Appendix 5
Finlay Creek Wetlands Mapping and Inventory Project Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping (SHIM) Surveys
Report Prepared by: Drew Frizzell
For: Comox Valley Project Watershed Society Box 3007 Courtenay, BC V9N 5N3
December 1999
Finlay Creek Wetland & Associated Tributaries SHIM Report
Features of Interest, Rehabilitation, Restoration & Protection
Executive Summary Finlay Creek Wetland & Tributaries are located in the Regional District of Comox Strathcona. Situated in a basin midway between the headwaters of Finlay Creek, northwest of Huband Road and east of the Old Island Highway, and the confluence of Finlay Creek with Portuguese Creek, the wetland is fed by Finlay Creek’s main stem and a tributary created by storm drainage issuing from a storm sewer located at the northern most extension of Lerwick Road (tributary WP10). Vancouver Island Map showing location of Comox Valley Drainage from surrounding elevations also contributes to water levels in the wetland. The Finlay Creek Wetland is currently in a natural state, surrounding land is undeveloped forest. Potential impacts are at the time of this report limited to water quality issues emanating from storm drain discharge and disturbance due to human recreational use. This survey mapped and inventoried only portions of Finlay Creek. 1.2 km of tributaries issuing into and a portion discharging from the wetland were mapped. Though spawning habitat is limited, migratory fish continue to utilize Finlay Creek and the wetlands provide excellent juvenile habitat for both coho and trout. During 1999-2000 Comox Valley Project Watershed Society conducted a Sensitive Habitat & Inventory Mapping (SHIM) survey on Finlay Creek. The SHIM method combined Trimble Pro XR GPS, compass & chain mapping techniques with stream inventory data collection, resulting in geo-referenced lines and points with data for viewing in ArcView GIS. This report is the outcome of this survey and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying map of Finlay Creek. Restoration opportunities identified by this report include beaver dam management, improved opportunity for bio filtration on tributary WP10 through wetland construction and re-channeling of existing drainage, potential fish barrier removal and water quality testing. Conclusions indicated that Finlay Creek Wetland is a valuable component of the Finlay Creek Watershed, providing summer salmonid refuge and seasonal flow regulation and is, extensively used by fish and wildlife. Future development should take into account the environmental resource values identified in this report and ensure that these values are protected should development occur. Report Prepared by: Drew Frizzell, Comox Valley Project Watershed Society Date of Report: December 10, 1999 Date of Survey: December 2, 3, 7 1999
Comox Valley Project Watershed Society
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Finlay Creek Wetland & Associated Tributaries SHIM Report
Features of Interest, Rehabilitation, Restoration & Protection
Background The information presented in this report was gathered during the 1999-2000 field season of Project Watershed’s Watershed Mapping and Inventory Project sponsored by the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans Habitat Restoration and Salmon Enhancement Program, and Fisheries Renewal BC. Survey Summary Stream Gazette Name: Alias: Finlay Creek Watershed Code: – 920-553200-94100-09500-0000-0000Map locations: – 92F 076 1-1, 92F 076 1-3. Start Date of Survey: Dec 2, 1999 End Date of Survey: Dec 7, 1999 Stream Length Surveyed: 1.2 km Wetland Perimeter Surveyed: 1.0 km Purpose of Survey The streams inventoried were chosen because of a need to collect information for the following purposes: • updates to the Regional District of Comox Strathcona’s (RDCS) Sensitive Habitats Atlas • initiation of, or additions to, a set of “Streamkeepers Data” for the watershed • determining rehabilitation, restoration or protection opportunities for the watershed Methods The methodology used for this mapping/inventory project was “Stream Mapping Procedures for
Land-Use planning in Coastal Urban Watersheds” version 3.1, developed in December 1998 by Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Langley Environmental Partners Society, and Community Fisheries Development Center. List of Research Documents: • Referral/request from RDCS, • Cadastral and orthophoto atlas sheets, • Landowner contact forms
Overview The impetus for this project came from RDCS; the information is needed to assist with land use planning. There have been several studies undertaken in the past on Finlay Creek focusing on the mainstem and opportunities for restoration/enhancement. The major concern that led to this mapping study, was to accurately locate the perimeter of the wetland and feeder streams that drains lots DL 145 and DL 165 and part of Block 71. This assessment methods used include the collection of habitat assessment and riparian vegetation information. The study area in question can be broken down into three distinct reaches, and a few subreaches. Reach A extends from Cathy Crescent to the Wetland effluent point; Reach C extends from the wetland influent point to the boundary of DL 145 and Lot 23 of Plan 26823. Both reaches are channelized and mature salmon (spawners) were observed during surveys at several locations in these two reaches. Reach B includes the Finlay Creek Wetland itself, and the tributaries emanating from Block 71 (as sub-reaches of the wetland). Many species of birds Comox Valley Project Watershed Society
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Finlay Creek Wetland & Associated Tributaries SHIM Report
Features of Interest, Rehabilitation, Restoration & Protection
and a few animals were observed at the wetland during this survey. A partial barrier to fish passage (fence) exists at the upstream end of Reach #C. The majority of the water feeding this wetland comes from Finlay Creek mainstem and the lands surrounding the wetland. One tributary (WP 10) has its origins in the storm sewer network of the City of Courtenay, at the northernmost extension of Lerwick Rd. A settling pond marks the transition from the sewer network to open channelized stream. Rigorous water quality testing would help to determine the deleterious effects of this input to the Finlay Creek system. Substrate throughout the study area is very fine; small pockets of deposited gravel are found at a few points on tributary WP 10 only. Vegetation surrounding the channelized (stream) portions is typical of coastal mixed forests; the wetland riparian vegetation is largely aquatic and semi-aquatic plants as well as sedges and other grasses. Segment Descriptions Land use adjacent to Finlay wetland is commercial forest management by Raven Forest Products of Campbell River, B.C. Future real estate development/sale and harvest plans are not known at this time. Upstream and downstream from the study area, land use is primarily urban residential. Features of Interest, and Rehabilitation / Protection Opportunities for the Finlay Wetland and associated tributaries 9: This is a low-lying collection area; generalized ground water seepage from the southwest. The area exhibits wetland vegetative characteristics (Alder, Sedge, Hardhack, Skunk Cabbage, etc); flow is ephemeral and is not channelized. 10 : A critical point in the system – the mouth of a major tributary draining through Block 71 from the storm sewer outfall at the northernmost end of Lerwick Rd. Very shallow gradient suggests that deposition of suspended solid material carried by this tributary may be occurring at or near its point of entry to the Finlay wetland. 11: A beaver dam complex at the effluent point of the wetland. Recent beaver activity could not be confirmed, and the dam may need maintenance in future to ensure fish access and to avoid loss of wetland habitat values. 14: A critical point of this system – the entry point of a small tributary to the Finlay wetland. 21: Two 0.5m culverts cross the walking trail; one carries the tributary, while the other drains a small settling pond above the road, allowing water to rejoin the tributary after escaping the pond. This pond could be enlarged and deepened, and the tributary could be altered so that all of its water passed through the pond. In this way, biofiltration characteristics could be brought to bear to ensure that this water is entering Finlay wetland clean. 32: A partial obstruction of the channel is creating a potential barrier to fish migration. Historical modifications by the landowner at the boundary of his property include the addition of a fish fence between the “Top of Bank” and the bottom of the channel of Finlay Creek mainstem. At high water, this barrier is not very effective, as the flow exceeds the original banks of the creek. This barrier is not operating as an absolute barrier, but it is impeding fish passage to the upper Finlay Creek watershed. Comox Valley Project Watershed Society
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Finlay Creek Wetland & Associated Tributaries SHIM Report
Features of Interest, Rehabilitation, Restoration & Protection
46: TP 46 is a settling pond and TP 47 a storm sewer influent to this tributary and to the Finlay Creek system it feeds. Initial water quality testing was conducted by the survey field crew. However, suspected high levels of detergents, phosphates, nitrogen and other human chemical impacts were not detected by this testing. Rigorous sampling and interpretation would be needed, to anticipate long-term implications for the Finlay Creek system. A more comprehensive alternative to simple settling ponds should be considered here, if evidence of contaminants is discovered. Erosion of tributary channels is a distinct possibility immediately downstream from these locations, as ground cover vegetation is inadequate to perform soil retention. Conclusions In general, the wetland on Finlay Creek and the tributaries feeding into it, provide excellent opportunities for enhancement projects. The variety of plant and animal life within the wetland itself is remarkable; pressures from encroaching urban residential neighbourhoods and increased use of the trail system will threaten this diversity. The system currently supports salmon and trout, and efforts have been made to protect / maintain the resource values of the mainstem of Finlay Creek both upstream and downstream of the study area. A potential source of pollutants for this system is the storm sewer connection and settling pond mentioned above, which feed directly into one of its major tributaries. Recommendations/Priority Issues – 1. Recognition of buffer zones for riparian management along stream corridors and surrounding wetland perimeters, assisting in determining the most appropriate adjacent land use 2. Monitoring and interpretation of the quality of the water entering the system at one point in particular (WP10_TP47, (46 on map): please see above) 3. Removal or replacement of obstructions to fish passage 4. Maintenance/augmentation of Beaver Dam structure to withstand storm/flood events and stabilize the extent of the wetland perimeter at its current location
Comox Valley Project Watershed Society
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