Madrone is regularly involved in the management of freshwater fish and fish habitat for both the public and private sectors. The Capital Regional District, which is responsible for the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area, requested Madrone’s services to protect aquatic species during a drawdown of Charter’s Reservoir located in Sooke, BC. This reservoir provides important habitat for various aquatic species, including Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Rough-skinned Newts.
The dam structure requires periodic maintenance that involves draining the reservoir down to water levels that permit machine access. Madrone implemented mitigation measures specified in an Environmental Management Plan during the maintenance work to ensure that impacts to aquatic resources were avoided. Prior to reservoir drawdown, Madrone Biologists captured and transported hundreds of fish to a nearby hatchery where fish health was monitored by Madrone staff. Once all fish had been captured and the reservoir pumped to lower water levels, amphibians were also collected and moved to nearby aquatic habitat away from the work site.
Project Information
Client:
The Capital Regional District
Location:
Greater Victoria Water Supply Area
Date:
August 2024