Mud Creek Sediment Pond

Reactivation for 2015 Project

Project 16.ALU.02

REPORTING PERIOD April 30, 2015-March 31, 2016

Alouette River Management Society, 24959 Alouette Road,

Maple Ridge, BC. V4R 1R8

Prepared By: Nicole Driedger and Greta Borick-Cunningham

Report prepared for the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

Program

16.ALU.02

2

This Project is funded by the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP).

The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and

Oceans Canada, First Nations and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance

fish and wildlife impacted by the construction of BC Hydro dams.

16.ALU.02

3

Executive Summary The South Alouette River is located in the City of Maple Ridge, British Columbia. The South Alouette River Watershed is a relatively small system (144 sq. km) arising in the Coastal Mountains of the Golden Ears Provincial Park, approximately 50km northeast of Vancouver, BC. The upper watershed flows into an impounded reservoir known as Alouette Lake. At the reservoir’s river outlet, the South Alouette River flows for 21 km through Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows before entering the Pitt River. The Pitt River, in turn, flows south into the Fraser River at Douglas Island. Mud Creek is located approximately two kilometres below the Alouette Dam on the east-facing slope of Blue Mountain. Mud Creek and the sediment pond are located within the boundaries of Golden Ears Provincial Park.

In 1973 Kwast Contracting Ltd. mined the gravel out of Mud Creek. BC Hydro facilitated that mining by

providing access to the area on their “Fee Simple” private road. The slopes of Mud Creek are steep

(vertical at one point). During heavy rainfall, clay based material and other fines from the steep banks

become mobile into Mud Creek. In the 1990s, before the Alouette had higher flows, Ray Finnegan (DFO

P.Eng.) designed silt control ponds that are still there today to control the silt coming out of Mud Creek.

The proposed project would involve the excavation of the Mud Creek sediment pond and possible

repairs/improvements to the wooden weir located at the base of the trap and in-trap deflection structures

during the dry summer months of 2014.

The project is important as during winter months, downslope materials from Mud Creek flow into the

sediment trap. However, the sediment trap is very close to full and these materials may flow directly over

the wooden weir at the base of the trap and into the South Alouette River resulting in impacts to salmonid

and non-salmonid spawning and rearing habitat. Fine silts and clays from the downslope flows cover

redds, infill large woody debris and other important instream components.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans coordinated the environmental monitor and picked a start date

of June 5th, 2015 with Mission Contractors. ARMS water quality technologist, Sophie Smith, did a

preliminary survey of the water quality in the Alouette River directly off of the Mud Creek slope. Emily

Gutenberg, ARMS staff member, assisted with this process, there were also two volunteers who assisted

with these surveys. During the same week the Species at Risk biologists visit the site to ascertain the

presence/absence of any species at risk in or around the project area. There was some concern over the

dry weather conditions for the amphibious species and the tadpoles that were there. Most died

naturally as the water in the pond disappeared rather quickly the week before, some species were

removed and relocated.

During the week of June 8th-12th inclusive Mission Contractors removed 150 loads x 11m3/load =1650

mᶟ via John Deere 250 D Rock Truck and 100 loads x 7mᶟ/load =700 mᶟ by Volvo dump truck for a total

sediment removal of 2350 cubic meters. The plants growing on the banks of the retention pond remain

intact. There are many fairly well established plants around the pond and they will continue to help

with the retention.

16.ALU.02

4

Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6

Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 7

Study Area ..................................................................................................................................................... 9

Methods ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

Results and Outcomes ................................................................................................................................ 11

Discussion.................................................................................................................................................... 18

Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................... 22

Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... 23

Appendix……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….24

16.ALU.02

5

Table of Figures

Figure 1 Study Area including Mud Creek sediment pond ......................................................................... 9

Figure 2 Mission Contractors excavating Mud Creek, June 2015 ............................................................. 10

Figure 3 Dump truck taking excavated fill to 256th Access Road ............................................................. 11

Figure 4 Before excavation - Mud Creek sediment pond – September 2013 .......................................... 12

Figure 5 Mud Creek sediment pond looking downstream after excavation ............................................ 12

Figure 6 Mud Creek sediment pond looking upstream after excavation ................................................. 13

Figure 7 Looking upstream along excavated channel to culvert .............................................................. 14

Figure 8 Culvert outflow from Mud Creek slope to sediment pond ......................................................... 15

Figure 9 Looking downstream along excavated channel to sediment ponds, March 2016 ..................... 16

Figure 10 Volunteers harvesting willow stakes ......................................................................................... 18

Figure 11 Spawning Chorus frogs .............................................................................................................. 19

Figure 12 Tailed Frog tadpole.................................................................................................................... 19

Figure 13 Chorus Frog tadpoles ................................................................................................................ 20

Figure 14 Species At Risk present at Mud Creek location ......................................................................... 20

Figure 15 Volunteers installing willow stakes for trial erosion control ..................................................... 21

Figure 16 Bioengineering volunteers on the slope above Mud Creek sediment pond ............................ 22

List of Tables

Table 1 Pre-and post excavation water quality results ............................................................................ 17

16.ALU.02

6

Introduction The Alouette River salmonid species which had previously spawned upstream of the dam were impeded

from reaching the upper watershed due to the presence of the Alouette Dam. This man-made

obstruction resulted in the extirpation of the Sockeye and Chinook salmon from the Alouette Watershed

by the next salmon cycle following reservoir construction. The flows downstream of the dam were

drastically decreased and, at times, stopped altogether with severe impacts on the coho, chum, pink,

cutthroat and steelhead populations leaving them struggling to survive. The earth-filled dam was

modernized in 1984 by BC Hydro to improve seismic standards and further improved in 1993 when the

spillway was reconstructed. Upstream passage was not considered for salmon at that time.

The lower South Alouette River and its tributaries, in this post construction period, support reduced

anadromous runs of coho, steelhead, pink, Chinook, and chum salmon. ALLCO is a community hatchery

run in partnership with the Ministry of Justice-Corrections’ staff, the Alouette River Management

Society, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Chinook were reintroduced in 1997 from Harris/Chilliwack

stocks. Pinks were extirpated by about 1965 and were reintroduced through a hatchery program

operated out of ALLCO Hatchery, Maple Ridge, on the Alouette River in 1985.

In 1973, Kwast Contracting Ltd. mined the gravel out of Mud Creek. BC Hydro facilitated that mining by

providing access to the area on their “Fee Simple” private road. The slopes of Mud Creek are steep

(vertical at one point). During heavy rainfall, clay-based material and other fines from the steep banks

become mobile into Mud Creek. In the 1990s, before the Alouette had higher flows, Ray Finnegan (DFO

P.Eng.) designed silt control ponds that are still there today to control the silt coming out of Mud Creek.

During winter months, downslope materials from Mud Creek flow into the sediment trap. However, the

sediment trap is very close to full and these materials could flow directly over the wooden weir at the

base of the trap and into the South Alouette River resulting in impacts to salmonid and non-salmonid

species spawning and rearing habitat. Fine silts and clays from the downslope flows cover redds, infill

large woody debris and other important instream components. This wooden weir was built

approximately twelve years ago (pers.comm. Ron MacLean, 28 Oct 2014). A preliminary site review was

performed by Al Jonsson (DFO engineer, Habitat branch) on 29 October 2014 to ascertain the limitations

of the site and any possible risks to completing the project. He advised that the wooden weir may need

to be removed and replaced with either a similar framework or that lock-blocks or boulders sourced

from the site could be used in conjunction with a wooden frame on the upside of the boulders. This

would be a site specific fit given that the extent to which this structure may need to be replaced cannot

be ascertained fully until the area is excavated.

The project proposal is aligned with the Salmonid Action Plan Objective 1 – To ensure a productive and

diverse aquatic ecosystem, Sub-objective 1, Maximize the viability of anadromous salmonids, Table 2,

Action – Maintain existing constructed habitat enhancements for all salmonids and Action – Assess

efficacy of habitat enhancements undertaken by the program. By addressing these actions through this

proposed project, ARMS hopes to reduce the possibility of as much fine silt moving into the South

Alouette from a failure of Mud Creek sediment and subsequently onto salmonid spawning areas.

16.ALU.02

7

Goals and Objectives

Objective 1 – Project Coordination & pre-excavation survey and community engagement

Direct coordination with onsite project coordinator and environmental manager will begin in early spring

to ascertain the appropriate worksite practices, timing of the work to be completed, the removal of the

spoils and any mitigation measures around sediment or Species at Risk as necessary. Engaging the

contractor to excavate approximately 5 years worth of fill from Mud Creek including fines, gravels and

other materials will commence in mid-late spring. Pre-excavation turbidity monitoring using volunteers

will commence during April-May downstream from Mud Creek and at the Allco Hatchery to gather data

relating to the amount of instream sediment flows from Mud Creek in the spring. ARMS will commence

community engagement with outreach acknowledging FWCP’s contribution and involvement.

This goal was achieved. The early surveying was responsible for the decision to start as early as June 8th

due to the severe drought conditions.

Objective 2 – Excavate fill from Mud Creek sediment pond and remove spoils

Contractor will excavate the fill from Mud Creek sediment pond, and where necessary prior to excavation

will install sedimentation controls (under the environmental manager’s advice and supervision) and

pumping to remove any water that may be in the pond. Spoils will be trucked up to 256th Access Road

dump site (BC Hydro Properties Division approval attached) which is approximately 2 kilometres north of

the excavation site along the BC Hydro access road to the Alouette Dam.

This objective was achieved during the week of June 8th-12th Mission Contractors removed 150 loads x

11m3/load =1650 mᶟ via John Deere 250 D Rock Truck and 100 loads x 7mᶟ/load =700 mᶟ by Volvo dump

truck for a total sediment removal of 2350 cubic meters. The fill from Mud Creek sediment pond was

trucked up to the 256th Access Road.

Objective 3 – Refurbish/replace wooden weir at base of Mud Creek sediment pond if required

After excavation, Fraser Regional Correctional Centre work crews and supervisor with guidance from DFO

habitat engineer or on-site environmental manager will assess the state of wooden weir at the base of

the sediment trap. The weir structure will be removed, repaired and reinstalled including any in-trap

deflection structures depending upon requirements.

The Fraser Regional Correctional team inspected the wooden weir and determined that the weir would

be better left intact to prevent ground disturbance and erosion. It was decided that the weir would be

reinforced to increase its longevity and functionality using gravel and wooden planks.

16.ALU.02

8

Objective 4 – Conduct post-excavation turbidity monitoring with community engagement

After completion of the excavation work and any required improvements to the weir and deflection

structures, ARMS will organize post-construction monitoring at Mud Creek and at the Allco Hatchery to

gather data relating to turbidity. ARMS volunteers, other interested local residents, Katzie First Nations,

BCIT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program students, 1st Laityview Scouts will be contacted to conduct

these activities with ARMS supervision. BC Hydro will provide a professional RP Bio advice and turbidity

equipment for this monitoring.

Monitoring has been ongoing thanks to help from two University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) students,

under supervision of our professional water Geochemist, Sophie Smith. One class was held by Dan

Stewart on bioengineering erosion control. 11 people attended the course and a trial bioengineering

erosion control method was set up on the cliff above the sediment control ponds.

16.ALU.02

9

Study Area The South Alouette River is located in the City of Maple Ridge, British Columbia. The South Alouette

River Watershed is a relatively small system (144 sq. km) arising in the Coastal Mountains of the Golden

Ears Provincial Park, approximately 50km northeast of Vancouver, BC. The upper watershed flows into

an impounded reservoir known as Alouette Lake. At the reservoir’s river outlet, the South Alouette

River flows for 21 km through Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows before entering the Pitt River. The Pitt

River, in turn, flows south into the Fraser River at Douglas Island.

The Alouette Reservoir was constructed by the BC Electric Railway Company in 1925. A low-level earth-

filled dam was constructed on the southern outlet of what were then two lakes called “Lillooet Lakes”.

The Alouette River was impounded for hydroelectric power through reservoir storage. Virtually all of

the upper Alouette watershed inflows, above the dam, were redirected out of the watershed and into

the Stave Reservoir through a diversion tunnel at the northeast end.

The proposed project would involve the excavation of the Mud Creek sediment pond and possible

repairs/improvements to the wooden weir located at the base of the trap and in-trap deflection

structures. The proposed project site is located on the east bank above the South Alouette River

approximately 2 kilometres downstream from the base of the Alouette Dam. The current Mud Creek

sediment pond is located within the boundaries of the Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge.

Coordinates for the site are 49o16’29.79”N, 122o29’50.47”W.

Figure 1 Study Area including Mud Creek sediment pond

Mud Creek sediment pond

Alouette Reservoir and dam

16.ALU.02

10

Methods The Alouette Watershed Species At Risk Group (AWSARG) team walked the creek with ARMS staff to try

to determine where all the sediment originated from. ARMS has since found the location and hope to

put together a project in upcoming years to mitigate the landslide that had contributed to almost all of

the erosion on the hillside above the Mud Creek sediment ponds. The AWSARG team stated they would

be happy to bring in an expert at their own expense to see if such a project is possible.

There were discussions amongst AWSARG and ARMS staff about cutting off amphibian access to the

retention pools and creating another pond nearby, however by eliminating the source of the outflowing

silt we can keep the retention ponds for amphibious life and will not have to excavate them as often.

In early June 2015, Mission Contractors was hired to excavate the ponds. They used an excavator

careful not to disturb the surrounding plant life. Dump trucks were used to haul away the excavated

material. Mission Contractors dumped 250 loads of fill at the pre-approved dump site near the entrance

to the 256th Access-BC Hydro Access Road.

Figure 2 Mission Contractors excavating Mud Creek, June 2015

16.ALU.02

11

Figure 3 Dump truck taking excavated fill to 256th Access Road

Results and Outcomes The Department of Fisheries and Oceans senior engineer, Jonathan Bulcock, assessed the project site

prior to excavation, selected the earlier start date of June with Mission Contractors and coordinated the

excavation work. ARMS water quality technologist, Sophie Smith, did a preliminary survey of the water

quality in the Alouette River directly off the Mud Creek slope. Emily Gutenberg, ARMS staff member,

assisted with this process, there were also two volunteers present. During the same week the Species at

Risk council visit the site. There was some concern over the dry weather conditions for the amphibious

species and the tadpoles that were there. Most died naturally as the water disappeared rather quickly

the week before, some were removed and relocated.

During the week of June 8th-12th 2015,, Mission Contractors removed 150 loads x 11m3/load =1650 mᶟ via John Deere 250 D Rock Truck and 100 loads x 7mᶟ/load =700 mᶟ by Volvo dump truck for a total sediment removal of 2350 cubic meters. The plants growing on the banks of the retention pond remain intact. There are many fairly well established plants around the pond and these will continue to help with the retention. Mission Contractors created 3 sediment ponds within the project area that had been completely filled in. The outfall “creek” running from the culvert into the sediment ponds was also widened and the banks heightened to create a less steep slope coming down from the BC Hydro access road to the sediment ponds.

16.ALU.02

12

Figure 4 Before excavation - Mud Creek sediment pond – September 2013

Figure 5 Mud Creek sediment pond looking downstream after excavation

16.ALU.02

13

Figure 6 Mud Creek sediment pond looking upstream after excavation

16.ALU.02

14

Figure 7 Looking upstream along excavated channel to culvert

16.ALU.02

15

Figure 8 Culvert outflow from Mud Creek slope to sediment pond

16.ALU.02

16

Figure 9 Looking downstream along excavated channel to sediment ponds, March 2016

16.ALU.02

17

Pre-and post-excavation water surveys were held on the dates below by ARMS staff and 3 volunteers.

Water Monitoring Results

Date Time Water

Temperature (°C)

Dissolved Oxygen

(%)

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l)

Conductivity (µs/cm)

pH Turbidity

(NTU)

May 27, 2015

2:00 pm 16.1 97.0 9.51 10.3 7.25 0.15

June 22, 2015

1:30 pm 16.7 97.8 9.51 10.4 6.89 0.26

Feb 11, 2016

12:47 pm 6.4 96.9 11.91 10.2 N/A 0.32

Table 1 Pre-and post excavation water quality results

*probe went in for repair after Feb 11 finding, PH monitor unavailable

Each of the days surveyed were tested directly off the slope where the excavation took place. This

location has high canopy coverage and therefore the temperatures on both dates have remained fairly

consistent, noting the consistency of the time of day as well. Dissolved oxygen levels are in a stable and

healthy condition to support diverse aquatic life. Conductivity is low but is consistent throughout the

Alouette River as the dam holds back much of the sediment that travels down from the head waters. pH

is at a prime level. Turbidity is low but has increased slightly after the excavation.

In addition, Alouette Watershed Species At Risk Group (AWSARG) restoration ecologists Dan Stewart

and Chris Currie, hosted a 2-day workshop at the ARMS facility. Day 1 was an indoor day, where

bioengineering expert David Polster lectured the volunteer group on bioengineering methods, providing

many examples of when and how to employ it. Day 2 was a field day, where the volunteers were able to

apply the new knowledge. David Polster was with the group to walk them through each step of the

process. The group began by harvesting approximately 200 Salix scouleriana willow stakes from nearby

Alouette Road (beneath power lines, where hydro pruning was inevitable). The stakes were then used to

construct terraces within the eroding slope. Large diameter stakes were used as vertical supports, while

smaller cuttings were laid laterally to reinforce terrace steps. Willow is capable of rooting and sprouting

from stakes, so it was hoped that over the winter the stakes would develop roots, and by spring the

stakes would sprout (which they now are). Over time, the slope will gradually transform from an

eroding, sandy slope into a stable, vegetated hillside. A total of 10 volunteers, each contributed

approximately 7 hours for the bioengineering work day. In total, the volunteer group bioengineered 5

linear meters of eroding slope, of approximately 50 m along the road in total with approximately 50

sqm of slope stablilzed.

16.ALU.02

18

Figure 10 Volunteers harvesting willow stakes

Discussion The Species At Risk (SAR) team came out on three separate occasions: once before the excavation, once

during excavation, and once after excavation. Since 2015, was very dry there was no water in the

sediment pond itself. Therefore no tadpoles or frogs needed to be removed from the site during

excavation.

The SAR team walked the creek way to try to determine where all the sediment originated from. We

have since found the location and hope to put together a project in upcoming years to mitigate the

landslide that had contributed to almost all of the problem. The SAR team will bring in an expert at their

own expense to see if such a project is possible.

There was some talk about cutting off amphibian access to the retention pools and creating another

pond nearby, but perhaps by eliminating the source of the outflowing silt we can keep the retention

ponds for amphibious life and won’t have to excavate them as often.

16.ALU.02

19

Figure 11 Spawning Chorus frogs

Figure 12 Tailed Frog tadpole

16.ALU.02

20

Figure 13 Chorus Frog tadpoles

Figure 14 Species At Risk present at Mud Creek location

16.ALU.02

21

As a result of the discussions with the restoration ecologists with the Alouette Watershed Species At

Risk Group (AWSARG), the opportunity arose whereby a trial soil erosion workshop was arranged and

volunteers were gathered to install willow stakes to contain the source materials from the slope above

Mud Creek. Bioengineering was looked at as a method of retaining erosion and lengthening the period

of time between pond excavations. Bioengineering can be defined as the use of living plant materials to

perform engineering functions, from simple erosion control with grass and legume seeding to more

complex slope stabilization with willows and other plants. Soil bioengineering techniques can be used to

revegetate steep slopes, to treat seepage zones, to control surface erosion, and to mitigate riverbank

erosion. For many restoration practitioners, this is a welcome change to the typical rip rap, and hard-

engineered solutions we see. This slope is a pilot project, where we are investigating the use of

vegetation to reduce sediment and erosion issues in Mud Creek. It is our hope that the willow stakes will

grow into established shrubs over time, thus binding the soil and halting slope erosion processes.

Figure 15 Volunteers installing willow stakes for trial erosion control

16.ALU.02

22

Figure 16 Bioengineering volunteers on the slope above Mud Creek sediment pond

Recommendations

In terms of the sediment ponds, it would be beneficial to do smaller excavations more often so the

ponds would not fill as completely. Regular maintenance of these ponds would be considered

approximately every 5-6 years.

It would also be useful to try to get a team up into the more difficult to reach areas to form retention

barricades and do planting of willows and other retentive plants. The bioengineered retention wall was

effective in the area it was placed, and we could easily do more work in that location for preventative

measures as the hillside is coming down onto the road. However ARMS is unsure how realistic it would

be to get the materials needed to the area which causes most of the erosion into the creek itself. It is

hard to reach and would require many trips or many hikers carrying a lot of material a long distance.

16.ALU.02

23

Acknowledgements ARMS would like to recognize and thank the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program on behalf of its

program partners: BC Hydro, the Province of BC, Fisheries and Oceans, First Nations and Public

Stakeholders. ARMS would also like to thank the Pacific Salmon Foundation for their generous co-

funding of this project. This project would also like to thank Jonathan Bulcock (DFO), Al Jonnson (DFO),

Aimee Mitchell (Athene Ecological), Dan Stewart (Alouette Watershed Species At Risk Group), Chris

Currie (Alouette Watershed Species At Risk Group), Fraser Regional Correction staff, Ken Stewart (ARMS

President) for all of their extremely valuable in-kind expertise provided to this project.

16.ALU.02

24

Appendix

16.ALU.02

25

Mud Creek Sign and Kiosk

Alupanel sign completed

16.ALU.02

26

Completed sign with kiosk located at Allco Fish Hatchery

16.ALU.02

27

16.ALU.02

28

ARMS “What’s Up At ARMS!” – Spring/Summer 2015 newsletter

Alouette River Management Society

24959 Alouette Road, Maple Ridge, BC V4R1R8

604 - 467 - 6401 www.alouetteriver.org

ARMS Update

Spring & Summer 2015

Hello ARMS Members, Volunteers, Partners, & Friends! We are happy to share with you our accomplishments & updates during the first part of 015. It has

been a busy and exciting few months for us, and we are proud of how far we've come. Here is

what we've been up to:

16.ALU.02

29

SPRING BREAK & SUMMER CAMPS Our spring break camps were fully booked, as anticipated! We had 60 children attend our two weeks of Minecraft

themed day camps, immersed in hands-on learning and outdoor fun! We were able to provide volunteer experience

to 9 student Camp Councillors. Dan Mikolay did a phenomenal job managing the camps. As for summertime, we are

looking at a jam-packed July and August as we prepare to host 5 weeks of day camps: Super Mario Camp: July 6 - 10 SPORE Camp: July 13 - 17 Pokemon Camp: July 20 - 24 Minecraft III: July 27 - 31 Minecraft III: August 10 – 14 WELCOME, SOPHIE & ALEX! ARMS is pleased to welcome Sophie Smith as our new Acting Education Coordinator and Alex Bragg as our 2015 Summer Student. Sophie recently received her Bachelor's Degree in Geography from the University of the Fraser Valley with concentrations in Environmental Science. She is currently part of the internationally-recognized Global Rivers Observatory Project, and completed her practicum as a part of this project at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts, USA. Alexandria Bragg is currently completing her Bachelor's Degree in Geography at the

University of the Fraser Valley with concentrations in Environmental Studies and Forest Conservation. She is our flora

and vegetation expert here and will be assisting with planting prescriptions and other ARMS events and activities

during her time with us.

KAZTIE SLOUGH BLIND CHANNEL MONITORING We have recently begun our seasonal stewardship monitoring of the Katzie Slough blind channel in Pitt Meadows. We do water-quality testing, invertebrate counting, and vegetation surveys of the site regularly between April and

August each year to track the health and progress of the blind channel. Thank you to Pacific Salmon Foundation for

providing the fourth year of funding for this five year study.

CONGRATULATIONS GRETA & DAVE We are thrilled to announce the birth of Eoin Borick-Cunningham, born January 18th, 2015 to ARMS Executive

Director Greta Borick-Cunningham and her loving husband Dave. We are so happy that Eoin is doing well, and look

forward to having Greta return to ARMS in 2016.

NEW WATER-QUALITY TESTING EQUIPMENT, NEW FRONTIERS ARMS has recently purchased a Lamotte 2020we electronic handheld turbidity meter and a professional-grade YSI

multiparameter probe to allow staff and volunteers to test water quality throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

with ease and accuracy. This new digital equipment far exceeds the accessibility of our outdated manual equipment

and methods. We are eager to get out in the field and expand our reach as we collect data from local creeks,

streams, and rivers, and develop a more comprehensive understanding of nearby watersheds. We are especially

16.ALU.02

30

thankful to the Pitt River Area Watershed Network (PRAWN), who carried out incredible environmental stewardship in

Pitt Meadows and were generous enough to establish a watershed-monitoring fund for ARMS when they dissolved. BEE SATURDAYS ARE BACK! That's right, our weekly beekeeping workshops have started! Attend our FREE workshops every Saturday from 12pm

- 2pm at the Rivers Heritage Centre. Suit up, get up-close-and-personal with our friendly honeybees, and learn all

about these fascinating creatures in a safe, fun way! Contact our beekeeper Loretta Jackson at thebeelady@outlook.com to RSVP, or call 604-467-6401.

O.W.L.E.S COMMUNITY WORKSHOP ARMS is hosting an exciting FREE workshop on June 14th at the Rivers Heritage Centre as part of our new Owls,

Wildlife, & Endangered Species program, funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Raptors Ridge Birds

of Prey will be bringing LIVE birds, and attendees will get the opportunity to dissect REAL owl pellets and analyze the

skeletons within them while learning about habitats, local ecosystems, and food chains. All ages welcome, space is

limited. RSVP by contacting us at 604-467-6401 or voluncomm@alouetteriver.org. 11am-2pm.

MAPLE RIDGE ADOPT-A-BLOCK-PROGRAM Have YOU adopted your block yet? Join the Maple Ridge Adopt-A-Block Program and sign up to look after a section

of your neighbourhood. Equipment is provided, and members are eligible for municipal street sign of recognition

installed at adoption site. Adopt-A-Block also participates in bimonthly cleanups of the downtown Maple Ridge core

with the municipal Community Builders team, and recently hosted its first geocaching litter pickup called a CITO (Cache-In-Trash-Out) cleanup of 256th Street on May 16th. Email adoptablock@alouetteriver.org or visit

www.alouetteriver.org/adopt-a-block for more information.

PROJECT APPROVALS Aren't we lucky! ARMS was approved for 4 ongoing projects this year: the Experimental Sockeye Enumeration Project, the Adult Sockeye Enumeration Project, Mud Creek Restoration Project, and the Alouette Side Channel Project. ARMS has been extremely fortunate to receive funding from BC Hydro's Fish & Wildlife Compensation

Project for three projects, the Pacific Salmon Foundation for three projects, and Innergex for one project. These

groups provide the money we need to design and carry out complex plans in order to enhance, restore, and protect

sensitive ecosystems and species that are extremely valuable to the health and strength of natural habitats in British

Columbia. THANK YOU!

EVENTS ARMS ATTENDED - Annual Scouts Nite Hike - Maple Ridge Earth Day 2015 -

Pitt Meadows Earth Day 2015

UPCOMING EVENTS - OWLES Community Workshop, June 14th 11am - 2pm, Rivers Heritage Centre - Father's Day Fish Release, June 21st 11am - 2pm, Maple Ridge Park - Country Fest 2015, July 25th and 26th at the Albion Fairgrounds - Ridge Meadows Rivers Day, September 27th 2015

Questions? Comments?

16.ALU.02

31

Looking for volunteer opportunities?

CONTACT US at voluncomm@alouetteriver.org.

Find us on social media @AlouetteRiverMS

16.ALU.02

32

Tours to the Mud Creek Sediment Ponds

Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program – Fall 2015 tour to the project site (10 people in attendance)

Aevitas, City of Maple Ridge Environmental staff, BC Hydro – Winter 2016 tour to the project site (12

people in attendance. (January 19, 2016)

16.ALU.02

33