The Campbell River Salmon Foundation will be placing spawning gravel in the upper Campbell River Aug. 7-10.
To place the gravel, a ramp will be built into the river from the trail near the outhouse on the Canyon View trail – just upstream of the Catalyst mill pumphouse (left side of the river when you are looking downstream).
Spawning gravel will be placed using an excavator in the mainstem of the Campbell River, from just opposite the top end of Second Island to about 70 metres upstream.
Due to safety concerns, access to the river upstream of the project will be restricted for three to four days while equipment is placing gravel. The Canyon View Trail will remain open; however users will be re-routed or may be delayed as trucks cross the trail to deliver gravel to the river.
Gravel will be delivered using the logging road bridge and the road into the Catalyst Pumphouse so the public is asked to exercise caution in these areas as well. The trail along Elk Falls #3 channel will be closed August 7-10.
This project is being led by the Campbell River Salmon Foundation (CRSF) with funds provided by CRSF and the Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program (FWCP), a BC Hydro initiative to address issues on watersheds with BC Hydro facilities. The project will restore some of the areas historically used by the Campbell River chinook salmon and will provide an additional 1,000 - 1,500 m2 of spawning habitat, sufficient to support 100-150 pairs of returning adults. Much of the lower river is lacking the gravel qualities and quantities that spawning Chinook prefer. Three hydro-electric dams and reservoirs constructed over 50 years ago and the flows over the years have resulted in gravel washed downstream and out of prime spawning areas. With no new gravel able to move from the upper watershed of the Campbell River to the salmon spawning area, a plan to replenish the spawning habitat through periodic additions has been implemented.
Any questions regarding this project should go to Mike Gage, chair, Campbell River Salmon Foundation at (250) 287-4368.