Lardeau River Gerrard Rainbow Juvenile Assessment $8,120

Gerrard rainbow trout are known throughout the world. This wild trout population spawn and rear only in the Lardeau River and are strongly protected by First Nations people and Kootenay residents. They are a unique piscivorous and very large (average 9 kg.) rainbow trout population. The entire population is supported through spawning in a 300 m. section of the Lardeau River at the outlet of Trout Lake. In November, 1999, a debris torrent came down Mobbs Creek, which flows into the Lardeau River at the Gerrard rainbow trout spawning area, resulting in severe damage (scouring and sedimentation) to the spawning habitat. CKFRP funds were used to restore the Mobbs Creek - Lardeau River confluence. However, a further debris torrent occurred in May, 2000, resulting in destruction of the restoration works and serious damage to spawning habitat during the middle of the spawning season. It is anticipated that juvenile recruitment from the 2000 spawn will be negligible. Geotechnical experts anticipate that future debris torrents are probable, and are not caused by forest harvesting.

This project will pay for assessment and design work on options for protecting the spawning grounds from future debris torrents. Two options will be investigated: (i) construction of a sediment collection basin on Mobbs Creek; and (ii) relocation of the mouth of Mobbs Creek.

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