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If you have any questions on the information presented, or require additional report data or attachments, please contact the Report Contact
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In 2016 2017, the FWCP Coastal Region retained Quercus Ecological to inventory wildlife species-at-risk
using riparian and wetland habitat in the Wahleach watershed. The purpose of the project was to fill data gaps
on species distribution and abundance to prioritize future conservation and management action for species-at risk.
Previous information on species-at-risk was limited to desktop assessments made without empirical field
data collected in the watershed.
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Author: P. Burke, R. Murray, A. Robertson, A. Mitchell
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Old Reference Number: COA-F17-W-1211
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Old Reference System: FWCP Fish Wildlife Compensation Program - Coastal
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Date Published: Apr 2017
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Report ID: 53124
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Audience: Government and Public
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Species-at-risk in the Wahleach watershed have been impacted by recreational and commercial activities over
the past century, including the introduction of fish to the original fish-less Wahleach Lake, timber extraction,
metallic and non-metallic mineral mining, and construction of the Wahleach Hydroelectric Facility in 1952.
In 2016 2017, the FWCP Coastal Region retained Quercus Ecological to inventory wildlife species-at-risk
using riparian and wetland habitat in the Wahleach watershed. The purpose of the project was to fill data gaps
on species distribution and abundance to prioritize future conservation and management action for species-at risk.
Previous information on species-at-risk was limited to desktop assessments made without empirical field
data collected in the watershed. As a result, the project addressed the following four priority items identified in
the Wahleach Watershed Plan (2011):
2.1 Riparian and wetland habitat mapping
2.2 Inventory of amphibians
2.3 Inventory of riparian and water-birds
2.4 Inventory of bats
Ten wildlife species-at-risk were detected during field inventories in 2016 2017: western toad (Anaxyrus boreas),
coastal tailed frog (Ascaphus truei), northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora), great blue heron (Ardea herodias
fannini), olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata), black swift
(Cypseloides niger), little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus), fringed myotis, (Myotis thysanodes), and mountain
beaver (Aplodontia rufa). Many of these species were detected in riparian and wetland habitats throughout the
watershed. The project study area included the entire drainage basin emptying into Wahleach Creek plus
additional adjacent lands in the Fraser River Floodplain and above Herrling Side Channel at the Wahleach
Generating Station.
Field inventories and computer modeling were used to describe the spatial extent and distribution of riparian
and wetland habitats in the Wahleach watershed. A variable-width spatial modeling framework was used to
estimate the extent of functional riparian areas along stream channels throughout the project study area. The
model delineated a riparian zone of 978.5 ha, or approximately 7.4 % of terrestrial habitat within the study
area. A wetland assessment was conducted to classify two large, young wetland complexes along the margins
of Wahleach Reservoir that have formed since inundation of reservoir. Soils, hydrology, and vegetation were
used to delineate the wetland extent in the field at each site. 13.2 ha of wetlands and wet meadow were
identified.
Field inventories were conducted to assess the distribution and relative abundance of amphibians in the
reservoir, wetlands, and major creeks in the watershed. Amphibians were trapped in shallow waters during
summer and surveyed in riparian habitat and wetland habitats adjacent to waterbodies. Amphibians were
found in all basins surveyed in the watershed. Three amphibian species-at-risk were detected: coastal tailed
frog, northern red-legged frog, and western toad. Neither Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) nor pacific giant
salamander (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) were detected. Excellent breeding habitat was identified for western toad.
The Wahleach watershed is a dynamic and diverse ecosystem that provides habitat for many wildlife species.
We have identified additional footprint impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and habitat beyond what is
described in the 2011 Wahleach Watershed Plan.
Habitat enhancements that would provide greatest benefit to wildlife species-at-risk in the Wahleach include
protection of all remaining late seral and old growth forest, restoration of hydrological function to Wahleach
North and South wetlands, species-specific improvement measures, and maintaining areas with restricted
human recreational use.
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Report Type
Subject
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Amphibians & Reptiles - Coastal Tailed Frog: Ascaphus truei |
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Amphibians & Reptiles - Red-legged Frog: Rana aurora |
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Amphibians & Reptiles - Western Toad: Bufo boreas |
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Birds - Band-tailed Pigeon: Columba fasciata |
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Birds - Great Blue Heron: Ardea herodias |
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Mammals - Bats |
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Mammals - Beaver: Castor canadensis |
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Region - Lower Mainland |
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