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Waters
One thing that most of us know is that fish don't like dirty, silty water. Sedimentation
clouds the water so fish cannot see, it clogs their gills making it difficult for them to breathe, and
it cements the gravel stream bottom - preventing them from spawning. Humans too are often
impacted by sedimentation problems - especially when it ends up filling in beautiful new stream
channels which have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to create.
We have had significant sedimentation in Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek in the past,
mainly from upstream development and wash from gravel roads. We are also very concerned
about silting in the future. Most biologists and city planners say that some sedimentation is
inevitable in a growing city. Being aware of potential problems and devising solutions to such
problems before they occur is very important. The Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek Society is
developing plans for sediment control during their creek restoration project, to prevent silt from
the construction of new channels from reaching the Campbell River. The main problem with the
silt and sands, to humans, is the cost of removing it. Sediment traps and ponds can be very
expensive to clean.
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Since much of Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek's lower reaches are virtually a 0%
gradient, much of the excavated stream course is very sensitive to sediment build-up. As the fast
moving waters from higher in the watershed reach the lower gradient sections, the sediment load
tends to settle and remain in deep pool areas, causing a direct loss of fish habitat.
On the other hand, some settling of sediment in wetlands is natural - that is what the
lower, flatter areas do, settle and clean the waters. A delta is created completely out of sediment
from upstream. Nutrients from upstream are also carried down stream and settle out in wetlands
for the use of small fish and other marine animals. Problems arise when the entire stream
becomes clogged with loads of sediment that cannot be naturally filtered out by the system.
Anytime that you see a normally clear creek running muddy during a rainstorm, you are probably
looking at a stream that is being damaged by sediment.
You can help minimize this problem in Haig-Brown Kingfisher Creek, or any other
creek you may visit, by being aware of some of the sources of silt and sediment. Livestock
crossings, eroding stream banks, children playing in the creek, a lack of bank-stabilizing
vegetation, and improper land-filling procedures are just a few preventable factors which
contribute to sediment loading and the destruction of fish habitat. So please get out and enjoy
your local stream, but remember how easy it is to damage it.
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