It should be smooth sailing for spawning salmon seeking to slip past scouring seals this September as work is currently underway to bring a little depth to formerly shallow McDonald Creek.
Shallow water has often turned the route into the fish equivalent of the Lions Gate Bridge at rush hour. Generally, chum and coho have only been able to traverse the creek during highest tides, which generally last a few hours a day during a few days a month.
While gridlocked and waiting for tides to dip, the salmon become prey for seals, otters, and sport fishermen, according to West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society president John Barker. However, salmon will be able to access the creek at mid-tide on completion of the $135,000 project, according to Barker. "Any fish arriving can find safe haven in the creek right away on the day it arrives, as opposed to waiting for high, high water, which is the case with McDonald Creek today."
Workers will excavate a trench and line it with sediment or clay, adding
obble-sized rocks and topping it off with boulders.
The boulders, or armour rock, were largely donated by British Pacific Properties and are intended to protect the creek bed from heavy rains or wave action.
Once finished, the creek will bend to the east and turn slightly to the south. The work is expected to be completed June 20.
Barker couldn't say if the project would result in more salmon returning to spawn. "All we know is we're giving them a better opportunity."
Streamkeepers opted to pursue McDonald Creek after noting fish flourishing in nearby Lawson Creek, which was modified in 2006. "I can't say it was intended for improved salmon return, but that was the outcome," Barker said. "We were totally blown away in 2007."
The number of salmon in Lawson Creek jumped from single digits to 51, according to Barker.
The McDonald Creek work was largely funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which pledged $60,000, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, which chipped in $50,000. The project is a joint effort between the streamkeepers, the District of West Vancouver and the West Vancouver Shoreline Preservation Society. A variety of organizations contributed the remaining $25,000. The only direct cost to West Vancouver residents is staff time, according to Barker.
Salmon are expected to return to the creek in late September or early October.
