Mud Creek Sediment Pond
Reactivation for 2015 Project
Project 16.ALU.02
REPORTING PERIOD April 30, 2015-March 31, 2016
Alouette River Management Society, 24959 Alouette Road,
Maple Ridge, BC. V4R 1R8
Prepared By: Nicole Driedger and Greta Borick-Cunningham
Report prepared for the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
Program
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This Project is funded by the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP).
The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and
Oceans Canada, First Nations and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance
fish and wildlife impacted by the construction of BC Hydro dams.
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Executive Summary The South Alouette River is located in the City of Maple Ridge, British Columbia. The South Alouette River Watershed is a relatively small system (144 sq. km) arising in the Coastal Mountains of the Golden Ears Provincial Park, approximately 50km northeast of Vancouver, BC. The upper watershed flows into an impounded reservoir known as Alouette Lake. At the reservoir’s river outlet, the South Alouette River flows for 21 km through Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows before entering the Pitt River. The Pitt River, in turn, flows south into the Fraser River at Douglas Island. Mud Creek is located approximately two kilometres below the Alouette Dam on the east-facing slope of Blue Mountain. Mud Creek and the sediment pond are located within the boundaries of Golden Ears Provincial Park.
In 1973 Kwast Contracting Ltd. mined the gravel out of Mud Creek. BC Hydro facilitated that mining by
providing access to the area on their “Fee Simple” private road. The slopes of Mud Creek are steep
(vertical at one point). During heavy rainfall, clay based material and other fines from the steep banks
become mobile into Mud Creek. In the 1990s, before the Alouette had higher flows, Ray Finnegan (DFO
P.Eng.) designed silt control ponds that are still there today to control the silt coming out of Mud Creek.
The proposed project would involve the excavation of the Mud Creek sediment pond and possible
repairs/improvements to the wooden weir located at the base of the trap and in-trap deflection structures
during the dry summer months of 2014.
The project is important as during winter months, downslope materials from Mud Creek flow into the
sediment trap. However, the sediment trap is very close to full and these materials may flow directly over
the wooden weir at the base of the trap and into the South Alouette River resulting in impacts to salmonid
and non-salmonid spawning and rearing habitat. Fine silts and clays from the downslope flows cover
redds, infill large woody debris and other important instream components.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans coordinated the environmental monitor and picked a start date
of June 5th, 2015 with Mission Contractors. ARMS water quality technologist, Sophie Smith, did a
preliminary survey of the water quality in the Alouette River directly off of the Mud Creek slope. Emily
Gutenberg, ARMS staff member, assisted with this process, there were also two volunteers who assisted
with these surveys. During the same week the Species at Risk biologists visit the site to ascertain the
presence/absence of any species at risk in or around the project area. There was some concern over the
dry weather conditions for the amphibious species and the tadpoles that were there. Most died
naturally as the water in the pond disappeared rather quickly the week before, some species were
removed and relocated.
During the week of June 8th-12th inclusive Mission Contractors removed 150 loads x 11m3/load =1650
mᶟ via John Deere 250 D Rock Truck and 100 loads x 7mᶟ/load =700 mᶟ by Volvo dump truck for a total
sediment removal of 2350 cubic meters. The plants growing on the banks of the retention pond remain
intact. There are many fairly well established plants around the pond and they will continue to help
with the retention.
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Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Study Area ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Methods ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Results and Outcomes ................................................................................................................................ 11
Discussion.................................................................................................................................................... 18
Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... 23
Appendix……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….24
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Table of Figures
Figure 1 Study Area including Mud Creek sediment pond ......................................................................... 9
Figure 2 Mission Contractors excavating Mud Creek, June 2015 ............................................................. 10
Figure 3 Dump truck taking excavated fill to 256th Access Road ............................................................. 11
Figure 4 Before excavation - Mud Creek sediment pond – September 2013 .......................................... 12
Figure 5 Mud Creek sediment pond looking downstream after excavation ............................................ 12
Figure 6 Mud Creek sediment pond looking upstream after excavation ................................................. 13
Figure 7 Looking upstream along excavated channel to culvert .............................................................. 14
Figure 8 Culvert outflow from Mud Creek slope to sediment pond ......................................................... 15
Figure 9 Looking downstream along excavated channel to sediment ponds, March 2016 ..................... 16
Figure 10 Volunteers harvesting willow stakes ......................................................................................... 18
Figure 11 Spawning Chorus frogs .............................................................................................................. 19
Figure 12 Tailed Frog tadpole.................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 13 Chorus Frog tadpoles ................................................................................................................ 20
Figure 14 Species At Risk present at Mud Creek location ......................................................................... 20
Figure 15 Volunteers installing willow stakes for trial erosion control ..................................................... 21
Figure 16 Bioengineering volunteers on the slope above Mud Creek sediment pond ............................ 22
List of Tables
Table 1 Pre-and post excavation water quality results ............................................................................ 17
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Introduction The Alouette River salmonid species which had previously spawned upstream of the dam were impeded
from reaching the upper watershed due to the presence of the Alouette Dam. This man-made
obstruction resulted in the extirpation of the Sockeye and Chinook salmon from the Alouette Watershed
by the next salmon cycle following reservoir construction. The flows downstream of the dam were
drastically decreased and, at times, stopped altogether with severe impacts on the coho, chum, pink,
cutthroat and steelhead populations leaving them struggling to survive. The earth-filled dam was
modernized in 1984 by BC Hydro to improve seismic standards and further improved in 1993 when the
spillway was reconstructed. Upstream passage was not considered for salmon at that time.
The lower South Alouette River and its tributaries, in this post construction period, support reduced
anadromous runs of coho, steelhead, pink, Chinook, and chum salmon. ALLCO is a community hatchery
run in partnership with the Ministry of Justice-Corrections’ staff, the Alouette River Management
Society, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Chinook were reintroduced in 1997 from Harris/Chilliwack
stocks. Pinks were extirpated by about 1965 and were reintroduced through a hatchery program
operated out of ALLCO Hatchery, Maple Ridge, on the Alouette River in 1985.
In 1973, Kwast Contracting Ltd. mined the gravel out of Mud Creek. BC Hydro facilitated that mining by
providing access to the area on their “Fee Simple” private road. The slopes of Mud Creek are steep
(vertical at one point). During heavy rainfall, clay-based material and other fines from the steep banks
become mobile into Mud Creek. In the 1990s, before the Alouette had higher flows, Ray Finnegan (DFO
P.Eng.) designed silt control ponds that are still there today to control the silt coming out of Mud Creek.
During winter months, downslope materials from Mud Creek flow into the sediment trap. However, the
sediment trap is very close to full and these materials could flow directly over the wooden weir at the
base of the trap and into the South Alouette River resulting in impacts to salmonid and non-salmonid
species spawning and rearing habitat. Fine silts and clays from the downslope flows cover redds, infill
large woody debris and other important instream components. This wooden weir was built
approximately twelve years ago (pers.comm. Ron MacLean, 28 Oct 2014). A preliminary site review was
performed by Al Jonsson (DFO engineer, Habitat branch) on 29 October 2014 to ascertain the limitations
of the site and any possible risks to completing the project. He advised that the wooden weir may need
to be removed and replaced with either a similar framework or that lock-blocks or boulders sourced
from the site could be used in conjunction with a wooden frame on the upside of the boulders. This
would be a site specific fit given that the extent to which this structure may need to be replaced cannot
be ascertained fully until the area is excavated.
The project proposal is aligned with the Salmonid Action Plan Objective 1 – To ensure a productive and
diverse aquatic ecosystem, Sub-objective 1, Maximize the viability of anadromous salmonids, Table 2,
Action – Maintain existing constructed habitat enhancements for all salmonids and Action – Assess
efficacy of habitat enhancements undertaken by the program. By addressing these actions through this
proposed project, ARMS hopes to reduce the possibility of as much fine silt moving into the South
Alouette from a failure of Mud Creek sediment and subsequently onto salmonid spawning areas.
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Goals and Objectives
Objective 1 – Project Coordination & pre-excavation survey and community engagement
Direct coordination with onsite project coordinator and environmental manager will begin in early spring
to ascertain the appropriate worksite practices, timing of the work to be completed, the removal of the
spoils and any mitigation measures around sediment or Species at Risk as necessary. Engaging the
contractor to excavate approximately 5 years worth of fill from Mud Creek including fines, gravels and
other materials will commence in mid-late spring. Pre-excavation turbidity monitoring using volunteers
will commence during April-May downstream from Mud Creek and at the Allco Hatchery to gather data
relating to the amount of instream sediment flows from Mud Creek in the spring. ARMS will commence
community engagement with outreach acknowledging FWCP’s contribution and involvement.
This goal was achieved. The early surveying was responsible for the decision to start as early as June 8th
due to the severe drought conditions.
Objective 2 – Excavate fill from Mud Creek sediment pond and remove spoils
Contractor will excavate the fill from Mud Creek sediment pond, and where necessary prior to excavation
will install sedimentation controls (under the environmental manager’s advice and supervision) and
pumping to remove any water that may be in the pond. Spoils will be trucked up to 256th Access Road
dump site (BC Hydro Properties Division approval attached) which is approximately 2 kilometres north of
the excavation site along the BC Hydro access road to the Alouette Dam.
This objective was achieved during the week of June 8th-12th Mission Contractors removed 150 loads x
11m3/load =1650 mᶟ via John Deere 250 D Rock Truck and 100 loads x 7mᶟ/load =700 mᶟ by Volvo dump
truck for a total sediment removal of 2350 cubic meters. The fill from Mud Creek sediment pond was
trucked up to the 256th Access Road.
Objective 3 – Refurbish/replace wooden weir at base of Mud Creek sediment pond if required
After excavation, Fraser Regional Correctional Centre work crews and supervisor with guidance from DFO
habitat engineer or on-site environmental manager will assess the state of wooden weir at the base of
the sediment trap. The weir structure will be removed, repaired and reinstalled including any in-trap
deflection structures depending upon requirements.
The Fraser Regional Correctional team inspected the wooden weir and determined that the weir would
be better left intact to prevent ground disturbance and erosion. It was decided that the weir would be
reinforced to increase its longevity and functionality using gravel and wooden planks.
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Objective 4 – Conduct post-excavation turbidity monitoring with community engagement
After completion of the excavation work and any required improvements to the weir and deflection
structures, ARMS will organize post-construction monitoring at Mud Creek and at the Allco Hatchery to
gather data relating to turbidity. ARMS volunteers, other interested local residents, Katzie First Nations,
BCIT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program students, 1st Laityview Scouts will be contacted to conduct
these activities with ARMS supervision. BC Hydro will provide a professional RP Bio advice and turbidity
equipment for this monitoring.
Monitoring has been ongoing thanks to help from two University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) students,
under supervision of our professional water Geochemist, Sophie Smith. One class was held by Dan
Stewart on bioengineering erosion control. 11 people attended the course and a trial bioengineering
erosion control method was set up on the cliff above the sediment control ponds.
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Study Area The South Alouette River is located in the City of Maple Ridge, British Columbia. The South Alouette
River Watershed is a relatively small system (144 sq. km) arising in the Coastal Mountains of the Golden
Ears Provincial Park, approximately 50km northeast of Vancouver, BC. The upper watershed flows into
an impounded reservoir known as Alouette Lake. At the reservoir’s river outlet, the South Alouette
River flows for 21 km through Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows before entering the Pitt River. The Pitt
River, in turn, flows south into the Fraser River at Douglas Island.
The Alouette Reservoir was constructed by the BC Electric Railway Company in 1925. A low-level earth-
filled dam was constructed on the southern outlet of what were then two lakes called “Lillooet Lakes”.
The Alouette River was impounded for hydroelectric power through reservoir storage. Virtually all of
the upper Alouette watershed inflows, above the dam, were redirected out of the watershed and into
the Stave Reservoir through a diversion tunnel at the northeast end.
The proposed project would involve the excavation of the Mud Creek sediment pond and possible
repairs/improvements to the wooden weir located at the base of the trap and in-trap deflection
structures. The proposed project site is located on the east bank above the South Alouette River
approximately 2 kilometres downstream from the base of the Alouette Dam. The current Mud Creek
sediment pond is located within the boundaries of the Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge.
Coordinates for the site are 49o16’29.79”N, 122o29’50.47”W.
Figure 1 Study Area including Mud Creek sediment pond
Mud Creek sediment pond
Alouette Reservoir and dam
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Methods The Alouette Watershed Species At Risk Group (AWSARG) team walked the creek with ARMS staff to try
to determine where all the sediment originated from. ARMS has since found the location and hope to
put together a project in upcoming years to mitigate the landslide that had contributed to almost all of
the erosion on the hillside above the Mud Creek sediment ponds. The AWSARG team stated they would
be happy to bring in an expert at their own expense to see if such a project is possible.
There were discussions amongst AWSARG and ARMS staff about cutting off amphibian access to the
retention pools and creating another pond nearby, however by eliminating the source of the outflowing
silt we can keep the retention ponds for amphibious life and will not have to excavate them as often.
In early June 2015, Mission Contractors was hired to excavate the ponds. They used an excavator
careful not to disturb the surrounding plant life. Dump trucks were used to haul away the excavated
material. Mission Contractors dumped 250 loads of fill at the pre-approved dump site near the entrance
to the 256th Access-BC Hydro Access Road.
Figure 2 Mission Contractors excavating Mud Creek, June 2015
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Figure 3 Dump truck taking excavated fill to 256th Access Road
Results and Outcomes The Department of Fisheries and Oceans senior engineer, Jonathan Bulcock, assessed the project site
prior to excavation, selected the earlier start date of June with Mission Contractors and coordinated the
excavation work. ARMS water quality technologist, Sophie Smith, did a preliminary survey of the water
quality in the Alouette River directly off the Mud Creek slope. Emily Gutenberg, ARMS staff member,
assisted with this process, there were also two volunteers present. During the same week the Species at
Risk council visit the site. There was some concern over the dry weather conditions for the amphibious
species and the tadpoles that were there. Most died naturally as the water disappeared rather quickly
the week before, some were removed and relocated.
During the week of June 8th-12th 2015,, Mission Contractors removed 150 loads x 11m3/load =1650 mᶟ via John Deere 250 D Rock Truck and 100 loads x 7mᶟ/load =700 mᶟ by Volvo dump truck for a total sediment removal of 2350 cubic meters. The plants growing on the banks of the retention pond remain intact. There are many fairly well established plants around the pond and these will continue to help with the retention. Mission Contractors created 3 sediment ponds within the project area that had been completely filled in. The outfall “creek” running from the culvert into the sediment ponds was also widened and the banks heightened to create a less steep slope coming down from the BC Hydro access road to the sediment ponds.
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Figure 4 Before excavation - Mud Creek sediment pond – September 2013
Figure 5 Mud Creek sediment pond looking downstream after excavation
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Figure 6 Mud Creek sediment pond looking upstream after excavation
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Figure 7 Looking upstream along excavated channel to culvert
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Figure 8 Culvert outflow from Mud Creek slope to sediment pond
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Figure 9 Looking downstream along excavated channel to sediment ponds, March 2016
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Pre-and post-excavation water surveys were held on the dates below by ARMS staff and 3 volunteers.
Water Monitoring Results
Date Time Water
Temperature (°C)
Dissolved Oxygen
(%)
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l)
Conductivity (µs/cm)
pH Turbidity
(NTU)
May 27, 2015
2:00 pm 16.1 97.0 9.51 10.3 7.25 0.15
June 22, 2015
1:30 pm 16.7 97.8 9.51 10.4 6.89 0.26
Feb 11, 2016
12:47 pm 6.4 96.9 11.91 10.2 N/A 0.32
Table 1 Pre-and post excavation water quality results
*probe went in for repair after Feb 11 finding, PH monitor unavailable
Each of the days surveyed were tested directly off the slope where the excavation took place. This
location has high canopy coverage and therefore the temperatures on both dates have remained fairly
consistent, noting the consistency of the time of day as well. Dissolved oxygen levels are in a stable and
healthy condition to support diverse aquatic life. Conductivity is low but is consistent throughout the
Alouette River as the dam holds back much of the sediment that travels down from the head waters. pH
is at a prime level. Turbidity is low but has increased slightly after the excavation.
In addition, Alouette Watershed Species At Risk Group (AWSARG) restoration ecologists Dan Stewart
and Chris Currie, hosted a 2-day workshop at the ARMS facility. Day 1 was an indoor day, where
bioengineering expert David Polster lectured the volunteer group on bioengineering methods, providing
many examples of when and how to employ it. Day 2 was a field day, where the volunteers were able to
apply the new knowledge. David Polster was with the group to walk them through each step of the
process. The group began by harvesting approximately 200 Salix scouleriana willow stakes from nearby
Alouette Road (beneath power lines, where hydro pruning was inevitable). The stakes were then used to
construct terraces within the eroding slope. Large diameter stakes were used as vertical supports, while
smaller cuttings were laid laterally to reinforce terrace steps. Willow is capable of rooting and sprouting
from stakes, so it was hoped that over the winter the stakes would develop roots, and by spring the
stakes would sprout (which they now are). Over time, the slope will gradually transform from an
eroding, sandy slope into a stable, vegetated hillside. A total of 10 volunteers, each contributed
approximately 7 hours for the bioengineering work day. In total, the volunteer group bioengineered 5
linear meters of eroding slope, of approximately 50 m along the road in total with approximately 50
sqm of slope stablilzed.
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Figure 10 Volunteers harvesting willow stakes
Discussion The Species At Risk (SAR) team came out on three separate occasions: once before the excavation, once
during excavation, and once after excavation. Since 2015, was very dry there was no water in the
sediment pond itself. Therefore no tadpoles or frogs needed to be removed from the site during
excavation.
The SAR team walked the creek way to try to determine where all the sediment originated from. We
have since found the location and hope to put together a project in upcoming years to mitigate the
landslide that had contributed to almost all of the problem. The SAR team will bring in an expert at their
own expense to see if such a project is possible.
There was some talk about cutting off amphibian access to the retention pools and creating another
pond nearby, but perhaps by eliminating the source of the outflowing silt we can keep the retention
ponds for amphibious life and won’t have to excavate them as often.
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Figure 11 Spawning Chorus frogs
Figure 12 Tailed Frog tadpole
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Figure 13 Chorus Frog tadpoles
Figure 14 Species At Risk present at Mud Creek location
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As a result of the discussions with the restoration ecologists with the Alouette Watershed Species At
Risk Group (AWSARG), the opportunity arose whereby a trial soil erosion workshop was arranged and
volunteers were gathered to install willow stakes to contain the source materials from the slope above
Mud Creek. Bioengineering was looked at as a method of retaining erosion and lengthening the period
of time between pond excavations. Bioengineering can be defined as the use of living plant materials to
perform engineering functions, from simple erosion control with grass and legume seeding to more
complex slope stabilization with willows and other plants. Soil bioengineering techniques can be used to
revegetate steep slopes, to treat seepage zones, to control surface erosion, and to mitigate riverbank
erosion. For many restoration practitioners, this is a welcome change to the typical rip rap, and hard-
engineered solutions we see. This slope is a pilot project, where we are investigating the use of
vegetation to reduce sediment and erosion issues in Mud Creek. It is our hope that the willow stakes will
grow into established shrubs over time, thus binding the soil and halting slope erosion processes.
Figure 15 Volunteers installing willow stakes for trial erosion control
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Figure 16 Bioengineering volunteers on the slope above Mud Creek sediment pond
Recommendations
In terms of the sediment ponds, it would be beneficial to do smaller excavations more often so the
ponds would not fill as completely. Regular maintenance of these ponds would be considered
approximately every 5-6 years.
It would also be useful to try to get a team up into the more difficult to reach areas to form retention
barricades and do planting of willows and other retentive plants. The bioengineered retention wall was
effective in the area it was placed, and we could easily do more work in that location for preventative
measures as the hillside is coming down onto the road. However ARMS is unsure how realistic it would
be to get the materials needed to the area which causes most of the erosion into the creek itself. It is
hard to reach and would require many trips or many hikers carrying a lot of material a long distance.
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Acknowledgements ARMS would like to recognize and thank the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program on behalf of its
program partners: BC Hydro, the Province of BC, Fisheries and Oceans, First Nations and Public
Stakeholders. ARMS would also like to thank the Pacific Salmon Foundation for their generous co-
funding of this project. This project would also like to thank Jonathan Bulcock (DFO), Al Jonnson (DFO),
Aimee Mitchell (Athene Ecological), Dan Stewart (Alouette Watershed Species At Risk Group), Chris
Currie (Alouette Watershed Species At Risk Group), Fraser Regional Correction staff, Ken Stewart (ARMS
President) for all of their extremely valuable in-kind expertise provided to this project.
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Appendix
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Mud Creek Sign and Kiosk
Alupanel sign completed
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Completed sign with kiosk located at Allco Fish Hatchery
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ARMS “What’s Up At ARMS!” – Spring/Summer 2015 newsletter
Alouette River Management Society
24959 Alouette Road, Maple Ridge, BC V4R1R8
604 - 467 - 6401 www.alouetteriver.org
ARMS Update
Spring & Summer 2015
Hello ARMS Members, Volunteers, Partners, & Friends! We are happy to share with you our accomplishments & updates during the first part of 015. It has
been a busy and exciting few months for us, and we are proud of how far we've come. Here is
what we've been up to:
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SPRING BREAK & SUMMER CAMPS Our spring break camps were fully booked, as anticipated! We had 60 children attend our two weeks of Minecraft
themed day camps, immersed in hands-on learning and outdoor fun! We were able to provide volunteer experience
to 9 student Camp Councillors. Dan Mikolay did a phenomenal job managing the camps. As for summertime, we are
looking at a jam-packed July and August as we prepare to host 5 weeks of day camps: Super Mario Camp: July 6 - 10 SPORE Camp: July 13 - 17 Pokemon Camp: July 20 - 24 Minecraft III: July 27 - 31 Minecraft III: August 10 – 14 WELCOME, SOPHIE & ALEX! ARMS is pleased to welcome Sophie Smith as our new Acting Education Coordinator and Alex Bragg as our 2015 Summer Student. Sophie recently received her Bachelor's Degree in Geography from the University of the Fraser Valley with concentrations in Environmental Science. She is currently part of the internationally-recognized Global Rivers Observatory Project, and completed her practicum as a part of this project at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts, USA. Alexandria Bragg is currently completing her Bachelor's Degree in Geography at the
University of the Fraser Valley with concentrations in Environmental Studies and Forest Conservation. She is our flora
and vegetation expert here and will be assisting with planting prescriptions and other ARMS events and activities
during her time with us.
KAZTIE SLOUGH BLIND CHANNEL MONITORING We have recently begun our seasonal stewardship monitoring of the Katzie Slough blind channel in Pitt Meadows. We do water-quality testing, invertebrate counting, and vegetation surveys of the site regularly between April and
August each year to track the health and progress of the blind channel. Thank you to Pacific Salmon Foundation for
providing the fourth year of funding for this five year study.
CONGRATULATIONS GRETA & DAVE We are thrilled to announce the birth of Eoin Borick-Cunningham, born January 18th, 2015 to ARMS Executive
Director Greta Borick-Cunningham and her loving husband Dave. We are so happy that Eoin is doing well, and look
forward to having Greta return to ARMS in 2016.
NEW WATER-QUALITY TESTING EQUIPMENT, NEW FRONTIERS ARMS has recently purchased a Lamotte 2020we electronic handheld turbidity meter and a professional-grade YSI
multiparameter probe to allow staff and volunteers to test water quality throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
with ease and accuracy. This new digital equipment far exceeds the accessibility of our outdated manual equipment
and methods. We are eager to get out in the field and expand our reach as we collect data from local creeks,
streams, and rivers, and develop a more comprehensive understanding of nearby watersheds. We are especially
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thankful to the Pitt River Area Watershed Network (PRAWN), who carried out incredible environmental stewardship in
Pitt Meadows and were generous enough to establish a watershed-monitoring fund for ARMS when they dissolved. BEE SATURDAYS ARE BACK! That's right, our weekly beekeeping workshops have started! Attend our FREE workshops every Saturday from 12pm
- 2pm at the Rivers Heritage Centre. Suit up, get up-close-and-personal with our friendly honeybees, and learn all
about these fascinating creatures in a safe, fun way! Contact our beekeeper Loretta Jackson at [email protected] to RSVP, or call 604-467-6401.
O.W.L.E.S COMMUNITY WORKSHOP ARMS is hosting an exciting FREE workshop on June 14th at the Rivers Heritage Centre as part of our new Owls,
Wildlife, & Endangered Species program, funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Raptors Ridge Birds
of Prey will be bringing LIVE birds, and attendees will get the opportunity to dissect REAL owl pellets and analyze the
skeletons within them while learning about habitats, local ecosystems, and food chains. All ages welcome, space is
limited. RSVP by contacting us at 604-467-6401 or [email protected]. 11am-2pm.
MAPLE RIDGE ADOPT-A-BLOCK-PROGRAM Have YOU adopted your block yet? Join the Maple Ridge Adopt-A-Block Program and sign up to look after a section
of your neighbourhood. Equipment is provided, and members are eligible for municipal street sign of recognition
installed at adoption site. Adopt-A-Block also participates in bimonthly cleanups of the downtown Maple Ridge core
with the municipal Community Builders team, and recently hosted its first geocaching litter pickup called a CITO (Cache-In-Trash-Out) cleanup of 256th Street on May 16th. Email [email protected] or visit
www.alouetteriver.org/adopt-a-block for more information.
PROJECT APPROVALS Aren't we lucky! ARMS was approved for 4 ongoing projects this year: the Experimental Sockeye Enumeration Project, the Adult Sockeye Enumeration Project, Mud Creek Restoration Project, and the Alouette Side Channel Project. ARMS has been extremely fortunate to receive funding from BC Hydro's Fish & Wildlife Compensation
Project for three projects, the Pacific Salmon Foundation for three projects, and Innergex for one project. These
groups provide the money we need to design and carry out complex plans in order to enhance, restore, and protect
sensitive ecosystems and species that are extremely valuable to the health and strength of natural habitats in British
Columbia. THANK YOU!
EVENTS ARMS ATTENDED - Annual Scouts Nite Hike - Maple Ridge Earth Day 2015 -
Pitt Meadows Earth Day 2015
UPCOMING EVENTS - OWLES Community Workshop, June 14th 11am - 2pm, Rivers Heritage Centre - Father's Day Fish Release, June 21st 11am - 2pm, Maple Ridge Park - Country Fest 2015, July 25th and 26th at the Albion Fairgrounds - Ridge Meadows Rivers Day, September 27th 2015
Questions? Comments?
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Looking for volunteer opportunities?
CONTACT US at [email protected].
Find us on social media @AlouetteRiverMS
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Tours to the Mud Creek Sediment Ponds
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program – Fall 2015 tour to the project site (10 people in attendance)
Aevitas, City of Maple Ridge Environmental staff, BC Hydro – Winter 2016 tour to the project site (12
people in attendance. (January 19, 2016)
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