Big Benefits with Low
Impacts
By Damien Barstead
When carrying out a project, like the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek Restoration
Project, it is only natural that all of the construction be done in a way that makes the most sense
ecologically. This includes both the design of the new channel, and the methodology behind its
construction. In the case of the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek, this type of planning serves at
least two major roles: to create a natural functioning stream course using the least amount of
high-priced materials possible, and to preserve the surrounding ecology in the Haig-Brown
Greenways' lands.
The results of these two planning goals can already be seen at the creek. One of the
most noticeable results has been the ingenious use of large woody debris (LWD) in the creek.
The large woody debris that is being used in one pool in particular came from locations near the
present stream channel. A large pool near Campbellton Elementary contains two pieces of LWD
that may prove to be more beneficial than plain dead wood would be. The smaller of the two is a
Willow tree root-wad that has been placed in the middle of the pool. Willows are extremely
hardy and tend to take root and grow very easily. No one is sure, but since there is a little bit of
live growth on the wad, it is hoped that this knotty piece of wood may actually root into the
bottom of the pool and establish itself as a willow shrub for added fish habitat. The other piece
of LWD is a Spruce Log, about 60cm in diameter near its base, which was spotted and pulled
from the bush only a few meters away from the pool itself. As well as being a useful piece of
LWD, this log is supporting other life. A small alder tree growing on the log was preserved
during its transition. It is hoped that this tree will survive and grow into a larger mature alder
tree that will shade the pool for years to come.
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Background:
Old dead spruce log giving
life
to a young alder.
Foreground:
Willow root-wad that has a chance
at taking root in its new
home.
Both have been salvaged
from the neighbouring woods.
These are just two examples of how a little on-site planning can help the project.
There have been many other circumstances where the use of existing materials and landscape
has helped keep the project rolling along. Cutting the channel around healthy trees, rather than
clearing them, is just another example. As well, access ditches being dug into existing wetlands
will provide added fish habitat, and using clay that has been excavated in some earlier works to
line the creek bed further upstream will also save time and money. The project is even recycling
unemployed fisheries workers by hiring them as labour for the project.
As the previous Operations Supervisor Dan Bernard explained, there have been
similar projects to this one in the past, but there have been none on quite the same scale as the
Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek Project. The size of this project has indeed attracted much
attention, as it should. Hopefully, communities around other creeks, which have been impacted
by both urban and industrial development, can use the Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek Restoration
Project as a role model for improving and re-creating their valuable fish habitat. If this could be
accomplished, without having to add any further stress to the very sensitive wetland ecology that
already exists, a further feat will have been achieved.
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