The Streamkeepers Program is a stewardship initiative intended to set guidelines and protocols for groups to survey and monitor streams in their community. All members of the VOLWS Stream Team are trained in Streamkeepers methods.
| Teanook Creek is a tributary of Craigflower Creek. The Stream Team conducted two surveys of Teanook in 1998 and 1999: one at an area disturbed by 4X4 traffic on the Thetis Lake Park fire access road, and the other at an undisturbed site upstream from the fire access road. A 1998 project took steps to reestablish the stream channel and habitat in the disturbed area. This area is still being monitored routinely. | |
Below is a summary of what tests were performed at each survey site and what results we found, as outlined in the Stream Keepers Manual.
At each site we did a basic stream survey which involved taking measurements such as temperature, wetted channel width and depth, bankfull channel width and depth and water clarity at the start and end points of the survey. We also did a more advanced survey which involved mapping out a cross-sectional area, classifying habitat over the length of the stream being surveyed (whether it was a pool or a riffle), describing the material composing the streambed and what kind of cover the stream provide for fish species (such as large woody debris and cutbanks). Bank stability and the vegetation comprising the riparian zone were also assessed. A water quality survey was then conducted including such measurements as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. We undertook the collection and identification of stream invertebrates as part of the process of describing the adequacy of the fish habitat and as good indicators of pollution in the water. The trapping of juvenile fish at each site allowed us to determine which fish were users of Teanook Creek.
At the undisturbed site we found the habitat and water quality acceptable. However, we found that the site was only marginal with reference to invertebrates. We also captured juvenile cutthroat trout.
At the disturbed site we found the habitat and water quality to be acceptable. We also found the site to be acceptable with reference to invertebrate species. We found cutthroat trout at this site as well.
This study establishes important baseline data, as the disturbed site is currently being restored. Any future surveys can be compared to this one to determine changes occurring after restoration is complete.