Successful Applicant:
Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation
Award:
$14,455
Project Title:
Restoration and Enhancement of Atlantic Salmon Habitat in North Eastern PEI
Project Gallery:
Project Summary:
The goal of this project was to continue work on creating as near to pristine habitat as possible in Cross River, Priest Pond Creek and North Lake Creek for the benefit of Atlantic Salmon and other diadromous fish. This was undertaken by carrying out the following activities:
Installation of a sediment by-pass pond. Cross River had no sediment diversion structure in place and, as such, has excess sediment in the stream bed, with the primary source being run-off from surrounding agricultural fields and dirt roads. A sediment by-pass pond was installed in September and it will collect the excess sediment and hold it within the structure, leading to a reduction in sediment in the rest of the stream.
Stream restoration and enhancement in Cross River, Priest Pond and North Lake Creek. These streams have been restored and enhanced on a regular basis since 1974. For the previous 20 years, then have been cleared on an annual basis. These streams have always shown steady, and even increasing, fish populations as a result of this work. Annual restoration of the streams is essential to maintain fish passage as the streams are all in highly forested areas so accumulate a large number of blow downs every year, as well as experiencing high beaver activity. Recently, further issues have been caused by extreme freeze-thaw events creating more blowdowns and vegetation in the streams, leading to more blockages.