2006 news releases

Oct 25 2006
Summer-run chinook spawning in Puntledge
Comox Valley Record

Despite this fall’s low river levels, two dozen summer-run chinook are now spawning at a new habitat restoration project on the Puntledge River, Project Watershed says in a news release.

The project is approximately three kilometres downstream from BC Hydro’s impoundment dam at Comox Lake in a section of the river known as the Headpond.

In 2005, 6,700 tonnes of gravel was added in an area of the Headpond, creating a new spawning bed measuring approximately 4,750 square metres, says Project Watershed. This year the site is being closely monitored and assessed for its ability to provide effective habitat for spawning and incubation.

“We seem to be off to a good start,” says project biologist Esther Guimond. “The gravel was spread out over a 100-metre stretch, and spans across the entire river. Although we have only seen 12 pairs spawning this year, there is enough habitat there to eventually support over 400 pairs.”

The Headpond section was historically the most important spawning area for summer-runs of chinook salmon and steelhead, notes Project Watershed. Following expansion of the hydro facilities in the 1950s, this habitat was severely impacted through a combination of flooding, reduced velocities and altered hydrology, the group adds.

The Puntledge River Hatchery, built in 1977, has been instrumental in conserving and maintaining the summer-run chinook stock over the past four decades.
According to Chris Beggs, manager at Puntledge Hatchery, “A key element in the successful re-establishment of the summer-run chinook salmon stock will be restoration of the historical spawning habitats.

“Since 2001 the hatchery has enabled a greater portion of the returning summer chinooks access above the Puntledge Diversion Dam into the Headpond and Comox Lake, after we acquire broodstock. This year, over 200 passed through the fish ladder at the Diversion Dam,” he adds.

Running simultaneously to the Headpond project is a genetic analysis study of summer and fall-run chinook. This information will help researchers and hatchery staff better understand the migration timing of these two distinct species in order to safeguard and rebuild the summer-run stock, says Project Watershed.
Both projects are funded through BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program (BCRP) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

The Puntledge River system is one of a few rivers on the east coast of Vancouver Island to support both a summer and a fall run of chinook salmon, states Project Watershed.

The Comox Valley Project Watershed Society says it is a non-profit society established in 1993 and run by a volunteer board of directors.