Big Bar landslide response information bulletin

August 7 2020

On this page

• Ongoing onsite operations
• Update on fish monitoring
• Enhancement program update
• Current images of work being done at the landslide site

Ongoing onsite operations

Larger numbers of salmon are arriving at the Big Bar landslide site as water levels stabilize.

As of August 5, approximately 2,176 salmon have been detected at the Churn Creek sonar station, located 40 km upstream. The increasing numbers of salmon detected at Churn is a positive indicator of successful migration past the barrier.

With the higher capacity Whooshh™ system now in operation, crews are focused on system optimization and other improvements. New filters were installed to reduce sediment in the water supply before it reaches the fine spray misters and other sensitive components. Crews also added mesh and netting to better guide fish movement within the concrete ladder and the steep pass ramp to reduce incidental harm. Other work included constructing walkways and ramps, improving vehicle and equipment access, and upgrading rock fall protection measures.

During the hot Cariboo summer, temperatures at the site have regularly exceeded 40°C. Ensuring crew safety and hydration during the hot weather is a top concern.

Update on fish monitoring

Sockeye have been observed in increasing numbers at the sonar station downstream of the Big Bar landslide, near the ferry. New fish are being counted in the low thousands each day.

August 5, the monitoring team tagged 25 fish, for a total of 283 chinook and 100 sockeye. Enhanced tagging efforts are under way to tag more fish before they enter the Whooshh™ to better understand fish movement above the slide site.

Enhancement program update

On August 2, 133 sockeye were transferred from the French Bar Creek holding facility to the Cultus Lake Research Lab. The previous week, 105 sockeye were transferred to the lab. The majority of the fish are likely Early Stuart sockeye but DNA tests will confirm. The program target is to collect 400 Early Stuart sockeye.

Following DNA testing, 70 chinook have now been transferred to the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre in Vanderhoof. Fish from eight separate chinook populations in the upper Fraser River are being collected for the hatchery.

Current images of work being done at the landslide site