The Hepworth Anglers Club (HAC) is in the midst of its fifth year of Spring Creek Fish fish habitat restoration work. Temporary deployment of a series of portable timber mats and cradles, as shown in the photos, provides access for equipment and habitat restoration materials, while protecting the stream banks, trees and existing in channel structure.

The project contractor is Tom MacDonald Excavating and the team includes student Trevor Hood, HAC members, stream restoration specialist Chris Cummings of Matrix/Parish Aquatics, Dr. James Hamilton and students of Wilfrid Laurier University, with support from various other organizations and individuals.

This year’s work includes embedding cedar tree root wads and crowns into the stream bank to create cover, habitat complexity and local scouring. Creating and enhancing spawning shoals and riffles by placing boulders and angular spawning stone in strategic locations. Installing cedar log “lunkers” to create undercut banks for refuge habitat and planting riparian shrubs to create overhanging cover and stabilize banks. In addition, four side channels have been restored to increase rearing and nursery habitat. Physical aeration and cover structures using natural wood materials will be installed in other side channels. A jump pool below an old mill dam will be restored to enhance fish passage to and from upstream spawning and nursery areas.

Funding for this year’s work was received from the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and the Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry).