Cheakamus River October 2003 Flood Restoration Project (04.Ch.03) NVOS Hatchery in flood October 2003 Canada Government of Canada Fisheries and Oceans North Vancouver Outdoor School
Cheakamus River October 2003 Flood Restoration Final Report Submitted by: NorthVancouver Outdoor School School District #44 Prepared by: Carl Halvorson with financial support of the BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program Executive Summary 1. Introduction 2. Study Area 3. Methods 4. Results 5. Acknowledgements Appendices Table of Contents A. Financial Statements B. Restoration Details (maps / photos / drawings) 1. Site Location Map 2. NVOS Site Map 3. Photo Pages 1-5 4. Far Point intake site map 5. Bighouse channel layout 6. Eagle Point Connector channel layout C. Additional Information
Executive Summary This project involved restoration and reconstruction of channel habitats and support structures for salmonid habitat located at North Vancouver Outdoor School (NVOS) that were impacted by the October 2003 flood of record on the Cheakamus River. Several sites on property were damaged. Works included required upgrades to the dike at the Far Point intake, repair of the dike and valve intake at the Gorbuscha intake valve (previous BCRP project 02.Ch.6), reconstruction of a protective berm washed away on Moodie s Channel, restoration of two sections of Moodie s Channel, replacement of LWDs in the Moodie s Sidechannel pond complex, replacement of LWDs in the Canoe Pond and Hydro Pond. Other restoration works after the 2003 flood included the reconstruction of Kisutch Channel and restoration of the protective berm that prevent flood flows that outflank NVOS dikes to flow down through the NVOS hatchery and downstream spawning channels and replacement of a roadbridge crossing Lower Paradise Channel. This project involved restoration of 350 meters of sidechannel, repairing 2800 square meters (m 2 ) of habitat and 1600 m 2 of new habitat. More than 130 pieces of Large Woody Debris (LWDs) and rootwads were replaced in various pond complexes. This project was link to other ongoing initiatives funded by various partnership groups including the School Protection Program, the Provincial Emergency Program, District of Squamish, School District #44 and the concurrent BCRP project 04.Ch.1 (Mykiss Channel Construction). Introduction The North Vancouver Outdoor School (NVOS) has worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and various funding partners to develop salmon habitat restoration projects on school property over the last two decades. These projects have been directed at improving spawning and rearing habitats for coho, chum, chinook and pink salmon. NVOS has operated a teaching hatchery that has produced chum, chinook and coho fry for over two decades. This project was directed at restoring important spawning and rearing habitats and support structures damaged in the October 2003 flood of record. Study Area The restoration sites are located off the west bank of the Cheakamus River on property owned by the North Vancouver Outdoor School, School District 44 (North Vancouver). Map reference is Natural Resources Canada NTS map Cheakamus 92G/14. between (Far Point intake structure): N 49 49. 844' W123 09. 396' and (the Moodie s Channel exit): N 49 48. 687' W123 08. 983'
Methods Materials excavated during the linked BCRP project 04.Ch.1 were utilized to restore and upgrade protective dike and berm infrastructures. Approx. 2080 m 3 of rock was excavated from the Farpoint intake site and placed on the reconstructed dike nearby. Appox, 2200 m 3 of engineered fill supplied by the District of Squamish was placed and compacted during reconstruction of this dike. (This material supplied by the District of Squamish replaced aluvial gravels borrowed from NVOS to make emergency repairs to Paradise Valley Road - immediately following the October 2003 flood) Approx. 50 m 3 of excavated fill was used to fill and repair flood damage at the Gorbuscha intake valve site. Approx. 100 m 3 of excavated rock was transported to repair the Gorbuscha Intake site. Approx. 1275 m 3 of excavated fill was transported to the Moodie s Channel protective berm. This material was placed and compacted with funding from the Provincial Emergency Program. Approx. 500 m 3 of excavate fill was transported, placed and compacted to repair the protective berm just north of the NVOS hatchery. Excavation was done with Cat 225, 235 and 320 excavators and Cat 966 loaders. Material was moved around site by a variety of standard dump trucks and a D250 Cat truck. LWDs were replaced using a Cat 320 excavator for placement and transported with standard dump trucks and a D250 Cat truck. LWDs were supplied by NVOS. NVOS partnered with Fisheries and Oceans Canada during all phases of the design and development of these restoration works. Results Repair work after the 2003 flood has resulted in restoration of a total of almost 2800 square metres (m 2) of enhanced off channel spawning and rearing habitat for pink, chinook, coho, and chum salmon and steelhead trout. Reconstruction work at the NVOS Bighouse / Canoe Pond outfall has resulted in the creation of 90 m of new side channel habitat totalling approx. 400 m 2 in area. Approx. 70+ LWDs were replaced in various habitats. The Farpoint intake dike was upgraded to Ministry standards with the addition of 2000 m 3 of rock supplied during excavation of the new intake outflow channel and pond. The berm protecting the NVOS hatchery and downstream salmonid habitats was repaired with the addition of 500 m 3 of compacted materials. Repairs to the Moodie s Channel re-established approx. 1600 m 2 of prime chum spawning habitat.
Reconstruction work of the NVOS Canoe Pond / Eagle Point Intake connector channel has resulted in the re-creation of 200 m of side channel habitat, totalling approx. 1200 m 2 in area, that was destroyed or damaged during the October 2003 flood event. Approx. 60+ LWDs were placed during this phase of construction, creating several refuge areas and log jamb features. 5: Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without the financial support of BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program and the technical and supervisory support of Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pacific Region Habitat and Enhancement Branch, particularly Matt Foy, Harold Beardmore, and Sam Gidora. Excavation contraction was provided by John Hunter Ltd. Engineered gravel for dike reconstruction was supplied by the District of Squamish (replacing materials borrowed from North Vancouver Outdoor School to make emergency road repairs following the October 2003 flood event). Additional funding to complete repairs detailed in this report were supplied by the School Protection Plan, the Provincial Emergency Program and School District #44. Rock, additional gravels and LWDs were supplied on site by North Vancouver Outdoor School. Letters of support were furnished for the initial funding application by: Randall Lewis Squamish Nation; Harold Beardmore P.Eng. Fisheries and Oceans; Edith Tobe, for the Squamish River Watershed; Steve Rochetta BC WLAP Habitat Officer for Squamish; Jesse Neri, for DFO confirming contribution; Diane Schartner, for the Pacific Foundation for Understanding Nature.
Appendix A: Financial Statement - Expenditures Cost Item Description Unit cost Construction - equipment Cat 235,325 excavator 49,243.49 Invoice #255 966 loader, dump trucks Blasting Site prep / blasting rock 1033.64 Blasting Site prep / blasting rock 3098.24 Freight Bridge deck delivery 856.00 Freight Bridge deck delivery 529.65 NVOS Invoice # 3800 October, 25,2004 54,761.02 Construction - equipment Cat 325 excavator 3964.35 Invoice #362 D250 Cat truck NVOS Invoice # 3805 3964.35 Invoice Totals $58,725.37 Grant Amount: 59,000.00 (274.63)surplus
Appendix A: Financial Statement - Contributions In-Kind Contributions Supplied by: Unit Value: Total: Senior Biologist DFO 5days @ $700 3,500.00 Senior Engineer DFO 5 days @ $700 3,500.00 Design / Supervision NVOS 10 days @ $500 5,000.00 Construction / engineering support DFO 20 days @ $450 9,000.00 Labour: Landscaping / seeding DFO 10 days @ $200 2,000.00 Labour: Building trails NVOS 10 days @ $300 3,000.00 Labour: Replacing bridges NVOS 2 days @ $300 600.00 Monitoring DFO 10 days @ $500 5,000.00 Gravel NVOS 30,000.00 Rip rap rock NVOS 20,000.00 Large Woody Debris NVOS 5,000.00 Labour: Accounting, copies, reports etc. NVOS 2,300.00 Concrete Bridge Decks DFO 5,000.00 Digital imaging DFO/NVOS 200.00 Groundcover seed (inc. freight) DFO 200.00 Footbridge materials NVOS 800.00 Total In-Kind Contributions $95,100.00
Appendix B: Recognition of BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program All publicity activities will be made in the name of the "BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. Information regarding the project will be communicated to members of the Squamish River Watershed Society which include most of the groups in the area that are interested in fish and wildlife issues. The North Vancouver Outdoor School produces a school newsletter, which goes out to a wide audience of staff, students, alumni and partners. This project has been included in that newsletter. Appendix C: Construction Details / Images (see attached files) Site location map NVOS site plan Photo pages (5) Far Point intake site plan Bighouse Channel reconstruction site plan Eagle Point Connector Channel site plan Appendix D: Additional Information Far Point dike approval letter from Diking Authority
Howe Sound Monmouth Creek Stoney Creek Squamish River Pilchuk Creek Squamish WSC GAUGE 08GA043 Cheakamus River Culliton Creek Map Key: Squamish Watershed Mamquam River Mashiter Creek Cheekye River Cheakamus Flood Restoration: 2004 (04.Ch.3) Cheakamus River Habitats Off - channel Habitats River Bars (from flood plain mapping) BC Hydro transmission corridor BC Hydro transmission tower Squamish Valley Road Cheekye River North Vancouver Outdoor School Paradise Valley Road BM 77HA915 EL55.411 CN Railway Water Elev. Gauge: WSG 08GA043 CHEAKAMUS RIVER: Cheekye River confluence - Swift Creek confluence N 49 49.596' W123 09.121' 10U 0489065 UTM 5519143 Midnight Way Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Site Locator
N 49 49.844' W123 09.396' Site A Far Point Intake Tenderfoot Hatchery N 49 49.687' W123 09.238' Wountie West Mykiss Habitat Channels N W E S BCR Spawning Channel Far Point Habitat Channels Dave's Ponds N 49 49.617' W123 09.136' Site E Repaired Trail Repaired Trail Wountie East Site F Paradise Valley Road Upper Paradise Channel Gorbuscha West Channel Kisutch Refuge Channel Site G Habitat Channel Kiwi North BC Hydro Shelter Kisutch Refuge Channel Bob's Berm Gorbuscha Channel East Site H Site D Hatchery Repaired Trails Replaced Bridge Cheakamus River CN Railway Main Building Road Evans Lake BCR Mile 49 Channel duck pond North Vancouver Outdoor School School District #44 Private Property Eagle Point Site J To: Evans Lake Levette Lake Hutt Lake Creek Forest chee-yak-mush CN Railway N 49 48.810' W123 09.022' Site B Paradise Valley Road Emerald Forest Emerald fish weir place Bighouse Lillooet Gold Rush Trail N 49 48.687' W123 08.983' Site C Site I culturally modified cedars 6 km to Highway #99 16 km to Squamish Fish Camp Replaced Bridges Repaired Trails Moody's Spawning Channel Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Site Map
Far Point Dike / Outlet Pond Reconstruction (site A on locator map) Far Point Intake Site: Preconstruction (panorama looking from south - west - north from A on site plan) Far Point Intake Site: Pond / Dike Reconstruction (looking northeast from B on site plan) Far Point Intake Site: Pond / Dike Completion (looking northeast from C on site plan) Far Point Intake Site: Dike Completion (looking southeast from D on site plan) Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Photo page 1
Far Point Dike Reconstruction Quarry Cleanup / Rock Recovery (site A) The least expensive supply of rock to rebuild the Far Point dike was available in the abandoned NVOS quarry, adjacent to the intake site. This rock source had been mined for several previous enhancement projects - leaving many large boulders that required blasting. Laying rock toe protecting Far Point intake pipe Preparing to blast in Far Point quarry site Crews blasted the rocks into appropriate sizes for riprap. Additional charges were set to remove a rock sill that intruded into the intake outfall site. This provided additional required rock and allowed the intake to be situated tight to the rocks on the west side, saving a large cottonwood roosting tree that would have otherwise required removal. Additional materials excavated from the old quarry site and new intake headpond were used for nonstructural portions of the reconstructed dike and to fill the breach in the south berm that protects Moodie s and Lower Paradise Channels approx. 1 km downstream. Far Point Dike Reconstruction The impacts of the 2003 flood captured the attention of mainstream government agencies. Dikes that were once considered bank protection were now being reassessed and the Far Point area attracted this review. Staff from the office of the Inspector of Dikes and engineers representing the District of Squamish reviewed the proposed works in this area and we were obligated to include their recommendations into new design criteria. Excavating Far Point intake headpond Far Point intake pipe scour protection completed Additional rock was installed along the intake pipe to protect it from scour and the dike core was constructed with compacted structural fill. The siting of the dike was also pulled farther back, maximizing the floodplain. Primary dike elevation was raised by 1 meter in the reconstructed area. Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Photo page 2
Site Repairs Moodie's Channel / Bighouse Connector (site B) Approx. 90 metres of channel was reconstructed where flood waters destroyed the Canoe Pond outfall culverts / control structures and connecting channel to Moodie s Spawning Channel. Removing flood debris prior to South Berm reconstruction Constructing Bighouse connector channel Completed repair of South Berm South Berm / Moodie's Channel (site C) Approx. 50 metres of berm protecting Moodie s Channel was reconstructed using 1250 m 3 of material excavated from the Far Point intake pond extension. Flood debris blocking Moodie s Channel was removed and 50 meters of the channel and stream side trail rebuilt, restoring access to upstream spawning and rearing habitats. Completed Bighouse connector channel prior to rewatering Repairs to Moodie s Channel Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Photo page 3
Site Repairs (cont... ) Eagle Point Channel / Moodie's Channel (site J) Approx. 185 metres of dike along the NVOS Canoe Pond was washed out by the October 2003 flood event. This dike protected the inflow channel and ponds connected to the Eagle Point Intake that supplied significant flows to the Moodie s and Lower Paradise channel systems. Profiling new Eagle Point Connector channel Channel Profiling: The initial construction phase was completed with funding from the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) and School District #44 (North Vancouver). Channel engineering was provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Canoe Pond Dike November 2003 The Eagle Point connector channel that existed behind this dike prior to the flood was also infilled with flood debris, rendering the intake inoperable. The Provincial Diking Authority approved reconstruction of the dike only if the new structure was placed farther to the west on the existing flood plain - requiring that the existing fisheries channel infrastructure destroyed in the flood be relocated. A relic river swale was identified in the forest approx. 50 metres from the old channel site. Clean alluvial gravels excavated during construction of this replacement channel were mixed with other structural gravels crushed on site to form the dike s core. Organic soils were used to top dress the pond side slopes of the new dike. Completed channel BCRP funding was utilized to complete channel profiling, to bring the finished channel to grade and to complete LWD complexing. In total, 200 metres of channel was constructed for a combined area of 1200 m2. Over 60 pieces of large woody debris was used to create refuge and log jam features. Aerial view of completed dike along Canoe Pond and Eagle Point Connector channel Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Photo page 4
Site Repairs (cont... ) Replacing Wood Complexing The October 2003 flood washed out much of the wood complexing installed in channel habitats. More than 70 root wads and logs were replaced. Replacing LWDs Gorbuscha Channel (site d ) Gorbuscha intake (site e ) Gorbuscha Intake Repairs The October 2003 flood scoured rock infill around the Gorbuscha intake site. Rock was provided for use during the District of Squamish reconstruction of the dike infrastructure in this area. The access trail to the Gorbuscha intake valve was badly scoured and was repaired with the addition of several truck loads of fill. LWDs installed in Moodie's Side Channel ponds (site i ) Hatchery Berm under repair (site h ) Hatchery Berm The berm protecting the NVOS Hatchery was reinforced with 500 cm of compacted fill. LWDs installed in Hydro Pond (site g ) Reinstalling footbridge on Gorbuscha channel (site f ) Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Photo page 5
Existing Far Point Intake Photo Reference Arrows Cheaka 04.Ch.1 / Final Report / Photo page 1 crest of new dike 2004 top of old dike crest DWG.NO. dike realignment 2004 5 m crest 61.0 m elevation +/- headwall 3' valve assembly REFERENCE DRAWINGS new pond (2004) DESIGNED line of rock toe SITE SKETCH - (PRECONSTRUCTION) ALL DIMENSIONS REPRESENTATIVE. new intake pipe (2004) location of old concrete box NOTES 1 MAY 21 2004 NO. DATE: CHEAKAMUS RIVER FAR POINT INTAKE SITE PLAN SITE PLAN SHEET 1 SCALE: DATE: May 2004 SEPT 2004 DRAWING NUMBER: CH-04-03 REVISION 2 25 m large cottonwoods 17.5 m 18.5 m 0+70 0+67 0+60 large cottonwood 336 º o magnetic A 0+50 0+80 0+54 nail - Underhill and Underhill monument #296-2004 (destroyed) base of mountain DRAWN: CH CHECKED RECOMMENDED APPROVED APPROVED REVISION 0-20 0-10 4 m 6 m 0+00 9 m 4 m 5.5 m 6 m 3 m 0+30 0+10 0+15 0+20 15 m 19 m 21 m 7 m 0+40 24 m edge of clearing edge of river / channel C 3 m large rock 0-36 0-30 D 2 SEPT 29 2004 C B SKETCH - AS BUILT NEW DOWNSTREAM INTAKE PIPE / VALVE / POND ALL DIMENSIONS REPRESENTATIVE. Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Intake Site Final Sketch
90.0 Moodie's/Lower Paradise spawning channels control weir North Vancouver Outdoor School School District #44 80.0 Canada Government of Canada Fisheries and Oceans 70.0 control weir Cheakamus October 2003 Flood Damage Restoration BCRP project: 04.Ch.03 Moodie's Channel: Site B Bighouse Repair scale: one unit = 10 m 60.0 control weir chalvorson. 9.4.2004 Reach Specifications: 90 metres in length 400 m 2 channel total 200 m 2 "refuge" pockets 9 LWDs Skw'une-was Activity Shed 40.0 50.0 control weir flow Average reach gradient - riffle/pool drops Smoke House Cook Shelter 30.0 Skw'une-was Bighouse 20.0 BCR Railcar Bridge S 10.0 E W N NVOS Canoe Pond 0.0 Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Bighouse Site Final Sketch
point end of works 0+295 0+290 0+110 0+100 0+90 0+80 0+10 0-5 0+340 0+330 0+320 0+310 0+300 0+280 0+270 0+260 0+250 0+240 0+230 0+220 0+210 0+200 0+190 0+180 0+170 0+160 0+150 0+140 0+130 0+120 0+70 0+60 0+50 0+40 0+30 0+20 0+0 0 10 50 20 30 0+50 40 150 80 130 RST anchor to Bighouse Canoe Pond new dike crest alignment line of new rock toe reconstructed pond side trail to Bighouse Cheakamus River left bank line of floodplain at railway right of way line of washed out toe wood debris used to create log jam and other refuge habitat features location of channel and pond prior to flood 250 North Vancouver Outdoor School School District #44 Canada Government of Canada Fisheries and Oceans Cheakamus River (flow) 200 210 220 230 240 Cheakamus October 2003 Flood Damage Restoration BCRP project: 04.Ch.03 Moodie's Channel: Site J Eagle Point Reconstruction scale: one unit = 10 m chalvorson. 3.14.2005 Water Survey of Canada Brackendale gauge location of roadway and dike prior to flood telephone pole 190 180 170 160 Reach Specifications: 200 metres in length 1200 m 2 channel total 270 m 2 "refuge" pockets 60+ LWDs 140 Average reach gradient 0.1% wood debris used to create log jam and other refuge habitat features 120 110 90 100 new trail infrastructure to replace Fuzzy s Forest Foray destroyed during dike reconstruction funded by public donations top of bank 60 70 new salmonid channel infrastructure pre-existing channel was under the new dike realignment S E W N cottonwood off roadway to NVOS cabins existing intake structure cottonwood off roadway Cheakamus River 2003 Flood Restoration / 04.Ch.3 / Final Report / Eagle Point Site Final Sketch