Safe place for fish to spawn

By Phil Melnychuk
Staff Reporter

Oct 06 2007

Salmon have least one safe place to spawn along the Alouette River, thanks to Richard Trethewey.

The father-in-law of district councillor Ken Stewart allowed a chunk of his property near the river to be excavated to create a side channel pond next to the Alouette where old salmon can lay their eggs and where young salmon can get food and shelter over the winter.

The spring project involved turning a riverside mud flat where canary grass grew into a side pond and channel. Logs anchored into the pond shelter the fish while the bank areas will be planted with native species this fall.

B.C. Hydro's coastal restoration program, which enhances habitat in return for that lost by the hydro dams, paid for the project, while Department of Fisheries and Oceans provided the expertise. It's called the Trethewey Spawning and Rearing Channel.

Trethewey owns the land, including both sides of the river bank and the riverbed itself, as was the custom with old land grants on the river, said the Alouette River Management Society.

This project provides an example to other owners who want to do the same thing, said ARMS.

The fish have already voted with their fins.

"It seems to be full of little coho fry so obviously it's working," said Stewart.

He added that his family doesn't mind helping and allotting land, providing they maintain the property rights and ownership.

"It's the private property, that was the attraction – so you wouldn't have people disturbing it," said Stewart.

That also works for maintaining habitat and nesting areas for birds.

Stewart also recently donated $15,000 to the Alouette River Management Society because he knew the group was stretched financially.

He said he likes the group because it's mainly directed by volunteers.

"You try to help where you can."