Rock slide in Fraser River, B.C., may hinder salmon passage

Pacific Salmon Commision Report for Aug 23, 2019

The Fraser River Panel (Panel) met today to review assessment data on Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon. Despite the small increase in the Early Summer and Summer-run run size earlier in the week the current in-season Panel-adopted total run size of 557,000 remains lower than the lowest run size on record of 858,000 observed in 2016.

The landslide at Big Bar continues to be a major source of concern for the Panel as migrating sockeye salmon will need to pass this area to reach their spawning grounds. It is estimated that about 117,600 sockeye will have reached the Big Bar site as of August 22 based on abundances observed at Mission. Since August 12, limited numbers of Chinook have been able to migrate past the slide using the natural fish way created through rock manipulations. In addition 31,625 salmon (25,108 sockeye and 6,517 Chinook salmon) have been transported upstream from the slide via helicopter but only 52% of those transported are able to successfully resume migration. As a result of the restricted natural passage of Chinook and the helicopter transport, a total of 22,334 sockeye and Chinook salmon have now been estimated at the hydroacoustic site, 40 km upstream of the Big Bar site. Thus far, no natural passage of sockeye salmon has been detected. Efforts continue to improve natural fish passage through further rock manipulations and once road construction has concluded, salmon relocation efforts will be increased through additional truck transport using aerated holding tanks.

https://www.psc.org/download/598/2019/11877/august-23-2019-2.pdf
 
So are we looking at brood stock options?
That's great the water has dropped and the fish can make it past...or at least Chinook.

We should be looking at a worst case scenario by what DFO has told us.
Is DFO taking worst case scenario actions?

Do not kid yourself....we will be looking at a complete closure possibly for the saltwater! How else can there be no netting next spring to save these fish returning.

I still.cant wrap my mind around that no fly bys or anything didn't happen between last fall till June. The area is not even that remote. In a day and even If satelites and drones etc...

Is this DFOs mandate to zero?
 
GLG said:
Aug 22, 2019 Big Bar Landslide update

• There is now evidence that limited numbers of chinook have been able to naturally migrate past the slide using the channels created through rock manipulation. The creation of a natural fish passage is the best way to ensure the maximum number of salmon are able to reach their spawning grounds.

• Rocks continue to be strategically placed to create a series of pools, short drops, and back eddies so the salmon can migrate upstream.

• Additionally, the acoustic monitoring station, located a full day’s migration above the slide, shows larger numbers of fish than can be accounted for by helicopter transport alone.

Salmon Transported by Helicopter
Daily Total Sockeye: 1,958 Chinook: 421
Total to Date Sockeye: 22,711 Chinook: 6,119

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/p..._update_big_bar_landslide_incident_aug_22.pdf
Click to expand...
Kudos to the rock scalers and the whole team at the slide. Looks like chinook now have some access to areas above the slide. Hopefully, falling water levels and continued rock manipulation will improve access for sockeye in the near future.
 
Aug 23, 2019 Big Bar Landslide update

• There is now evidence that some salmon are able to use the natural fish passage. As of August 20, 2019, a rough estimate of 6,700 salmon have passed through the slide on their own. In recent days our acoustic monitoring station, located a full day’s migration above the slide, shows larger numbers of fish than what can be accounted for by helicopter transport alone. We also have visual evidence and radio tagging data to support this conclusion. A natural fish passage is the best way to ensure the maximum number of salmon are able to reach their spawning grounds, and this remains the focus and priority of our operations.

• The Unified Incident Command continues to increase the number of resources to assist with the capturing, monitoring and transport of salmon. A second fish wheel from the Kitsumkalum First Nation and an additional seining crew from the Gitxsan Watershed Authority are being added to the operations. This new seine crew is comprised of First Nations from other parts of British Columbia and two commercial fishermen. A fish wheel is a device situated in a river that operates similarly to a watermill to catch fish. Once these fish are caught they are transported and released upstream by helicopter. Seining crews use large nets and work along the river’s shore to capture fish for transport.

Salmon Transported by Helicopter
Daily Total Sockeye: 2,397 Chinook: 398
Total to Date Sockeye: 25,108 Chinook: 6,517

https://www2.gov.bc.ca//assets/gov/..._update_big_bar_landslide_incident_aug_23.pdf
 
Just have a few questions hope some can answer

Are these two rocks just above the BB slide ?
Are they placed rocks or have they been there for years and years?
Can anyone comment on condition of the Chinook do they tipically look that dark for this time of year this far away from their spawning grounds . Just wondering if they have been maturing below the slide waiting and are now too exhausted/mature to make it to their spawning grounds.
How many more KM average from BB slide do the chinook have to travel to their spawning grounds?

Thx Scott

GLG said:
Progress!
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Click to expand...
 
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ITs basically to little too late for Spring 5-2 that were destined to migrate above the slide (not all them are migrating above). Some of these runs were already down to 100 or less individual spawners. The Fat lady has basically sung. What will be interesting in the future as white buck points out is how this will be managed every 4 years from now. To keep the nets out of the Fraser, they said they need to close down the ocean. So unless that management is changed be prepared for similar regulations to this year and i would not count on C&R in the future.

There is a very high likelihood that for some of these streams no chinook will return this year.

upload_2019-8-24_11-18-12.png


upload_2019-8-24_11-20-9.png
 
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Hey WMY. Im just curious why if the chinook are able to move through now, that you would say its too late?
 
Sino said:
Hey WMY. Im just curious why if the chinook are able to move through now, that you would say its too late?
Click to expand...

because a good portion of them should be on their spawning grounds spawning by now. As Dave and others have said even if they make it the likelihood of spawning success at this point is pretty low. Were talking about some stocks that started to enter the fraser in April. These stocks already get beat to hell in hells gate waiting for water levels to lower during spring freshet.

Remember the First Fish was not moved till july 20th. That first 30 days was a very critical period for lots of stocks. Also its not like they were moving first fish that arrived their there were just grabbing what ever fish they could. So now it's August 24 and some natural passage has started.

Yeah it's too late for some stocks, RIP

upload_2019-8-24_16-16-49.png
 
Hopefully these stocks can still trickle through. However as stated above most of these were already in trouble before the slide. The implications of the slide this year year will have long standing restrictions in the years to come.

GLG, any new drone footage?
I emailed weeks ago about plans for increased hatchery production in the upper tributaries and am still waiting for a response.
Hopefully our FN will be holding DFO accountable for this mess
 
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Aug 24, 2019 Big Bar Landslide update

• There have been over 100 ideas submitted to the Big Bar Incident Command that could aid in this response. These ideas are organized into four categories: fish handling, capture and transport, health, hydrology and engineering, and innovation and are continually being reviewed and evaluated by experts. Many submissions or variations of ideas have been used or are in the progress of being used. For more information on the innovative ideas implemented at the Big Bar Landslide, please visit the website.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/p...andslide-2019/19_71w20ay_innovation_ideas.pdf

• The field camp was established on August 16, 2019 and is located near the site of the incident. There are currently 68 personnel working at the landslide and staying in camp. They are working in the river, on shore and in the air and are from First Nations, Federal and Provincial governments. Some of these groups include the seining crews, fish wheel operators, welders, logistic officers, and wildland firefighters. This week, the Unified Incident Commanders visited the camp and collectively acknowledged the hard work that’s being done out in the field.

Salmon Transported by Helicopter
Daily Total Sockeye: 2,345 Chinook: 345
Total to Date Sockeye: 27,453 Chinook: 6,862

https://www2.gov.bc.ca//assets/gov/..._update_big_bar_landslide_incident_aug_24.pdf
 
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Aug 25, 2019 Big Bar Landslide update

• While some natural fish passage has been observed this week, the Big Bar Landslide continues to be a dynamic situation with shifting conditions and challenges. It takes a large and varied group of people, including experts in biology, engineering, hydrology, aviation, water transportation, heavy machinery and support staff to oversee and execute the operations on site. There are now almost 120 people dedicated to the response between the Incident Command Post in Lillooet, at the landslide itself, at fish capture and monitoring sites along the Fraser River, and at the crew camp established near the slide site.

• Personnel from the Incident Command Post connected with local residents and tourists at an information booth at the Lillooet Farmer’s Market on Friday the 23rd. Over 80 people visited the booth and asked questions and shared their thoughts on the incident. It was a very positive experience and the local community seemed happy with the work being done.

• Until recently, most salmon that have arrived near the site have been chinook and sockeye, but small numbers of both pink and coho salmon have been observed recently. As fish numbers increase, efforts will continue to monitor their progress, provide transport via helicopter and truck (once road construction is completed), and establish artificial and natural fish passage past the landslide.

Salmon Transported by Helicopter
Daily Total Sockeye: 1,596 Chinook: 243
Total to Date Sockeye: 29,049 Chinook: 7,105

https://www2.gov.bc.ca//assets/gov/..._update_big_bar_landslide_incident_aug_25.pdf
 
August 26, 2019

News Release For Immediate Distribution

PARTIAL NATURAL FISH PASSAGE ACHIEVED AT THE BIG BAR LANDSLIDE LILLOOET, BC – The Unified Command (UC) for the Big Bar Landslide is officially confirming that the first stage of its number one priority of the Government to Government to Government response to the total obstruction on the Fraser River has been reached. Fish counting data is showing that some limited natural passage through the slide obstruction on the Fraser River has been established for salmon migrating northwards.

This is a significant and hopeful step forward; however, a tremendous amount of work still needs to be done before all fish can transit above the slide. Successful passage is highly dependent on water levels, and lower flows improve our ability to make additional progress. While operations to create stable, long-term natural passage move forward, the successful helicopter transfer work continues. First Nations’ technical knowledge in fish capture—from beach seining crews to a second fish wheel—underpins the operation that, to date, has led to the helicopter transport of over 39,000 salmon past the slide.

From the very beginning of the operation, the re-establishment of natural passage for migrating stocks was identified as the best way to ensure the maximum number of salmon are able to reach their spawning grounds, and as the priority objective for the Unified Federal, Provincial and First Nations response.

Unified Command now has scientifically verified evidence that some Chinook have been able to swim past the Big Bar landslide using the channels created by large rock manipulation and blasting. As of August 20, 2019, a rough estimate of 6,700 salmon have passed through the slide on their own. Estimates will continue to be updated as more data is gathered and analyzed.

Project staff will be on site until long-term, stable natural fish passage has been achieved. Work on the passageway is proceeding as quickly as is safely possible; additional personnel and equipment are arriving as required to aid in the response as needs arise, and operations and conditions are progressing.

The landslide could directly or indirectly affect the ecosystem and other species dependent on the salmon’s survival. The inability of Chinook, Sockeye, Coho and Pink salmon to migrate above the landslide area this year, and in future years, could result in significant negative ecological, economic, and cultural impacts to all British Columbians and people throughout the region. Salmon are critical to Indigenous communities for food, social and ceremonial needs, and the slide has the potential to impact most Indigenous communities in BC. That is why the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and First Nations are working together to explore and address every avenue possible to enable passage for salmon above the landslide and are committed to conducting operations until this is achieved for this year, and for future years.

- 30 -

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/p...y_news_release_salmon_passage_26_aug_2019.pdf
 
Aug 27, 2019 Big Bar Landslide update

• While our work to date has restored natural passage for some salmon, different strategies are continuously being evaluated and considered to expand operations and get as many fish as possible past the obstruction. An additional method of fishing known as dip netting, a traditional First Nations technique, will undergo a feasibility assessment today. This will involve placing personnel on a boat located where the river narrows and dipping a wide net with a long pole into the water to retrieve fish.

• Yesterday, a helicopter was able to long-line sections of a fish ladder to the base of the cliff adjacent to the slide site. The operation was highly successful due to optimal weather conditions. Additional rock work needs to occur before the ladder components are assembled and operational.

• Salmon transport operations are going to increase with the use of ground vehicles to supplement the use of helicopter transport of fish. Road construction is projected to be completed this week. Transport vehicles such as flatbeds and rock trucks are currently being modified to carry salmon holding tanks.

Salmon Transported by Helicopter
Daily Total Sockeye: 2,751 Chinook: 276
Total to Date Sockeye: 34,050 Chinook: 7,631

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/p..._update_big_bar_landslide_incident_aug_27.pdf
 
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