Reconaissance 1:20,000 Inventory of Lukwa Lake

Reconnaissance 1:20,000 Inventory of

Lukwa Lake

Watershed Code: 920-627900-25000 Waterbody ID: 00169CAMB

Prepared for

BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Vancouver Island Region 2080-A Labieux Road

Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J9

by

MJ Lough & Associates

608 Bruce Avenue Nanaimo, BC

V9R 3Y7

SE Hay, SE Rutherford and MJ Lough

March 2000

Project Reference Information

MELP Project Number: IVNOI103N FRBC Project Number: PA96163 IN/TR FDIS Project Number: 01-SALM-9200-9840-1998 FRBC Region: Vancouver Region MELP Region: 01 MELP District: Campbell River FW Management Unit: 1-6 Fisheries Planning Unit: Campbell Oyster Forest Region: 01 Forest District: Campbell River

Watershed Information

Watershed Group: Campbell Watershed Code: 920-627900-25000 Sequence Number: 01 Waterbody Identifier: 00169CAMB UTM at Lake Outlet: 10.325374.5537797 Number of Tributaries: 1 TRIM outlet Magnitude: 0 Elevation: 280 m NTS Map: 92F/14 TRIM Map: 92F.093 Biogeoclimatic Zone: CWHxm1 Air Photos: BCB91039: 73

Lake Sampling Summary

Lake Survey Type: Primary (97 RIC Standards) EMS Number: E225636 Water Surface Area: 81683.06 m2

Maximum Depth: 9.9 m Mean Depth: 3.44 m Secchi Depth: 7 m Volume: 215587.53 m3

Area above 6 m Contour 68202.09 m2

Shoreline Perimeter: 1458 m Lake Length: 600 m Number of Islands: 0

Contractor Information

Project Manager: MJ Lough, RPBio 608 Bruce Avenue, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 3Y7 (250) 755-1283 Sub-contractor: SE Hay & Associates 1671 Juniper Drive, Campbell River, BC, V9W 6W8 (250) 926-0005 Sub-contractor: RB Rollins & Associates 2571 Musgrave Street, Victoria, BC, V8R 5Y3 (250) 592-1355 Field crew: SE Rutherford, MP McCulloch, C Quatell Data entry by: SE Hay Report prepared by: SE Hay Report edited by MJ Lough, SE Rutherford Maps prepared by: Pacific Spatial Systems Limited Box 233, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5K9 (250) 756-0931 GIS services: SRM-Levelton 202 Harbour Road, Victoria, BC, V9A 3S1 (250) 920-9900 Water Chemistry Philip Analytical Services Corporation conducted by: 8577 Commerce Court, Burnaby, BC, V5A 4N5 (604) 444-4808 Aging sample MJ Lough & Associates analysis by: 608 Bruce Avenue, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 3Y7 (250) 755-1283 Genetic samples S Pollard, Fish Geneticist submitted to: Conservation Section, BC Fisheries PO Box 9359, Station Provincial Government Victoria, BC, V8W 9M2 Voucher Specimens AE Peden submitted to: Liparis Biological Services 1555 Mount Douglas Cross Roads Victoria, BC, V8N 1Z9 (250) 721-4356

Disclaimer The Province of BC has not accepted the contents of this product for the purposes of the Forest Practices Code, and reserves the right to dispute the validity of summarized results. The Province of BC does not necessarily agree with the classification, assigned to any individual stream reach, for use in logging plans, silviculture prescriptions or any other application. Acknowledgments Forest Renewal BC provided funding for this inventory.

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Project Scope and Objectives.............................................................................................. 1

1.2 Location ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.2.1 Access ......................................................................................................................... 1

2.0 Resource Information............................................................................................................. 3

2.1 Native Issues ....................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Development and Land Use ................................................................................................ 3 2.2.1 Logging ........................................................................................................................ 3 2.2.2 Recreation ................................................................................................................... 3

2.3 Water Quality ....................................................................................................................... 4

2.4 Wildlife.................................................................................................................................. 4

2.5 Fisheries .............................................................................................................................. 4

2.6 Inlets and Outlets ................................................................................................................. 4 3.0 Methods ................................................................................................................................... 4

3.1 Standards............................................................................................................................. 4

3.2 Procedures and Equipment ................................................................................................. 5 3.2.1 Bathymetry................................................................................................................... 5 3.2.2 Limnology..................................................................................................................... 5 3.2.3 Stream Fish Samples .................................................................................................. 6 3.2.4 Lake Fish Samples ...................................................................................................... 6 3.2.5 Fish Age and Growth ................................................................................................... 6 3.2.6 Photodocumentation.................................................................................................... 6 3.2.7 Stream Site Sampling .................................................................................................. 6 3.2.8 Digital Mapping ............................................................................................................ 6

4.0 Results and Discussion ......................................................................................................... 7

4.1 Logistics ............................................................................................................................... 7

4.2 Immediate Shoreline............................................................................................................ 7

4.3 Terrain.................................................................................................................................. 7

4.4 Aquatic Flora........................................................................................................................ 8

4.5 Site Location Summary........................................................................................................ 8

4.6 Bathymetry......................................................................................................................... 11

4.7 Limnological Sampling....................................................................................................... 11

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4.8 Inlets and Outlets ............................................................................................................... 11

4.9 Fish .................................................................................................................................... 13 4.9.1 Fish Sample Summary .............................................................................................. 13 4.9.2 Fish Age, Size and Life History ................................................................................. 13 4.9.3 Fish and Fish Habitat Comments .............................................................................. 13

4.9.3.1 Fisheries Sensitive Zones .................................................................................14 4.9.3.2 Restoration and Rehabilitation Opportunities....................................................14

4.9.4 Sport Fishery Comments ........................................................................................... 14

4.10 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 14 5.0 Cited References...................................................................................................................15 6.0 Personal Communications...................................................................................................15 7.0 Additional References ..........................................................................................................16 List of Appendices

Appendix 1 Lake Survey Form

Appendix 2 Lake Water Chemistry Analysis Appendix 3 Fish Data Collection Form Appendix 4 FDIS Reach/Site Summary Report and Site Photographs Appendix 5 Lake Photographs Appendix 6 Bathymetric Map E-size List of Figures

Figure 1 Location of Lukwa Lake Figure 2 Location of macrophyte communities Figure 3 Location of sample sites and features Figure 4 Location of depth sounding transects Figure 5 Bathymetric map A-size List of Tables

Table 1 Lukwa Lake survey site location and description Table 2 Lukwa Lake inlet and outlet streams Table 3 Summary of fish sampling in Lukwa Lake Table 4 Summary of fish sampling in tributaries of Lukwa Lake List of Attachments Available at the MELP office

Attachment 1 Photo documentation

Attachment 2 Digital data Attachment 3 Copies of original reference material Attachment 4 Phase 2 planning document Attachment 5 Original field data forms and notes Attachment 6 Aerial photographs

Attachment 7 Microfiche prints of fish scales Attachment 8 DNA, voucher, otolith spreadsheet Attachment 9 Interpretive maps

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Reconnaissance Lake Inventory - Lukwa Lake ______________________________________________________________________________________

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Project Scope and Objectives This report documents the findings of a 1:20,000 Fish and Fish Habitat Reconnaissance Survey conducted on Lukwa Lake (Waterbody ID 00169CAMB), a small lake in the Campbell River Watershed. MJ Lough and Associates surveyed the lake on August 18-19, 1997 as part of the Sayward Landscape Unit Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory Project that was conducted between 1996 and 1998. The primary objectives of this inventory project are: • to provide essential fish and fish habitat information required for resource planning.

This information will be used to guide fisheries management decisions and assist in the lake classification process according to the BC Forest Practices Code.

• to establish the "normal high water mark" of lakes to help with the identification and mapping of the riparian reserve zone for lakes in the study area.

1.2 Location • Lukwa Lake is located on Vancouver Island, approximately 14 km southwest of the

town of Campbell River and 5 km northeast of the Quinsam Coal mine site. Lukwa Lake flows north into Campbell Lake, which empties into Campbell River and eventually enters the Pacific Ocean in Discovery Passage (Figure 1).

1.2.1 Access Directions to Lukwa Lake from Campbell River are as follows: • Take Highway 28 (Gold River Highway) from the Campbell River bridge in

Campbellton west for 17.5 km (paved 2-lane highway). • Turn left on Argonaunt Road (the major haul road to the Quinsam Coal mine) and

drive southwest for 1.6 km until you see the sign to the Campbell River Gun Club on your left.

• Turn left on this road (gated 2 wheel drive gravel road) and drive northeast 400 m to a fork in the road.

• Take the right fork and continue for 500 m and park at the first pull off. • Lukwa Lake is 250 m to the east, through the bush.

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Figure 1 Arrow indicates the location of Lukwa Lake on excerpt from NTS map 92 F/14

(scale 1:50,000)

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2.0 Resource Information

2.1 Native Issues • Lukwa Lake is included in the traditional claims to land title by the Campbell River

and Cape Mudge Bands. The Kwakiutl Laich-kwill-Tach Council of Chiefs represents these and other bands in land claim issues, and have included the area in their Statement of Intent documents which were accepted by the BC Treaty Commission in February, 1997. Negotiations with the Federal and Provincial governments are currently proceeding through the BC Treaty Commission (Armstrong, pers. comm.).

2.2 Development and Land Use

2.2.1 Logging • The primary resource based activity in the vicinity of Lukwa Lake is logging. Most of

the forested land in the region was logged in the early to mid 1900's (BCMOF-CRD undated). Extensive logging has resulted in a network of old railway grades and gravel roads in the area.

• In 1938, 38,000 hectares of forest from Campbell River to Courtenay was destroyed in the Bloedel Forest Fire (BCMOF-CRD Undated. Lukwa Lake was one of many lakes located within the burn area.

• Both Crown and private land surround Lukwa Lake. TimberWest holds title to Block 325 (32ha) which encompasses three quarters of the Lukwa Lake shoreline; the area south of the lake outlet (BCMOF-CRD 1998). The land around the northern tip of the lake and bordering Block 325 is Provincial land managed by the BC Ministry of Forests (MOF), Campbell River District.

• In 1996, the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP), under a 20-year land tenure agreement, granted the Campbell River Gun Club permission to build and operate a clubhouse and several shooting ranges on 15 ha of Crown land bordering Block 325 (McNeill pers. comm.). In 1997, prior to the Gun Club taking possession of the land, MOF through the Small Business Forest Enterprises Program had the area logged.

• The MOF Sayward Provincial Forest 1998-2002 Forest Development Plan (BCMOF-CRD 1998) indicate that no logging or road construction is planned on Crown land near Lukwa Lake.

• TimberWest Forest company reports no road development or cutting is planned in Block 325 for the next 5 years (Veitch pers. comm.).

2.2.2 Recreation • There are no camping facilities at Lukwa Lake but the Campbell River Gun Club is

constructing a clubhouse and several shooting ranges on land adjacent to Lukwa Lake.

• The biophysical feature code for Lukwa Lake and the surrounding area, from the MOF Recreation Resource Inventory Map 92F/14, is E3 R1 M2 (D2). This classification describes the terrain as containing small surface waters surrounded by

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conifer forest and exposed bedrock, which have a limited ability to attract recreation use. It further stipulates that normal forest management practices are adequate to maintain recreation values. Currently hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and canoeing are the major recreational pursuits in the region (Oyster River 1987).

2.3 Water Quality • MELP Lake Inventory files show that no previous studies have been performed at

Lukwa Lake (BCMELP-FB-VIR 1996).

2.4 Wildlife • Lukwa Lake is in the Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone (British

Columbia 1996) which is reported to be potentially the most productive region on Vancouver Island for blacktail deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) and Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) (Diggle and Addison 1977).

2.5 Fisheries • MELP Lake Inventory files show no record of any previous fish inventories of Lukwa

Lake (BCMELP-FB-VIR 1996).

2.6 Inlets and Outlets • MELP Lake Inventory files show no record of any previous inventories of Lukwa Lake

(BCMELP-FB-VIR 1996). • Although the outlet stream of Lukwa Lake has not been surveyed, it is been

designated as “fish-bearing” on the MOF Forest Development Plan, which is based on the stream's gradient of less than 20% (BCMOF-CRD 1998).

3.0 Methods

3.1 Standards This survey was generally conducted according to standards described in the British Columbia Resources Inventory Committee (RIC) Manual Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Standards and Procedures (BCMELP-FB-IU 1997). The services contract details changes made to these standards for the inventory of Lukwa Lake, which include the following: • All study lakes and stream sample sites were specified in the service contract, and

were not selected according to the lake sampling procedures described in the 1997 RIC Standards.

• This lake was larger than 5 hectares and was surveyed to Primary Lake Standards as described in the RIC manual.

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• Reach surveys were conducted at the first reach of all inlet streams and the reach of the outlet stream immediately below the lake.

• Mapping standards stipulate that only the streams indicated on Terrain Resource Information Management 1:20,000 (TRIM) maps are to be mapped in the provincial GIS database. Non-TRIM streams appear in this report, but are only indicated on the GIS maps with a “tributary” symbol and sample site location.

• The 1997 Field Data Information System (FDIS) Lake Survey Form, Site Card and Fish Collection Form were used for data collection. The Site Card data was entered into FDIS (version 4.2) and the Fish Collection Form data was entered into FISHCOLL using and IBM compatible PC. The Lake Survey Form data was not entered into a database because the data entry tool had not yet been developed.

• A single, integrated water sample for laboratory analysis was collected prior to thermal stratification of the lake. Additional field limnology data was collected during the lake survey in the late summer.

• The target sample size of sport fish at each lake was 30 fish per species, lake and tributary samples combined.

The Sayward Landscape Unit Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory Phase 2 Report refines the project objectives and describes the project plan (Attachment 4).

3.2 Procedures and Equipment

3.2.1 Bathymetry • A 3 m inflatable raft with a 2 horsepower outboard motor was used to conduct

sounding transects for bathymetric mapping. A Lowrance X-16 recording depth sounder (Lowrance Electronics Inc., Tulsa, OK) was used at a boat speed of one meter/second to record sounding plots of the lake. Field data was then digitized and plotted by Pacific Spatial Systems Limited, using PC ARC/INFO and an ARCVIEW custom developed extension program.

3.2.2 Limnology • Water chemistry samples for lab analysis were collected on March 12, 1997, during

the period when lake nutrients were expected to be evenly mixed and most representative of the lake’s character. To further minimize any effects of stratification, a single incremental water sample was collected at the deepest part of the lake. A hose (2.5 cm in diameter) was lowered from a boat to within 1 m of the lake bottom, sealed, then brought to the surface. The contents were then emptied into a bucket, and the water samples collected from the bucket. Water samples were immediately shipped via courier to Philip Analytical Services (Vancouver) for analysis.

• Field water chemistry was measured when the lab sample was collected and again during the lake survey on August 18-19, 1997. A Hanna Instruments Model HI 9024C pH meter (Hanna Instruments Inc., Wainsocket, RI) was used to measure pH at the surface; and a YSI Model 85-10 Temp/DO meter (YSI Inc. Yellow Springs OH) with a 30 m probe, recorded the temperature, dissolved oxygen and specific conductance profile of the lake. Total alkalinity was measured using a Lamotte field titration kit (Lamotte Co., Chestertown, MD). A standard Limnology Secchi Disc (Wildco, Saginaw, MI) was used to obtain turbidity and water color information.

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3.2.3 Stream Fish Samples • A 3-person field crew used electrofishing and visual observations to collect fish

information on August 18-19, 1997. Open site electrofishing was conducted using a Smith-Root Model 12B-backpack electrofisher (Smith-Root Inc, Vancouver, WA).

3.2.4 Lake Fish Samples • Fish sampling was conducted on August 18-19, 1997 using a combination of

gillnetting and minnow trapping. A 91.5 m long by 2.4 m deep sinking gillnet made up of standard gillnet gangs was set in the afternoon and then reset overnight. Baited minnow traps were set in a variety of lake habitats.

3.2.5 Fish Age and Growth • No age and growth analysis was done because no fish were caught.

3.2.6 Photodocumentation • Photographs were taken with a Pentax ME 35 mm single lens reflex camera

(cameras #1 and #3), an Olympus AF-10, 35 mm camera (camera #2), and a Yashica Microtec 35 mm camera (camera #4).

3.2.7 Stream Site Sampling • A 50 m tape, meter stick and hip chain were used for all depth and length

measurements of stream channels and obstructions. A Suunto clinometer was used for measuring stream gradients. Field water chemistry measurements included temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance (YSI 85-10), pH (Hanna 9024C) and total alkalinity (Lamotte Titration Kit).

3.2.8 Digital Mapping • GIS Interpretive Maps were produced by SRM-Levelton according to MELP

Standards for Fish and Fish Habitat Mapping Version 2.0 (BCMOF-FIS 1998) (Attachments).

• Digital 1:20,000 maps were created from the FDIS, FISHCOLL and DFO/MOE Stream Survey databases plotted on TRIM linework.

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4.0 Results and Discussion

4.1 Logistics • Reach identification and numbers were not available for the Campbell Watershed

when this lake survey was conducted. Reach breaks for the reaches adjacent to Lukwa Lake were established using TRIM maps and air photos, then verified in the field. The reach numbering for this survey is therefore independent of the rest of the watershed. The sample site furthest downstream (in this case the first reach of the outlet stream below Lukwa Lake) was labeled arbitrarily as Reach 99. The lake was therefore Reach 100 and the first reach of the inlet is 101.

• Vehicle access on the gated MOF logging road is only possible to within 250 m of Lukwa Lake. Keys to the gate can be obtained from MOF in Campbell River, the Campbell River Gun Club, or TimberWest Forest Company.

• There is no vehicle access to Lukwa Lake so the 2-person field crew packed the survey equipment into the lake on foot.

• During the field survey, a non-TRIM inlet stream to Lukwa Lake was discovered. A Site Card was completed for the first reach of this tributary, but fish sampling was not performed due to insufficient flows.

4.2 Immediate Shoreline • The shoreline of Lukwa Lake is regular with no deep indentations or shallow bays.

There are no cliffs, rocky outcroppings or islands in the basin area. • The perimeter of the lake is a floating peat bog, surrounded above the high water line

by bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), salal (Gaultheria shallon), hardhack (Spiraea douglasii ssp. douglasii) and Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum). This is rimmed by a mixed second growth coniferous forest of predominantly Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii ssp. menziesii) (Appendix 5).

• Logs, square-end remnants from past logging and natural blowdown, were floating perpendicular to the shoreline around the entire lake.

• The inshore depth around the lake perimeter does not increase gradually, but drops off abruptly 1 to 2 meters due to the large peat bog rafts extending off shore.

• The lake bottom is composed of soft organic fines.

4.3 Terrain • Lukwa Lake is a glacial piedmont lake surrounded by gently rolling hills that are

characteristic of the eastern coastal plain of Vancouver Island. It lies in a shallow depression with a drainage axis running south to north.

• Forested land surrounding Lukwa Lake has regenerated in 41 to 60-year-old Douglas fir, western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and western redcedar (Thuja plicata). A small layered stand of old growth Douglas fir (age 250+) remains along the east lakeshore (Sayward Forest 1998).

• A ridge paralleling the east shoreline rises 100 m above the lake and slopes steeply to the lake edge.

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• Willow (Salix spp.) and red alder (Alnus rubra) were evident along the banks of the outlet.

4.4 Aquatic Flora • Sweet gale (Myrica gale), the most abundant emergent vegetation on the lake,

extended from the timber to the edge of the open water (Figure 2). • Sedge (Carex spp.) interspersed with rushes (Juncus spp.) were present along the

mid west shore. • Yellow pond lily (Nuphar polysepalum) and watershield (Brasenia schreberi) were

abundant in inshore areas adjacent to the north, west and south shores. • Several small communities of clasping-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton richardsonii)

were growing in 2 to 3 meter depths in the north arm and along the southeast shore. • Greater bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) was observed floating off the bottom in the

north and south arms of the lake.

4.5 Site Location Summary • Lukwa Lake sample sites are summarized in Table 1 and located on the annotated

air photograph of Lukwa Lake shown in Figure 3. The Lake Survey Form is included in Appendix 1.

Table 1 Lukwa Lake survey site location and description on August 18-19, 1997

Site #

Location

Description

1 southeast shore benchmark 2 lake, deepest basin limnology station / EMS # 225636 3 lake center 4-way lake panorama photographs 4 lake, deepest basin sinking gill net 5 lake, west shore minnow trap 6 lake, southwest shore minnow trap 7 lake, southeast shore minnow trap 8 lake, southeast shore minnow trap 9 lake, west shore minnow trap

10 lake, west shore minnow trap 11 outlet site card, electrofishing 12 inlet site card 13 lake, south basin sinking gill net

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Figure 2 Location of macrophyte communities at Lukwa Lake on August 19, 1997

shown on air photo BCB 91039 #73 (scale 1:6,000)

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Figure 3 Location of sample sites and features at Lukwa Lake, August 18-19, 1997

shown on enlargement from air photo BCB 91039 #73 (scale 1:5,000)

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4.6 Bathymetry • The Lukwa Lake bathymetric map, generated from the sounding transects shown in

Figure 4, is shown in Figure 5 (“A” size) and Appendix 6 ("E" size).

4.7 Limnological Sampling • The temperature profile recorded for Lukwa Lake on August 18-19, 1997 found that it

was thermally stratified with the thermocline between the 5 and 8 m. Temperatures declined from 21°C at the surface to 12°C at a depth of 9 m (Appendix 1).

• The dissolved oxygen level was 9 mg/l from the surface to the 4 m depth and then it increased to 13.5 mg/l at the 6 m depth. Levels then dropped to 9.6 mg/l at the 8 m depth, just off the lake bottom (Appendix 1).

• Field water chemistry profile measurements taken on March 12, 1997 when the lab sample was collected indicate that the lake was not stratified as was expected.

• Results of the laboratory analysis of the water samples collected from Lukwa Lake are included in Appendix 2.

4.8 Inlets and Outlets • Lukwa Lake has 1 ephemeral inlet stream and an outlet stream (Table 2). The outlet

flows 1 km northwest into a small wetland waterbody, then continues 1.2 km to its confluence with Campbell Lake.

• The inlet stream to Lukwa Lake drains marshy terrain north of the lake. • A Site Card was completed for the first reach adjacent to the lake in the inlet and

outlet. The FDIS Reach/Site Summary Reports are in Appendix 4. Table 2 Lukwa Lake tributary characteristics and sample sites on August 18-19, 1997

Stream Type

Site #

Indicated on TRIM

map Flow

Regime

Watershed Code

Order

outlet 11 yes permanent1 920-627900-25000 1 inlet 12 no intermittent 920-627900-25000 1

1 Stream was flowing at the time of survey but is probably intermittent during some years

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Figure 4 Location of sounding transects used to collect bathymetric data at Lukwa Lake

on August 18, 1997 shown on enlargement from air photo BCB 91039 #73 (scale 1:4,000)

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4.9 Fish

4.9.1 Fish Sample Summary • A sinking gillnet was set during the afternoon of August 18, 1997 and then reset

overnight August 18-19, 1997. No fish were caught. • Six minnow traps set during the same time period caught no fish (Table 3). • Electrofishing carried out in the outlet stream of Lukwa Lake on August 19, 1997 did

not capture any fish (Table 4). • Fish sampling in the inlet was not conducted due insufficient water in the channel. Table 3 Summary of fish sampling at Lukwa Lake on August 18-19, 1997

Site #

Method

Duration (hours)

# Fish

Species

4 sinking gill net #1 4 0 - 5 minnow trap 30 0 - 6 minnow trap 29 0 - 7 minnow trap 29 0 - 8 minnow trap 29 0 - 9 minnow trap 29 0 - 10 minnow trap 29 0 - 13 sinking gill net #2 23 0 -

Table 4 Summary of fish sampling in Lukwa Lake tributaries on August 19, 1997

Site #

Watershed Code Inlet/

Outlet

Method Length

Surveyed (m)

# Fish

Species

11 920-627900-25000 outlet electrofishing 140 0 -

4.9.2 Fish Age, Size and Life History • Netting and trapping results indicate that Lukwa Lake is not inhabited by fish.

4.9.3 Fish and Fish Habitat Comments • The findings of this survey indicate that Lukwa Lake is suitable habitat for a cutthroat

or rainbow trout population. • Declining stream flows and problems associated with de-watering in the reach below

the lake has created marginal fish rearing habitat. Any fish present in the system

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earlier in the year would probably be forced downstream to areas having better rearing conditions.

• Beavers have built 3 dams in the first 60 m of the outlet stream below the lake. The lower 2 dams are probably a migration barrier to fish at low or moderate flows, but should be passable during high flow conditions.

• About 100 m downstream of the lake an old bridge has collapsed, with several of the large timbers remaining in the channel. As a result, a debris plug lies overtop of a 1.5 m bedrock cascade creating a 2.5 m vertical obstruction that appears impassable to fish. On either side of this barrier, banks have eroded and sloughed into the channel contributing to the de-watered situation observed further downstream (Appendices 4 and 5).

• The north inlet of Lukwa Lake is a marshy, occasionally confined channel that has some limited fish rearing and spawning habitat throughout the reach. It appears that the intermittent flow regime limits the recruitment capability of this stream.

4.9.3.1 Fisheries Sensitive Zones • No fisheries sensitive zones were identified at Lukwa Lake.

4.9.3.2 Restoration and Rehabilitation Opportunities • Selective removal of several key timbers holding the outlet debris plug in place could

possibly restore fish passage into Lukwa Lake. However, it has not been determined whether fish are able to access this point of the outlet stream from Campbell Lake downstream.

4.9.4 Sport Fishery Comments

• Findings from this survey suggest that Lukwa Lake would be capable of supporting a small sport fishery for trout. The fishery would probably have to rely on a hatchery stocking program, since the potential for natural recruitment is presently very limited.

• It is not known if the lake was historically inhabited by trout, but if so, the marginal spawning and rearing habitat in the inlet combined with the obstruction in the outlet may have contributed to the population's demise over time.

• The recent construction of the nearby Campbell River Gun Club could possibly focus attention on the lake and facilitate development of a local trout sport fishery through limited stocking and outlet habitat restoration.

• In many places, the floating bog shoreline gives shore anglers the opportunity to fish deeper water. The lake also appears to be suitable for portable rafts and belly boats.

4.10 Wildlife • Active beaver dams in the outlet indicate that there is a beaver (Castor canadensis)

population at Lukwa Lake.

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5.0 Cited References British Columbia. 1996. Biogeoclimatic Zones of British Columbia. Victoria: British Columbia

Ministry of Forests. 1 sheet, color, scale 1: 1,900,800. [BCMELP-FB-IU] British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch,

Inventory Unit. 1997. Reconnaissance (1:20,000) Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory: Standards and Procedures [prepared for the British Columbia Resources Inventory Committee]. Victoria: British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. 104 p.

[BCMELP-FB-VIR] British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch,

Vancouver Island Region. 1996. Lake Inventory Files. Nanaimo: British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.

[BCMOF-FIS] British Columbia Ministry of Fisheries, Fisheries Inventory Section. 1998.

Standards for Fish and Fish Habitat Mapping Version 2.0 [prepared for the British Columbia Resources Inventory Committee]. Victoria: British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. 78 p.

[BCMOF-CRD] British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Campbell River Forest District. 1998. Small

Business Forest Enterprise Program, Campbell River Forest District, Sayward Provincial Forest 1998 to 2002 Forest Development Plan. Campbell River: British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Campbell River Forest District

[BCMOF-CRD] British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Campbell River Forest District. Undated. The

Sayward Forest Past to Present. Victoria: British Columbia Ministry of Forests. Queen's Printer 20562. 1p. brochure.

Diggle PK, Addison RB. 1977. Management Opportunities in the Sayward Forest. British

Columbia Forest Service Special Studies Division. 143 p. Oyster River. 1987. Recreation Resource Inventory Map 92F/14. Victoria: British Columbia

Ministry of Forests. 1 sheet, scale 1: 50,000. Sayward Forest. 1998. Forest Cover Map 92F.093. Victoria: British Columbia Ministry of Forests.

1 sheet, scale 1: 20,000.

6.0 Personal Communications Armstrong B. British Columbia Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Communications Branch. P.O. Box

9100 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, B.C., V8W 9B1. (250) 356-2394. McNeill D. 1998. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Campbell River District. 370

South Dogwood Street, Campbell River, BC, V9W 6Y7. (250) 286-9300.

Veitch G. 1999. Timber West Forest Ltd., Camp 8, Gold River Highway, BC. (250) 860-2800.

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7.0 Additional References Balkwill A, Coombes DMV, Tredger CD, Griffith RP. 1994. Bathymetric Standards for Lake

Inventories, Victoria: British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch. Draft.

Bland RG, Jaques HA. 1978. How to Know the Insects. 3rd ed. Dubuque: Wm. C Brown

Company. 409 p. Boyle D. 1996. A Guide to Photodocumentation. Victoria: British Columbia Ministry of

Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch, Resources Inventory Committee. British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fish Inventory Unit. 1994. Fish

Collection, Preservation, Measurement and Enumeration Manual. RIC draft. Victoria: British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.

British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch. 1996. British

Columbia Watershed Atlas database. British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch. 1996. Stocking

History database. British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries Branch. 1996. User's Guide

to the British Columbia Watershed/Waterbody Identifier System. Rev 2. Victoria: British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. 12 p.

British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Waste Management Branch. 1996.

Waste Permits database. British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Water Quality Branch. 1996. SEAM

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Reconaissance 1:20,000 Inventory of Lukwa Lake

Documents

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