Whitefish
- 8. Northern Pike
- 9. Walleye
Source: www.AlbertaFishingGuide.com
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** angling industry value to economy
The sport fishing
industry is a multi- million dollar industry in Calgary
Counting the redds and
comparing the data from year-to-year can indicate the health of the aquatic ecosystem
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Why is the annual count important?
In addition to monitoring the aquatic health of the lower
Elbow River, as indicated by spawning activity;
To collect consistent data over time and analyze trends
relative to development, severe events, climate change, etc;
To encourage high school or university students to pursue
the field of aquatic biology (educationally and/or professionally); and
To educate adjacent landowners, recreational river-users
and government personnel involved in river management decisions; and
To provide some direction for land use & river development
decisions.
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**here? Count Chart to 2016??
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** Redd Location comparison year- to-year ??
**
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** Redd Location comparison year- to-year ??
**
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Redd Locations year-to-year
**
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Conclusions re data **
Shifting of small gravels further downstream ** Flood impacts,
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Questions to be answered **
** whirling disease ** water flow
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Why Brown Trout Redds? Fall spawning trout – how to know which redds are for Browns—do we care?**
Brown Trout: Golden brown or olive back & sides. Dark spots on sides &
- back. Red spots with bluish halos.
Brook Trout: Dark green back with pale wavy lines. Sides have a purple sheen with blue-haloed red spots. Lower fins have a black stripe behind a pale leading edge. Lake Trout: Grey with irregular white
- spots. During spawning season, the
fins near the tail become a pale orange.