Lynn Creek Side-Channel Habitat Enhancement Project
2022-2023

Target Species

Chum

Rainbow Trout

Pink

Coastal Cutthroat Trout

Coho

Project Partners

Lynn Creek Side-Channel

This project will continue the restoration 150+ meters of off-channel habitat essential for salmonid spawning and rearing in Lynn Creek. The link below described the earlier phase of the project:

Read about the 2017-2019 Lynn Creek Off-Channel Habitat project here.

Background

In 2018, North Shore Streamkeepers helped to install several log jams in the side channel to create protective pools for salmonids, a feature severely lacking in the Lynn Creek system. Post-project surveys found the side channel was well used by salmonids for both spawning and rearing.

Over time however, gravel was deposited at the channel inlet, blocking water flow during the dry season. Salmon fry then become confined to their rearing pool during summer, requiring periodic rescue when temperatures rise beyond tolerance.

Streamkeepers rescue salmon fry from the Lynn Creek Side-Channel in August 2022.

It became clear additional enhancements were required to maintain year-round water flow. These enhancements are planned for 2023.

Project Status – Winter/Spring 2023

Detailed engineering design: complete.
Fundraising: ongoing, 95% complete.
Obtain Logs and Boulders: ongoing, 95% complete.
Monitor side channel water level/salmon presence: ongoing.
Construction: August – September 2023.

Partnerships

Over 70 boulders donated by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
Over 100 logs donated by the City of Chilliwack and the City of Vancouver.

City of Vancouver logs 2021-2022 — Logs from the City of Vancouver’s Parks department are laid down at the Lynn Creek project storage site in 2022.

A log from the Vedder Canal is tagged for Streamkeeper pickup.

Conceptual design and physical modelling donated by Northwest Hydraulic Consultants.
Detailed engineering design funded by Pacific Salmon Foundation.
Laydown area and permits provided by the District of North Vancouver.
Support from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Cash support provided by: BCCF, Coho Society of the North Shore, District of North Vancouver, G3 Terminals, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Lions Club, and Port of Vancouver.