Upper Nechako Resident Fish Survey

NEEF Funding: $50,000

Total Project Budget: $230,340

Start Date: April 2025

End Date: January 2027

Description:

EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. will conduct a detailed fisheries assessment of the fish community and their habitats in the Upper Nechako Watershed in 2025. The assessment will include investigations in the Nechako River mainstem, five of its tributaries, and the canyon reach upstream of Cheslatta Falls. Fish sampling and habitat assessments are planned throughout the spring, summer and fall to identify important seasonal habitats, and seasonal changes in local fish community structure.

Project Goals:

• To describe the current state of the fish community in the upper Nechako watershed to inform any changes proposed to discharge from the Skins Lake Spillway and to flow regulation decisions.
• To engage with the Nechako First Nations to provide employment and mentorship opportunities that will develop individual skills and career paths while facilitating their involvement and stewardship of projects and decisions in the Nechako watershed.

The Fish Community Survey will include three defined tasks:

• Tributaries surveys - fish habitat data will be collected with special attention given to identifying and describing critical habitats, such as those used for spawning.
• Nechako mainstem surveys - a representative reach of the mainstream will be selected with a variety of habitat types. 
• Nechako Canyon surveys - traditional methods will be paired with eDNA sampling at the Cheslatta Fan, and eDNA samples will be collected from the larger ponds upstream where access is feasible

Proponent: EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc.