Canada: The government of British Columbia considers Plan B if salmon need help through the Chilcotin slide zone

Published 2024년 8월 9일

Tridge summary

A landslide in British Columbia has caused a breach in the Chilcotin River, potentially creating a barrier for migrating salmon. The government is developing a plan to help the fish, while also measuring the impact on critical migration routes and heritage sites. The Tsilhqot'in National Government and Central Interior First Nations are involved in the assessment and have called for fishing restrictions to protect the sockeye and chinook stocks. The Fisheries Department believes most adult chinook and some sockeye have already passed the slide site. Downstream communities are reporting higher water levels and debris, but there is no flooding. Bank stability and tree debris in the rivers remain concerns.

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Original content

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Plans to help migrating salmon make it up British Columbia's Chilcotin River to spawning grounds are in the works after a massive landslide breach created barrier challenges, but officials will wait to see if the water carves a new route for the fish, says Nathan Cullen, the provincial water, land and resource stewardship minister. Cullen said Thursday that the breach created a new "choke point" on the river that could impede sockeye salmon movement upstream, but the fish are extremely resilient and face many challenges on their journey to spawning grounds. The government's plan to help salmon if needed comes as central Interior First Nations say they are measuring the impacts of the landslide that blocked the Chilcotin River for days, followed by a breach of the dam and a subsequent torrent of water that sent trees and debris downstream. Cullen said at a news conference that the narrow spot on the river seems to be eroding, but doesn't seem to be at a point ...

Source: Timescolonist