Genelle Side Channel Feasibility and Design $10,000

Rainbow trout are a highly valued sport fish in the Canadian Columbia River (Hugh L. Keenleyside Dam to the International Border). Rainbow trout spawn in tributaries and two primary sites of the mainstem between February and May, but typically the majority of spawning occurs throughout April and May. One of the primary sites in the Columbia River mainstem is a groundwater fed island and gravel bar complex located near the Village of Genelle (26 km downstream of Keenleyside Dam) that annually attracts February and March spawners. This is termed the Genelle sidechannel. These spawners begin redd construction at higher elevation habitats which experience dewatering when flows from Keenleyside Dam are reduced in early April, as required by Rainbow Trout Spawning Protection Flows which protect the majority of rainbow trout that spawn in the Columbia River from April to June. In recent years, rainbow trout studies conducted by BC Hydro on the Columbia River focused on monitoring the timing and distribution of Columbia River mainstem spawning and the abundance of spawners; BC Hydro studies also identified redd locations where there was a high probability of dewatering, and later salvaged fertilized ova from such sites by manual excavation. As a result of these studies, the Genelle sidechannel contained the highest probability of redd dewatering on the Columbia River mainstem. In 2000, over 30,000 fertilized ova were excavated from dewatered redds at the Genelle side channel.

Management and enhancement of rainbow trout populations in the Columbia River downstream is challenging as a result of the mixture of stocks in the area resulting from past stocking and in particular from US stocking practices in Lake Roosevelt. Rainbow trout from a wide variety of locations (Oregon, coastal Washington, etc.) have been stocked into Lake Roosevelt. It is important that enhancement (and flow management) efforts be directed towards wild, indigenous populations to the extent that this is possible. This applies to habitat enhancement works (e.g. Genelle, Norns Creek fan, etc.) as well as to flow protection efforts.
The Genelle flats area is subject to significant impacts from vehicle use. In many instances, trucks have been observed driving through channels known to contain redds. Encouragement of stewardship efforts in the adjacent community (Genelle) may provide substantial benefits from this important spawning habitat area.
The proposed project would involve:

• a feasibility study and design of recontouring and rechannelizing the Genelle sidechannel area to reduce and possibly eliminate dewatering rainbow trout redds during April and May while providing optimal spawning substrata and enhancing groundwater infiltration. Preliminary stages of the development of a computerized recontouring model at this site have already been completed;

• Genetic analysis (nuclear and/or mitochondrial DNA) of rainbow trout spawning in different locations (Norns Creek to Waneta, mainstem and lower tributary) and at different times (January - June) and comparison to genetic profiles from known donor stocks and local wild stocks (e.g. headwaters) to determine the timing and spawning locations of rainbow trout most genetically similar to wild, indigenous populations;

• Public education and awareness efforts regarding the importance of and habitat values in the Genelle area.

back to project list

[Home][CKFRP Priority Issues][Current Projects][Past Projects]
[Map][Ripple Effects][Programs][CKFRP & Other Funding][Contacts & Links]