Course Overview
This course provides an overview of freshwater restoration techniques used primarily to mitigate losses of salmonid habitat and stocks. The lectures cover the BC Watershed Restoration Program restoration strategies used in the Pacific Northwest, some of which are new and innovative, while others have been used extensively over the last 100 years. Aspects of this course include DFO and Provincial Water Act regulatory requirements for works in about a stream, boulder placement, the use of salmonid biostandards, fish passage, development of off-channel habitats, restoration of spawning habitat, in-stream woody debris placement and stream enrichment. The course includes 1/2 day field trips to North Vancouver to view degraded urban streams in various stages of restoration.
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Conceptualize salmonid spawning requirements in terms of basic design criteria and ecological requirements.
- Understand the BC Water Act and Fisheries Act requirements with respect to short term use of water and works in and about a stream.
- Evaluate where, when and how large-woody debris habitats used by fish in both main-channel and off-channel ecosystems should be constructed and how to apply proper sizing criteria for ballasting of single and triangular log-jams structures in streams of varying bank-full height and slope.
- Understand basic stream geomorphology and how this relates to restoration of salmonid habitat.
- Evaluate where, when and how boulder complexes should be constructed.
- Apply the objectives and criteria for designing off-channel salmonid rearing habitat.
- Understand stream baseline assessments, treatment assessments and commonly used methodologies for fertilization to restore fish production as implemented in BC.
- Understand safe use of log and rock drilling equipment, cabling and Hilti epoxy procedures for large wood placement.
- Understand safe practices for working in around rotary wing aircraft.
- Understand the use of salmonid biostandards.
Effective as of Fall 2015
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.