The Ecological Significance of the Five Acre Farm: Stream ......4.0 Ecological Significance 17 – 19 4.1 Chase River 17 4.2 Unnamed Creek 18 4.3 Five Acre Farm Wetland 18 5.0 Tributary

The Ecological Significance of the Five Acre Farm:

Stream Mapping & Assessments

Prepared by: Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute

September 2018

The Ecological Significance of the Five Acre Farm

Page | 2

Acknowledgements

The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) at Vancouver Island

University (VIU) conducted all of the primary research and report writing for this project. This

research has been conducted under the supervision and guidance of MABRRI Research Director,

Dr. Pamela Shaw PhD MCIP RPP FRCGS. This project was supported by Graham Sakaki MCP,

MABRRI Research and Community Engagement Coordinator, and Haley Tomlin, MABRRI

Projects Coordinator.

A special thank you is extended to Allan and Linda Torgerson, as well as Ken and Marie Scoretz

for allowing us to conduct this work on their properties continuously throughout the summer.

Additionally, thank you to Ken for providing photos, a list of birds observed on the property’s

wetland, and general insight regarding how the property has changed overtime.

Thank you to Craig Evans for providing funding through the Canada Summer Jobs Program to

undergraduate student researchers, providing them with a unique learning opportunity that gives

back to the local community.

Thank you to John Morgan, Resource Management and Protection professor at VIU, and Tim

Goater, Biology professor at VIU, for their assistance with the project. John taught students how

to set the minnow traps, as well as how to identify the species that were found. Tim assisted with

species identification, as well.

A final thank you to the Geographic Information Centre at UBC for lending the historical air

photos, which proved to be very beneficial with regards to how Harewood has changed overtime,

specifically the Five Acre Farm.

Research Project Team

Coordinators Research Assistants Haley Tomlin Aaron Dixon

Alan Cavin

GIS Specialist Alex Harte

Ariel Verhoeks Chrissy Schellenberg

Kidston Short

Roxanne Croxall


Page | 3

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction 9 – 11

2.0 Chase River and Unnamed Creek 11 – 12

3.0 Salmonid Habitat 12 – 17

3.1 Chase River and Unnamed Creek Salmonid Habitat Suitability 12

3.1.1 Coho Salmon 13

3.1.2 Coastal Cutthroat Trout 14

3.1.3 Rainbow Trout 15

3.1.4 Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout Hybrid 16

3.1.5 Threespine Stickleback 16

3.2 Fish Barriers 17

4.0 Ecological Significance 17 – 19

4.1 Chase River 17

4.2 Unnamed Creek 18

4.3 Five Acre Farm Wetland 18

5.0 Tributary Impacts on Fish Bearing Creeks and Rivers 20 – 21

6.0 Restoration Along the Chase River and its Tributaries 21 – 22

7.0 Ecological Policy and Management 22 – 24

7.1 Stormwater Management 22

7.2 Riparian Area Management 23

7.3 Environmentally Sensitive Area Management 23

7.4 Heritage Designation 24

8.0 Methods 24 – 25

8.1 Stream Mapping 24

8.2 Water Monitoring 25

8.3 Minnow Trapping 25

9.0 Results 25 – 39

9.1 Historical Changes 25

9.2 Stream Mapping 27

9.3 Water Monitoring 29

9.3.1 Station #1: Tributary Entrance to Chase River 31

9.3.2 Station #2: Culvert off Eighth Street 32

9.3.3 Station #3: Private Property 33

9.3.4 Station #4: Five Acre Farm 34

9.3.5 Station #5: Kinette Evergreen Park 35

9.3.6 Station #6: Southwood Park 36

9.4 Minnow Trapping 37

9.4.1 Station #1: Tributary Entrance to Chase River (#1) 38




Page | 4


9.4.5 Station #5: Private Property (#1) 38

9.4.6 Station #6: Private Property (#2) 39

9.4.7 Station #7: Kinette Evergreen Park 39

9.4.8 Station #8: Southwood Park 39

10.0 Conclusion 39 – 41

11.0 Future Considerations 41 – 42

11.1 Continued Monitoring Efforts 41

11.2 Continued Public Engagement and Education 41

11.3 Restoration 42

12.0 References 43 – 48

Appendix 1.0 – Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute’s 49 - 50

Wetland Survey: Flora and Fauna (MABRRI, 2017).

Appendix 1.1 – Flora Survey 49

Appendix 1.2 – Fauna Survey 50

Appendix 2.0 – Ken Scoretz’ Bird Species List 51 – 52

Appendix 2.1 – Original Document 51

Appendix 2.2 – Ken’s List Compiled with Latin Names of Bird Species 52

Appendix 3.0 – Water Monitoring Stations 53

Appendix 4.0 – Minnow Trapping Stations 54

Appendix 5.0 – Minnow Trapping Results 55


Page | 5

List of Figures

Figure 1. The Five Acre Farm at 933 Park Avenue in Harewood and the surrounding 10

area (MABRRI, 2018).

Figure 2. The Unnamed Creek that runs adjacent to the Five Acre Farm. This shows 11

the extent of the creek that is above ground relative to underground (MABRRI,

2018).

Figure 3. Coho salmon: mature male (top) and female (bottom). Both species undergo 13

physiological changes when ready to spawn; the male’s changes are significantly

more prominent (Image retrieved from Onco Sportfishing & Guide Services, Inc.,

2009).

Figure 4. Coastal cutthroat trout, identified by the two orange-red slashes on its 15

throat, silver sides, green-blue dorsal surface, and prominent black spots (Image

retrieved from Western Native Trout Initiative, 2018).

Figure 5. Rainbow trout, referred to as Steelheads when anadromous; they are 16

identified by their notable black spots covering the majority of their body, and a pink

to red lateral line (Image retrieved from South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement

Group, 2018).

Figure 6. In 1998 the now wetland was a pond/lake; overtime, large reeds and 19

wetland flora took over the area and established a marsh wetland (Image retrieved

from Ken Scoretz, 1998).

Figure 7. The Unnamed Creek within the Chase River watershed. The approximate 21

watershed boundary for the Chase River was determined by merging the watershed of

all streams that flow into the Chase River and share the same flow point into the

ocean. (Data Source: Freshwater Atlas, GeoBC).

Figure 8. Green space in the upper reaches of the Unnamed Creek have significantly 26

declined overtime, specifically in the Kinette Evergreen Park and Southwood Park

area. The green space was outlined on historical aerial photos and then layered onto a

current image of the area to document the changes over time (Images retrieved from

the Geographic Information Centre at UBC, n.d.).

Figure 9. The wetland on the Five Acre Farm has increased overtime, likely related to 27

the increase in development just to the south of it. This increase in development

subsequently results in an increase in runoff and therefore a growing wetland. The

park land was outlined on historical aerial photos and then layered onto a current

image of the area to document the changes over time (Images retrieved from the

Geographic Information Centre at UBC, n.d.).

Figure 10. The entire extent of the Unnamed Creek, flowing from the south end of 28

Harewood, off Tenth Street, north to Seventh Street, where it enters the Chase River.

This map includes both the data that the MABRRI team collected using GPS data, as


Page | 6

well as the stormwater management map, which includes culverts and underground

pipes that the creek flows through (MABRRI, 2018).

Figure 11. Six stations were selected to collect water parameters throughout the 30

summer (June through mid-August). Once a week a team from MABRRI would visit

each site and document the temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH

(MABRRI, 2018).

Figure 12. Tributary entrance to Chase River water monitoring site (MABRRI, 2018). 31

Figure 13. Water monitoring Station #1 temperature throughout the 2018 summer 31

(MABRRI, 2018).

Figure 14. Water monitoring Station #1 dissolved oxygen throughout the 2018 31

summer (MABRRI, 2018).

Figure 15. Water monitoring Station #1 conductivity throughout the 2018 summer 31

(MABRRI, 2018).

Figure 16. Water monitoring Station #1 pH throughout the 2018 summer (MABRRI, 31

2018).

Figure 17. Culvert off Eighth Street water monitoring site (MABRRI, 2018). 32


(MABRRI, 2018).




(MABRRI, 2018).


2018).

Figure 22. Private Property water monitoring site (MABRRI, 2018). 33


(MABRRI, 2018).




(MABRRI, 2018).


2018).

Figure 27. Five Acre Farm water monitoring site (MABRRI, 2018). 34


Page | 7


(MABRRI, 2018).




(MABRRI, 2018).


2018).

Figure 32. Kinette Evergreen Park water monitoring site (MABRRI, 2018). 35


(MABRRI, 2018).




(MABRRI, 2018).


2018).

Figure 37. Southwood Park water monitoring site (MABRRI, 2018). 36


(MABRRI, 2018).




(MABRRI, 2018).


2018).

Figure 42. Eight minnow traps were set to determine which species, if any, were 37

using the Unnamed Creek, as well as to what extent they were using it (MABRRI,

2018).

Executive Summary

When initially surveyed, the neighbourhood of Harewood was sub-divided into five acre

parcels of land, in order to provide mining employees with another avenue to obtain food and

income in the times of coal market downturns (City of Nanaimo, 2013). Today, only a small

handful of five acre parcels remain intact in Harewood, including the property of interest, 933

Park Avenue. This small farm, found in the heart of Harewood, a now densely populated

residential neighbourhood of Nanaimo, has had a significant impact on a large number of people

and local non-profit organizations. The property is an area for teaching and learning about local

food production (Nanaimo Food Share, n.d.). Five Acre Farm provides Vancouver Island

University’s Workplace Essential Skills and Training students with the opportunity to learn a

variety of farm related tasks on site (NFS, n.d.). The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

Research Institute (MABRRI) was tasked with documenting the ecological significance of the

Five Acre Farm and the Unnamed Creek that flows adjacent to the property. In order to do so,

MABRRI analyzed historical aerial photos, mapped the stream, monitored the water throughout

the summer, and set minnow traps in order to gain an understanding of the species observed

within the creek.

Aerial photo analysis determined that the two largest changes over time were the loss of

green space in the upper reaches of the Unnamed Creek and the increasing size of the wetland.

The loss of green space can influence the health of the Unnamed Creek, as well as the Chase

River in which it flows into. The growing wetland may have a positive impact on the Unnamed

Creek’s health by retaining more and slowing the surface water runoff from surrounding

developments, which may result in less erosional damage downstream. The water monitoring

conducted determined that the water quality of the Unnamed Creek and the Five Acre Farm

wetland is good in the beginning of summer, but begins to degrade at the peak of the summer,

seeing increases in temperature and corresponding decreases in dissolved oxygen. Further, the

minnow trapping conducted determined that fish species, including Coho salmon, rainbow trout,

and threespine stickleback use the Unnamed Creek where it enters the Chase River, upstream to

Nova Street.

Further work would benefit this study, including continued water monitoring and minnow

trapping, as well as public engagement and education, all of which could contribute to a more

comprehensive understanding of the wetland and may lead to remediation efforts in the future.


Page | 9

1.0 Introduction

Nanaimo, British Columbia has a rich history that many residents are unaware of, some

of which is maintained at 933 Park Avenue, one of Nanaimo’s last five acre farms. The property

is found in Harewood, a residential neighbourhood at Nanaimo’s south end. Prior to European

settlement, the Harewood region was known as ‘Wakesiah’, translated from the Snuneymuxw

First Nation Hul’q’umin’um’ work meaning ‘far away’, which also connoted a place of peace

(City of Nanaimo, 2013). The Harewood mine opened in 1864 and was subdivided into five acre

parcels for coal miners to purchase or lease by the Superintendent of the Vancouver Coal Mining

and Land Company VCMLC, Samuel Robins (City of Nanaimo, 2013). Robins’ decision to

divide the area into these parcels was to ensure security to the miners and their families during

times of coal market downturns (City of Nanaimo, 2013). Many of the five acre parcels were

used for farming purposes, and it was through the distribution of these lands and the relationship

between Robins and his employees that the settlement of Harewood was facilitated (City of

Nanaimo, 2013). It was this process of planning and settlement that would cement Harewood as

one of British Columbia’s earliest planned neighbourhoods (Historic Places Canada, n.d.).

As Nanaimo grew, so too did the Harewood area. Land once used for agriculture and

sustenance transitioned into a residential neighbourhood, and was eventually amalgamated by the

City of Nanaimo in 1975 (City of Nanaimo, 2013). Today, only a small handful of five acre

parcels remain intact in Harewood, including the property of interest, 933 Park Avenue. Through

aerial photo analysis, it was determined that since the initial purchase of the property, it has been

farmed to some extent by each of its owners. There have only been two changes to ownership

since the original purchase of the acreage from the VCMLC, the first by farmers and miners

Henry and Ellen Weeks followed by farmer John Kobe (Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

Research Institute (MABRRI), 2017). In 1991, the current owners, Allan and Linda Torgenson,

bought the property from the Kobe family (MABRRI, 2017).

Currently, a portion of the Five Acre Farm is leased for small-scale farming to Nanaimo

Food Share (NFS) and the Growing Opportunities Farm Community Co-op (GOFC),

maintaining its original farming roots. Additionally, Vancouver Island University’s (VIU)

Workplace Essential Skills and Training (WEST) program, uses the farm to fulfill their primary

mandate of assisting students' development with regards to their personal, interpersonal, and

employment skills, ensuring that they acquire those skills to obtain and maintain employment

(personal communication, Craig Evans, May 14, 2018).

Today, this small farm, found in the heart of Harewood, a now densely populated

residential neighbourhood of Nanaimo (refer to Figure 1), has had a significant impact on a large

number of people and local non-profit organizations. The property is an area for teaching,

learning, and local food production (Nanaimo Food Share, n.d.). In addition to the property’s

farming-related purposes, the acreage houses an ecologically significant area, a marsh that flows

into an unnamed tributary of the Chase River. The marsh and Unnamed Creek, into which it

flows, provide habitat for a variety of flora and fauna. Beyond the property lines, this parcel is

now confined by densely packed single-dwelling homes; therefore, maintaining this piece of

property will ensure a large area of green space is preserved amongst the urbanizing community

(City of Nanaimo, 2013).


Page | 10

Figure 1. The Five Acre Farm at 933 Park Avenue in Harewood and the surrounding area (MABRRI,

2018).

In collaboration with the NFS, GOFC, and VIU’s WEST program, the Mount

Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) has been working to determine the

ecological significance of one of Nanaimo’s last five-acre farms, at 933 Park Avenue. Although

the focus is on the farm property, the research conducted by MABRRI extended beyond the

property boundary and into the surrounding neighbourhood. In order to capture the ecological

significance of this property within the neighbourhood, MABRRI mapped the urban creek,


Page | 11

monitored water conditions throughout the summer, and set minnow traps to determine which

species, as well as to what extent those species are using the creek.

Figure 2. The Unnamed Creek that runs adjacent to the Five Acre Farm. This shows the extent of the

creek that is above ground relative to underground (MABRRI, 2018).

2.0 Chase River and the Unnamed Creek

As a tributary to the Nanaimo River estuary, the Chase River originates from the southern

slopes of Mount Benson and flows southeast 11 kilometres into the City of Nanaimo’s south end

(Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP), 1994). As it meanders through the city, the

river merges with the estuary, where it drains into the Salish Sea (MELP, 1994). In total, the

river’s watershed expands 34.6 square kilometres and has been determined to be a migratory

route for numerous salmonid species (Irvine et al., 1994; MELP, 1994). Within the watershed,

four lakes, including Harewood Lake and three within Colliery Dam Park, flow through or drain

into the Chase River (MELP, 1994). In addition to the lakes, the Chase River boasts a number of


Page | 12

smaller tributaries, most notably, Harewood Creek, Cat Stream, and the Unnamed Creek, which

is the focus of this study.

As a tributary to the Chase River, the Unnamed Creek flows through several blocks of the

Harewood neighbourhood north and south of the Five Acre Farm. This urban creek has been

buried in pipes and channels overtime (refer to Figure 2), directing the water flow in a variety of

ways as new areas of Harewood that intersect the creek are developed (City of Nanaimo, 2013).

The Unnamed Creek drains into the Chase River between Park Avenue and Bruce Avenue; this

section of the Chase River has been identified as habitat for salmonid species (Irvine et al.,

1994). However, no existing literature documents the extent at which fish species are using the

Unnamed Creek for habitat.

3.0 Salmonid Habitat

The Chase River is a well-known salmonid habitat; ‘salmonids’, are of the genera

Onorhynchus, which includes both salmon and trout species. The lower section of the Unnamed

Creek has the same habitat characteristics as the Chase River where they intersect, and was

therefore considered potential fish habitat. All salmonid species have specific requirements

regarding the physical, chemical, and biological components of their habitat (Kerwin, 2000).

These conditions include good water quality and sufficient quantity for movement between

pools, as well as physical features such as substrate type and overhead cover, favouring locations

with sediment composed of mixed gravel and overhanging vegetation to provide shade,

moderating the water temperature (Thompson, 2004). Water quality and quantity affect the

performance and growth of salmonids, while the habitat’s physical features provide shelter for

nesting areas and protection against predation. Generally, salmonids can function without

impairment in freshwater when dissolved oxygen levels are near 7.75 mg/L, with most fish

affected by a lack of oxygen when levels reach 4.25 mg/L (Thompson, 2004).

Suitable habitat for salmonids does overlap, but different species and stocks typically

stagger their use of a particular area by time or distance (Kerwin, 2000). For example, pink

salmon and rainbow trout have similar spawning habitat requirements; however, pink salmon

rarely travel as far upstream as rainbow trout. Pink salmon return to the ocean almost

immediately after emerging from their gravel nests, and only return to freshwater when it is time

to spawn (Armstrong & Hermans, 2007; Kerwin, 2000).

3.1 Chase River and Unnamed Creek Salmonid Habitat Suitability

Salmonid species are anadromous fish, meaning they spend the majority of their lives in

the marine environment, but return to freshwater streams, rivers, and lakes to spawn (Willson &

Halupka, 1995). Although salmonids share the same general life cycle, the length of time spent

in each stage varies from species to species (Willson & Halupka, 1995). To date, a wide variety

of fish species, salmonids and otherwise have been found throughout the Chase River, including

where the Unnamed Creek intersects (Ministry of Environment, 2016). A few of the species

found in the Chase River are Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), coastal cutthroat trout

(Oncorhynchus clarki clarki), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), coastal cutthroat and

rainbow trout hybrid (Onchorynchus mykiss x clarkia), and threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus

aculeatus) (MoE, 2016a).


Page | 13

3.1.1 Coho Salmon

Coho salmon are found only in the Pacific Ocean, but span the entire Northern region of

it; they are found along the North American coastline from Alaska to California, across the

Bering Sea, down along the Asian coast, in the Sea of Japan, and seen as far south as North

Korea (Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), 2018; Sandercock, 1991). Coho are distinguished

by their white gums on their lower jaw and their black spots on their caudal fin (COSEWIC,

2002). There is no sexual dimorphism during initial freshwater and marine stages; they are silver

in colour, with a dark blue and an irregularly black spotted dorsal surface (Sandercock, 1991).

When males mature and return to freshwater, they are typically smaller than females and more

brightly coloured, developing a bright green pigment on their head and dorsal surfaces, while

their sides become bright red and their ventral surface gets darker (COSEWIC, 2002; DFO,

2018; Sandercock, 1991). Additionally, when mature, male’s upper jaw becomes enlarged, with

their teeth growing and their snout develops an elongated hook (COSEWIC, 2002). Mature

females undergo the same changes that males do, however they are not as significant (refer to

Figure 3); their colouration is not as bright and their upper jaw alterations are not as extreme

(COSEWIC, 2002; Sandercock, 1991).

Figure 3. Coho salmon: mature male (top) and female (bottom). Both species undergo physiological

changes when ready to spawn; the male’s changes are significantly more prominent (Image retrieved from

Onco Sportfishing & Guide Services, Inc., 2009).

Each generation of Coho salmon undergo the same migration to their natal stream,

however different stocks have different migration routes, which may take significantly more or

less time than others (Sandercock, 1991). Those salmon returning to coastal rivers and streams

may only take a few days or weeks compared to those traveling up rivers in the interior, which

can be multiple months long and hundreds of kilometres inland (Sandercock, 1991). Different

stocks will begin to leave the marine environment, returning to freshwater to spawn, at different

times, with more northerly stocks entering streams earlier than those in the south. In the past,

returns have begun as early as April (Sandercock, 1991). Spawning events occur between mid-

fall and early winter, typically from September to December, but can be highly variable

(Lestelle, 2007; Sandercock, 1991; United States Fish & Wildlife Service, 2013). Preferentially,

Coho select for very small streams with less than 5 metres (m) in width, have a stream flow of

5.0 to 6.8 cubic metres per second (m3/s), and have gravel that is 15 centimetres (cm) or less in

diameter (Rosenfeld, Porter, & Parkinson, 2000; Sandercock, 1991). Coho salmon can also be

found in larger rivers, but will typically spawn in the smaller tributaries that flow in (Lesteele,

2007).

Most Coho salmon mature within three years, however there are some males, referred to

as ‘jacks’ that mature early, returning to their natal stream at two years of age (DFO, 2018;

Sandercock, 1991). Upon return to freshwater, their bodies begin to transition, the males and


Page | 14

females becoming sexually dimorphic, and once they reach their spawning site, the females

select an area for their nest, referred to as their redd (Sandercock, 1991). The females dig

multiple redds over a few days prior to the spawning event (Sandercock, 1991). Once the

spawning is complete the eggs are covered with sediment to reduce the risk of predation. Before

the spawning event, the adult Coho begin to deteriorate, and following the event they continue to

do so until they die (Sandercock, 1991). The eggs that were buried remain in the sediment for six

to seven weeks before hatching, however the required time to hatch is temperature dependent,

with cooler water systems having longer incubation periods (Sandercock, 1991; United States

Fish & Wildlife Services, 2013). The hatched individuals are referred to as alevin, they have a

yolk sac attached to them from which they obtain their nutrients; they remain in their redd until

their yolk is completely absorbed, which can last another few weeks (Sandercock, 1991; United

States Fish & Wildlife Services, 2013). These individuals then make their way out of the gravel

and into the stream, at which point they are free-swimming fry (Sandercock, 1991). The fry

school in the freshwater for a year where they continue to feed (DFO, 2018). In the spring

following their year of growth, these individuals migrate downstream to the marine environment

all the while undergoing smoltification, which refers to the morphological and physiological

changes that occur in preparation for the marine environment (DFO, 2018; Sandercock, 1991;

United States Fish & Wildlife Services, 2013). Some of the changes that occur include obtaining

their silver body colour, and adjustments to their gills and kidneys which allow them to process

salt water (United States Fish & Wildlife Services, 2013). These juvenile Coho will usually

remain in the ocean for approximately 18 months, until they reach the age of 3, before they begin

to make the trip back to their natal stream to begin this process from the beginning (DFO, 2018).

3.1.2 Coastal Cutthroat Trout

Coastal cutthroat trout span the North American coastline from Northern California to

Southern Alaska, dispersed all along the coast of British Columbia (Capital Regional District

(CRD), n.d.; Trotter, 1989). Cutthroat trout are distinguished by two orange-red slashes located

on their lower jaw, from which they got their name, their silver sides, green-blue dorsal surface,

and prominent black spots (refer to Figure 4) (CRD, n.d.). Like other salmonids, coastal cutthroat

trout are anadromous. In freshwater environments, they select for small streams that are less than

five metres wide, have gravel areas composed of sediment that is 0.5 to 5.0cm in diameter, and

have large woody debris that form pools with sheltered areas to live in (CRD, n.d.; Slaney &

Roberts, 2005). The largest densities of yearling and older coastal cutthroat trout are in pools,

while the smaller individuals prefer shallower habitats (Rosenfeld, Porter, & Parkinson, 2000).

Since coastal cutthroat trout are so particular about their habitat and require good water quality,

they are an indicator species, meaning that their presence suggests a healthy stream (Slaney &

Roberts, 2005).

The timing of the coastal cutthroat trout’s migration to and from the marine environment

is more variable than that of other salmonids, because unlike other species they are repeat

spawners and they do not die upon return to their natal stream (Trotter, 1989). Adult coastal

cutthroat trout return to their natal streams between December and May to spawn, the female

sites a location for her redds, moving sediment to make a spot to deposit her eggs (CRD, n.d.;

Slaney & Roberts, 2005). The eggs incubate for six to seven weeks, after which the alevin hatch

and reside in the redd for another week or two; they emerge into the stream as fry between

March and June, depending on the time of spawning (CRD, n.d.; Slaney & Roberts, 2005). These

small individuals are found in shallow water, slowly moving to increasing depths as they grow


Page | 15

(Slaney & Roberts, 2005). They remain in the freshwater stream for two to three years before

they travel as smolts to the marine environment, in which they stay for approximately one year

before returning to the freshwater stream to spawn. Cutthroats are able to undergo spawning

more than once (CRD, n.d.; Trotter, 1989).

Figure 4. Coastal cutthroat trout, identified by the two orange-red slashes on its throat, silver sides, green-

blue dorsal surface, and prominent black spots (Image retrieved from Western Native Trout Initiative,

2018).

3.1.3 Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout can either spend their entire lifespan in freshwater or they are able to

migrate between fresh and saltwater environments. Those that migrate are known as steelheads

and are widely spread all along western North America, from Mexico north to Alaska, across the

Pacific Ocean to Northeastern Siberia (COSEWIC, 2014; United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA), 2000). Whereas, the freshwater variety are spread extensively throughout

North America, having been introduced to a number of lakes and rivers throughout the interior;

these fish are easily farmed and are therefore introduced frequently for sport fishing (COSEWIC,

2014). They are identified by their silver-coloured sides, olive green dorsal surface, white ventral

surface black spots covering the majority of their body, and a pink to red lateral line (refer to

Figure 5) (DFO, 2016). Those individuals that spend more time in freshwater have the typical

rainbow trout characteristics, whereas those that spend a greater amount of their time in the

marine environment look more like Pacific salmon, with more silver and blue colouring (USDA,

2000). Rainbow trout select streams that have a variety of habitat, different riffle and pool areas,

stretches with large woody debris, vegetation, both overhanging and aquatic, and undercut banks,

all of which provide ample protection from predators (USDA, 2000). When selecting spawning

habitat, they are looking for tributaries with sediment-free gravel that is 1.0 to 8.0cm in diameter,

and has significant stream flow that creates riffle areas (USDA, 2000).

Similar to coastal cutthroat trout, rainbow trout are able to migrate to and from the marine

environment, spawning in the freshwater streams on repeat occasions (Environment Yukon,

2015; USDA, 2000). Rainbow trout spawn in the spring, from January to June when the water

temperatures are warming (Environment Yukon, 2015; Volpe, Anholt, & Glickman, 2001). The

female selects her site for spawning and digs her redds in the gravel, deposits her eggs, and a

male fertilizes them (USDA, 2000). The eggs are incubated for three to seven weeks, depending

on the temperature (Hinshaw & Thompson, 2000). The alevin hatch and remain in the sediment

until their yolk sac is completely absorbed before they venture out into the stream to feed as a fry

(USDA, 2000). Rainbow trout typically stay in their natal streams for three years before

migrating to the ocean, but they don’t return to spawn after a specific length of time, allowing

various runs to occur in the same year (Behnke, 2002). Rainbow trout can repeatedly spawn over


Page | 16

their lifetime. They typically live up to eight years, but can live as long as eleven years

(FishBase, 2009; Pacific Salmon Foundation, 2018).

Figure 5. Rainbow trout, referred to as Steelheads when anadromous; they are identified by their notable

black spots covering the majority of their body, and a pink to red lateral line (Image retrieved from South

Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, 2018).

3.1.4 Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout Hybrid

Coastal cutthroat and rainbow trout are capable of hybridization, they are referred to as

‘cutbows’ (Onchorynchus mykiss x clarkia) (Kasubuchi & Cragg, 2007). Hybridization is a result

of incomplete isolation of sister species during spawning periods and external fertilization

practices; both characteristics provide an avenue for cross-fertilization to occur (McKelvey, et

al., 2016). In Kasubuchi and Cragg’s report (2007), they stated that “hybridization was

documented in approximately 97% of sampled streams where cutthroat were sympatric with

rainbow trout.” Of the 15 waterways that were studied, the Chase River had the highest

hybridization level, 86% (Kasubuchi & Cragg, 2007). Hybridization levels were magnified in

smaller watersheds, being influenced by forest harvesting, stocking, habitat availability, and

stream size (Cragg et al, 2007).

The cutbow trout’s appearance has characteristics of both species, with most individuals

maintaining the orange-red slash under the gill covers and jaw (Hook & Hackle Company,

2011). Other easily identifiable features are the silver body, broad pink-red band below the

lateral line, and the black spots found over the dorsal surface, sides, and fins (Colorado Casters,

2010; Hook & Hackle Company, 2011). These hybrids are capable of spawning, and spawn at

the same time, in the spring, and in similar habitats to both cutthroat and rainbow trout (Colorado

Casters, 2010).

3.1.4 Threespine Stickleback

Threespine sticklebacks are immensly diverse, having adapted to a variety of

environments around the world, evolving into numerous endemic species (MELP, 1999). The

threespine sticklebacks in the Northern Hemisphere have evolved from the ocean-dwelling

variation, many of them now strictly found in freshwater, though some still migrate between the

marine and freshwater environments (MELP, 1999). They are minnow-like fish, commonly

found in coastal streams and lakes at low elevations (MELP, 1999). Although they can have a

wide variety of colours, they are distinguishable because of the three spines they possess on their

back. Additionally, many variations of threespine sticklebacks have armour along their sides and


Page | 17

head, as well as pelvic spines; these physiological features help protect from predators (MELP,

1999).

Spawning occurs in the spring, from April to June, at which time the male sticklebacks

transition into aggressive, brightly coloured individuals in an attempt to impress females (MELP,

1999). The males are responsible for building the nest, made up of vegetation; they construct

them along the edge of the lake or waterway. When a female approaches the nest area, the male

attracts her with a “zigzag” dance (MELP, 1999). The male is responsible for parental care once

the female has laid the eggs, he fans the eggs ensuring that there is a good flow of well-

oxygenated water over the eggs, without this they will die (MELP, 1999).. The male will

continue to protect the young for approximately a week after they hatch (MELP, 1999).

3.2 Fish Barriers

Among the numerous fish habitats exist a variety of barriers, limiting movement

throughout the waterway, which can ultimately have a negative effect on many species of fish

that migrate upstream to spawn (Bourne, Kehler, Wiersma, & Cote, 2011; National Institute of

Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), 2016b). Along the Chase River and its tributaries,

these barriers are most commonly a result of human activity, including illegal dumping and

residential development. Common anthropogenic barriers seen in waterways around the world,

including in the Chase River and the Unnamed Creek, include culverts, dams, weirs, and pipes

(NIWA, 2016b). Although these structures provide many services to communities and urban

areas, they often lead to stream fragmentation, which can be a serious threat to local aquatic

species’ abundance, diversity, and persistence (Bourne et al., 2011). A single barrier can have an

impact on the structure of the entire stream’s ecosystem, depending on which species are not able

to freely move about (Bourne et al., 2011).

Defining structures that are fish barriers can be a challenge because different species may

interact with the structure differently, or different environmental conditions may limit the extent

of which the structure is a barrier (Bourne et al., 2011). There are different methods to determine

if a predicted barrier is in fact a barrier, including mark-recapture and tracking individuals

(Blank, Cahoon, Burford, McMahon, & Stein, 2005; Cahoon, McMahon, Solcz, Blank, & Stein,

2007). The mark-recapture method involves the initial marking of individuals on one side of the

barrier and then a recapture event on the other side to determine if any individuals have made it

around the structure (Blank et al., 2005). Whereas, the tracking individuals’ method is more

intensive, it involves constant surveillance of an individual in their attempts to get beyond the

barrier (Cahoon et al., 2007).

4.0 Ecological Significance

Biostandards identify waterways as ‘poor’ fish habitat when the substrate is composed of

more than 20% fine sediments, ‘fair’ when consisting of 10% to 20% fine sediments, and ‘good’

with any sediment structure has less than 10% fine sediments (Kasubuchi & Cragg, 2007). Urban

streams typically have more fine sediments, lack riparian vegetation, and have higher

concentrations of pollution, compared to rural waterways, which would generally deem them as

‘poor habitat’ (Kasubuchi & Cragg, 2007).

4.1 Chase River

Although the Chase River is under threat from urbanization, fragmentation, and water

abstraction, it still meets the general requirements for anadromous fish habitat; the streambed has


Page | 18

more than 20% vegetative cover and the substrate is dominantly cobble, with only 5% of the

streambed composition being fine substrate (Kasubuchi & Cragg, 2007). The Chase River’s

substrate consists primarily of cobble with spawning gravel throughout, making it an ideal

migratory route for salmonids (Irvine et al., 1994). A report written by Irvine et al. (1994), noted

that the section of the Chase River with the most suitable fish habitat was the stretch where the

Unnamed Creek meets the Chase River. In 1993, a mark-recapture survey was conducted in the

Chase River, in an attempt to record the salmonid populations; results indicated that the urban

streams around Nanaimo are producers of anadromous salmon (Irvine et al., 1994). Other

documentation has further identified numerous Coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout

populations in the Chase River and its tributaries (Georgia Basin Ecological Assessment and

Restoration Society (GBEARS), 2009; Kasubuchi & Cragg, 2007).

4.2 The Unnamed Creek

The development of the Harewood neighbourhood has been ongoing since the 1860s,

however rather than five acre parcels, it has become increasingly densified, developing more

dwellings to accommodate Nanaimo’s growing population (City of Nanaimo, 2013).

Unfortunately, with more residential development comes more disturbance to the natural

portions of the neighbourhood. Many sections of the Unnamed Creek have been buried in pipes

and culverts, which can have a significant impact on the species that live within it. In addition to

the initial disturbance of development, this now densely populated area can have ongoing

implications on the creek as a result of storm water runoff, illegal dumping in the streambed, and

warming waters, which are often characteristics of urban catchments (Violin et al., 2011).

Despite urbanization and fragmentation in the Unnamed Creek, it has been noted to be

ecologically significant. The Unnamed Creek has been identified as habitat for both Coho

salmon and cutthroat trout, both species having been observed in the creek between Nova Street

and Seventh Street, where the creek is flowing into the Chase River (GBEARS, 2009). No prior

studies have been done to examine the streambed vegetation cover, dominant sediment type, or

to what extent fish and other species are using the creek.

4.3 Five Acre Farm Wetland

Wetlands provide invaluable, essential ecosystem services; they are some of the most

productive ecosystems in the world (Clarkson, Ausseil & Gerbeaux, 2013; Zedler & Kercher,

2005). Disproportionately, wetlands contribute 40% of the world’s ecosystem services, while

only making up 1.5% of the globe (Clarkson, Ausseil & Gerbeaux, 2013). Wetlands are able to

control flooding, replenish groundwater, and retain sediment, which prevents sedimentation of

waterways, purifies water, and provides habitat to a large variety of species (Clarkson, Ausseil &

Gerbeaux, 2013; Zedler & Kercher, 2005).

A wetland is located on the Five Acre Farm at 933 Park Avenue. The City of Nanaimo

mapping has the wetland labelled as a lake, rather than a wetland, and that is because as recently

as 1998 the wetland was an open water body and did not resemble a wetland at all (refer to

Figure 6) (City of Nanaimo, n.d. b; K. Scoretz, personal communication, July 26, 2018). The

pond appeared as a result of development that occurred south of the property, as it was not there

prior (K.Scoretz, personal communication, July 26, 2018). The Five Acre Farm is a catchment to

all of the runoff that accumulates in the newly developed area. Runoff has increased due to

additional impervious surface area (Thurston, Goddard, Szlag & Lemberg, 2003). The wetland

drains into the Unnamed Creek in the culvert under Eighth Street; ultimately, the wetland has an


Page | 19

impact on the Unnamed Creek and the Chase River because of their interconnectedness.

Currently, the wetland has been identified as an environmentally sensitive area (#566) by the

City of Nanaimo; it is 0.5 hectares and stretches across four adjoining properties: 933 Park

Avenue, which is the Five Acre Farm, the strata properties of 477 and 475 Eighth Street, and 946

Bruce Avenue (City of Nanaimo, n.d. b).

Figure 6. In 1998 the now wetland was a pond/lake; overtime, large reeds and wetland flora took over the

area and established a marsh wetland (Ken Scoretz, 1998).

In 2017, MABRRI surveyed the portion of the wetland that was on the Five Acre Farm

property in order to classify it. They conducted a vegetation survey using a 20 metre transect,

from which they identified a variety of flora species often associated with marshes or swamps

(Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI), 2017). After analyzing the

discovered species (refer to Appendix 1.0), it was determined that the wetland is a marsh, where

there is open water, and a swamp along the wetland’s periphery (MABRRI, 2017). A variety of

fauna were also observed (refer to Appendix 1.2), including many migratory and wetland

specific bird species, including Virginia rails, red-winged blackbirds, deer, and Pacific tree frogs

(MABRRI, 2017). Further, in 2018, Ken Scoretz, who owns the three-acre property between the

Five Acre Farm and Bruce Avenue, provided MABRRI with a list of bird species that have

frequented his property over the years; the list of species documents the biodiversity hosted by

this wetland over the last 20 years (refer to Appendix 2.0).


Page | 20

5.0 Tributary Impacts on Fish Bearing Creeks and Rivers

Watersheds are composed of interconnected waterways, all of which flow into one

another and ultimately into the same body of water (United States Geological Survey (USGS),

2016). Intertwined networks, such as watersheds, are “characterized by a continuum of

downstream changes in biota and ecosystem processes, which generate coarse-scaled patterns of

biotic and abiotic heterogeneity” (Bentley, Schindler, Armstrong, Cline, & Brooks, 2015, p. 2).

Further, river systems have the significant variation at a much smaller scale across the continuum

of changes; therefore, suitable habitats may exist patchily throughout the entire system and not

just at one location (Bentley et al., 2015). Organisms that live in these systems have to have the

ability to be flexible and move between habitats (Bentley et al., 2015).

A study by Kiffney, Green, Hall, and Davies (2006) identified the value of tributary

junctions, describing them as “hot spots” for productivity. Each small tributary collects nutrients

and resources, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and algae, from different regions of the watershed

and funnel those down into the larger stems. Ultimately, more resources will be in the mainstem

of the system, providing ample nutrients for species living within (Kiffney et al., 2006). Beyond

resource availability, tributaries can influence the temperature of the downstream water bodies,

which can have a significant influence on the health of a stream; increasing temperatures

corresponds with decreasing dissolved oxygen concentrations (Fondriest Environmental Inc.,

2016). They found that the abundance of salmonids peaked downstream of tributary junctions,

possibly due to increased habitat productivity (Kiffney et al., 2006). Tributaries and their

associated junctions are important to salmonid and other species’ habitat; therefore, maintaining

the integrity of tributary junctions and the associated creeks and streams is critical to the health

of a watershed community (Kiffney et al., 2006).

To the north of the Five Acre Farm, the Unnamed Creek drains into the Chase River

between Seventh Street and Nova Street, it is one of many tributaries that lead into the Chase

River (refer to Figure 7). As a tributary to a larger migratory route for resident salmonids, the

Unnamed Creek is a part of Chase River’s network. Maintenance of the health of this creek not

only directly influences the success of the Unnamed Creek itself, but that of the Chase River, as

well. In order to gain a better understanding of the Unnamed Creek’s health and influence on the

Chase River, MABRRI mapped the extent of the creek, monitored the water conditions

throughout the peak summer months, and set minnow traps to determine the extent in which the

creek is inhabited.


Page | 21

Figure 7. The Unnamed Creek within the Chase River watershed. The approximate watershed boundary

for the Chase River was determined by merging the watershed of all streams that flow into the Chase

River and share the same flow point into the ocean. (Data Source: Freshwater Atlas, GeoBC).

6.0 Restoration Along the Chase River and its Tributaries

Restoration is often necessary as a result of human modifications to streams, particularly

in urban areas (Bourne et al., 2011). Restoration projects along the Chase River and its tributaries

have been undertaken in the past and concern for smaller creeks and streams is not a new

concept. A non-profit society, the Georgia Basin Ecological Assessment and Restoration Society

(GBEARS), conducted a restoration project along a portion of the Unnamed Creek in 1999 along


Page | 22

Stirling Ave (GBEARS, 2009). With the support of the City of Nanaimo Environmental

Planning staff, juvenile Coho habitat was restored along the side channel on Stirling Avenue.

The side channel was built as a fish habitat mitigation feature next to the original watercourse

between Eighth Avenue and Nova Street (GBEARS, 2009). The restoration project involved

removing invasive plants, silt, and debris, followed by the installation of proper wood cover,

gravel, drain rock, boulders, native trees and rock weirs, in order to create pool and riffle

structures, which are favoured by salmonids for spawning (GBEARS, 2009). Following

restoration efforts, jack Coho and juvenile trout were observed moving up the channel from the

Chase River (GBEARS, 2009).

7.0 Ecological Policy and Management

The Local Government Act provides local governments with a variety of tools and

policies that they are able to implement, however it is up to their discretion if they do so, or not

(Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), 2018). A few examples of policies allotted by the Act are

as follows: section 723 of the Local Government Act allows for sediment retention and erosion

control with regards to the deposition and removal of soil; section 725.1 allows for bylaws and

penalties to be implemented with regards to prohibiting water pollution; and section 919.1 states

that “development permit areas designated in an Official Community Plan cannot be altered,

subdivided, or built on without a development permit,” which is something that Nanaimo has

implemented (Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (MWLAP), 2002).

7.1 Stormwater Management

Stormwater is the result of human intervention, created when impervious surfaces, such

as roads and structures, displace natural soil and vegetation; with less surfaces for water to

infiltrate, more water flows directly over land on the shortest path to a waterway (MWLAP,

2002). The increasing installation of impervious surfaces is directly linked to increased

stormwater runoff, which has resulted in larger quantities of water rushing into waterways at

faster rates than normal (MWLAP, 2002). The traditional methods used to manipulate

stormwater drainage involved ditches and pipes, which have adverse effects on property, the

area’s ecological significance, water quality, and finances because of the greater volume and rate

of water flowing into natural waterways (MWLAP, 2002).

The natural rate of flow and volume of water that enters a stream is determined by the

width and depth of the channel; therefore, unnatural flow rates and volumes of water can erode

the edges and bottom, resulting in increased sedimentation downstream as the eroded materials

settle (MWLAP, 2002). The erosion of waterways can ultimately result in the loss of habitat, if

significant enough (MWLAP, 2002). Further, the eroded sediment results in increased turbidity,

also recognized as dirty water, which can negatively affect fish and their spawning grounds; the

fish are unable to identify food resources because of low visibility, in addition to fine sediments

settling on and smothering eggs and young in the gravel (MWLAP, 2002). Additionally,

decreased infiltration may result in waterways drying up in the summer when they typically

would not, which could be detrimental to fish and other aquatic species that use those waterways

year round; the ground surrounding the waterway will no longer be slowly releasing then eeded

quantity of stored water into the stream (MWLAP, 2002).

Water quality is also negatively impacted by stormwater because non-point pollution

sources are incredibly difficult to manage. Stormwater can contain pollutants such as

hydrocarbons, car fluids, nutrients, pesticides, and bacteria, which can each negatively influence


Page | 23

waterways and the species living in them if not managed (MWLAP, 2002). Further, the greater

surface area of impervious material creates a greater area for water to run over and heat up on

prior to its arrival in a stream. Increased temperatures in streams could have far reaching

impacts, including fish die offs for those species that require cold-water (MWLAP, 2002).

Lastly, there is a financial burden associated with stormwater. Since the first method of

stormwater management involved directing water to waterways, as quickly as possible through

pipes and ditches was not environmentally sustainable, the local governments are now

strategizing to amend these actions because of the negative impacts they cause. Stormwater

mitigation plans and implementation of these plans are incredibly costly to local municipalities

(MWLAP, 2002). With a constant population growth in British Columbia, and specifically on the

East Coast of Vancouver Island, in addition to climate change predictions, mitigation strategies

and development policies will need to be created and implemented (MWLAP, 2002). Increased

urbanization in an area that is expected to have less rainfall in the spring and summer, more

frequent and longer bouts of rain in the winter, and more intense rainstorms in general will

prioritize methods to ensure the least damage results from stormwater (MWLAP, 2002).

7.2 Riparian Area Management

A riparian area refers to “the areas adjacent to ditches, streams, lakes and wetlands”

(MoE, n.d.). A distinct variety of flora is associated with riparian areas, they create shade,

provide bank stability, and act as shelter, which all contribute to good fish habitat (MoE, n.d.).

Conservation of healthy riparian areas is essential when developing an integrated fisheries

protection program (MoE, n.d.). When considering what constitutes a healthy riparian area, the

upland environment must be considered because all development and activities in the uplands

has a direct impact on a riparian area as a result of runoff (MoE, n.d.). All development that is to

occur within 30 metres of the high watermark is required to undergo property assessment by a

Qualified Environmental Professional to determine if the development is possible, with minimal

to no environmental repercussions, based on local bylaws (MoE, 2016b).

7.3 Environmentally Sensitive Area Management

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in

Canada and also falls within one of the fastest growing areas (RDN, 2018). The RDN is home to

a large number of environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs), which are defined as “productive fish

or wildlife habitat[s], contain[ing] sensitive, rare or depleted ecosystems and landforms, and

represent sites of Nanaimo’s natural diversity that are in danger of disappearing” (City of

Nanaimo, 2015). Many of the ESAs identified in the area are waterways and wetlands and are

vulnerable to human activity and development (City of Nanaimo, 2015). It is important to

document these sites to ensure their preservation (City of Nanaimo, 2015). The wetland on the

Five Acre Farm is designated as an ESA and therefore requires special attention (City of

Nanaimo, n.d. b).

Currently, in Nanaimo lands that have resources, open space, or environmental value can

acquire ‘resource protection,’ this ensures that these specific areas, that are particularly

vulnerable to human activity, are conserved (City of Nanaimo, 2015). There are a few methods

that the RDN will use to ensure the preservation of an ESA, including signing of a covenant,

giving the land to a private land trust, such as Nature Trust of British Columbia, or increasing

density of development in areas that will have the least impact on the ESA (City of Nanaimo,

2015). In 2003, the four adjacent property owners that share the Five Acre Farm wetland on


Page | 24

their properties signed a covenant, which ensures the protection of the wetland (MABRRI,

2017). This covenant ensures that the natural integrity of the wetland will be preserved, limiting

runoff, as well as ensuring that property owners and all other parties abstain from clearing the

land and vegetation near the ESA (MABRRI, 2017). Additionally, in the RDN, ESAs and their

surrounding area are designated in Development Permit Area 2, which states that these lands are

not allowed to be altered in any way, this includes all pre-existing soil and vegetation (City of

Nanaimo, 2015). Further, all waterways are designated in Development Permit Area One,

meaning that any development that occurs in these areas requires a permit and they must follow

the strict protocols associated with the permit (City of Nanaimo, 2015).

7.4 Heritage Designation

A historic place can refer to “a structure, building, group of buildings, district, landscape,

archaeological site or other place in Canada that has been formally recognized for its heritage

value by an appropriate authority within a jurisdiction” (Heritage BC, 2018). The Local

Government Act provides local government with the authority to identify and designate

structures or places as ‘historic places’ (Heritage BC, 2018). A heritage designation bylaw can

protect the structure or property from being dismantled in anyway and the property owner can

acquire it voluntarily or the local council can pursue it (Heritage BC, 2018). Once designated,

any alterations to the property or structure will need to go through a permit process to gain

approval, which can be a deterring factor to the owner (Heritage BC, 2018). Currently, there is

only one five acre farm that is recognized as an intact acreage in Nanaimo, it is at 560 Third

Street; therefore, the Five Acre Farm, at 933 Park Avenue, does not have heritage designation

(City of Nanaimo, 2018). Fortunately, the City of Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan identified

the want to identify “historic structures, places and trees… in neighbourhoods throughout the

city” (2015).

8.0 Methods

8.1 Stream Mapping

On May 29, 2018, four members of the MABRRI team began mapping the stream. Prior

to this, no in-field mapping had been conducted to MABRRI’s knowledge. The Unnamed

Creek’s route has been changed significantly overtime and as new developments were built, the

creek was re-directed as to not have an influence on any properties. The MABRRI team split into

two groups, one team beginning to map from the headwaters in the south and one team started

where the Unnamed Creek flows into the Chase River. The principal goal of the two groups was

to follow the stream’s pathway and ultimately meet up with one another in the middle. This was

a difficult task, and resulted in the team running into many culverts, manholes, vegetation, and

areas with little to no flow, which made determining the path difficult. In addition to the

Unnamed Creek, one of the research teams followed Wexford Creek, which flows to the

southeast of the Five Acre Farm, in order to determine if it contributed water to the wetland on

the property of interest. As much data as was possible to collect was done so using GPS units.

The collected data was brought back to the office at VIU and uploaded into ArcMap, a

mapping program. Additionally, maps from the RDN were obtained and added to the map,

showcasing where the culverts and drains in Harewood are located, which allowed MABRRI’s

Research Assistants and GIS Specialists to determine where the creek flows naturally and where

it has been re-routed to accommodate development.


Page | 25

8.2 Water Monitoring

There were a total of six sites selected to conduct water monitoring at, throughout the

Unnamed Creek’s streambed and the Five Acre Farm’s property; the selected sites were chosen

based on where water could be found at the time the monitoring began. Every Friday from the

first week of June until the second week in August, the water parameters, including temperature,

dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, and pH, were taken at each of the six sites. In order to

collect this data, a team of two Research Assistants would dip a multi-parameter sonde into the

water at each site and the equipment would automatically read out the data. All data was

recorded and graphed for the purpose of this report.

8.3 Minnow Trapping

In total, eight minnow traps were set along the Unnamed Creek to determine which

species were using it and to what extent. On July 3rd, 2018, three members of the MABRRI team,

accompanied by Dr. John Morgan, a Resource Management and Protection professor at VIU, set

five traps. Two of the traps were located in the lower reaches of the Unnamed Creek, between

Seventh Street and Nova Street, another two were set on private property, which is one of the

adjacent properties to the Five Acre Farm that maintains a portion of the wetland. The final trap

was set in Southwood Park, just North of Tenth Street. The following day, July 4th, 2018, two

MABRRI team members and Dr. John Morgan re-visited each of the sites and pulled the traps to

determine if any organisms were caught.

A second set of traps were set and pulled by two MABRRI team members on July 16th

and July 17th, respectively. Only three traps were set this time as a result of the loss of water in

many reaches of the creek. Two of the traps were again set in the lower reaches of the creek,

between Seventh Street and Nova Street; however, this time the traps were set higher up than the

first two. The third trap was set in Kinette Evergreen Park, off of Ninth Street. The organisms

found in each of these traps is documented in the Results section.

9.0 Results 9.1 Historical Changes

The MABRRI team acquired aerial photos of Harewood from the University of British

Columbia (UBC) Geographic Information Centre. The air photos dated back to 1952 showing the

changes that Harewood has experienced in the last 7 decades. One of the main purposes of

obtaining the historical photos was to determine at which point the bulk of the culverting of the

Unnamed Creek occurred, as well as how the creek’s direction has changed overtime.

Unfortunately, as a result of vegetative cover and the air photos being too grainy, it was not

possible to accurately determine exactly how the Unnamed Creek’s flow has changed overtime.

Further, it appears that a lot of the initial development of the land had occurred prior to the

earliest air photos that were obtained; therefore, it was not possible to determine when the creek

was culverted.

Although the initial goals were not possible, the air photos still proved to be valuable to

analyze how Harewood has changed in recent decades. Two of the most significant changes that

were noted from the air photo analysis were: the loss of green space in the upper reaches of the

Unnamed Creek, and the expanding size of the wetland on the Five Acre Farm overtime. The

loss of green space was especially noticeable in the Southwood Park and Kinette Evergreen Park

reaches of the Unnamed Creek. From 1972 to 1998, the green space in this area decreased by

82.5%, from 285,174 square metres (m2) in 1972 to 50,022 m2 in 2016 (refer to Figure 8). A loss


Page | 26

of green space could have an impact on the water quality and creek health in the upper reaches of

the Unnamed Creek, which would ultimately impact the downstream health as well.

Additionally, the size of the wetland was seen to increase overtime, from 1979 to 2016, the

wetland increased 82.6%, or 5.7 times its original size (refer to Figure 9). The increase correlates

with the increasing number of developments that have occurred in recent years at higher

elevations surrounding the farm. With a greater surface area being developed, comes a larger

portion of impervious surface, ultimately increasing the amount of runoff that the wetland on the

Five Acre Farm is catching. Increased water in the wetland could mean greater flow into the

Unnamed Creek, which could also result in a variety of impacts downstream, including increased

erosion, which could lead to increased sedimentation.

Figure 8. Green space in the upper reaches of the Unnamed Creek have significantly declined overtime,

specifically in the Kinette Evergreen Park and Southwood Park area. The green space was outlined on

historical aerial photos and then layered onto a current image of the area to document the changes over

time (Images retrieved from the Geographic Information Centre at UBC, n.d.).


Page | 27

Figure 9. The wetland on the Five Acre Farm has increased overtime, likely related to the increase in

development just to the south of it. This increase in development subsequently results in an increase in

runoff and therefore a growing wetland. The wetland was outlined on historical aerial photos and then

layered onto a current image of the area to document the changes over time (Images retrieved from the

Geographic Information Centre at UBC, n.d.).

9.2 Stream Mapping

Referring to Figure 10, the mapping of the Unnamed Creek began on the south side of

Tenth Street, from which the creek flows out of an inaccessible detention pond, cordoned off by

a fence. The creek flows under Tenth Street, into and down through Southwood Park passing

under Park Avenue, through a culvert, flowing again behind the new developments on

Timberwood Drive. Where the newest developments meet the previous development, the

Unnamed Creek is culverted, flowing through pipes under the road before reaching Kinette

Evergreen Park. The creek stays above ground through the park, flowing behind some residential

dwellings, through Alpen Way Park, under Alpen Way, through another green space and then

into a pipe under Bruce Avenue. When the Unnamed Creek enters the culvert on Bruce Avenue,

it begins its longest stretch underground, which is 549.1 metres. The water flows along Bruce

Avenue, under Eighth Street to the cul-de-sac on Murray Street; it continues to flow under the

length of Murray Street until it flows out of a culvert into the ditch at the corner of Murray Street

and Stirling Avenue, which is referred to as Stirling/Deering Park. The Unnamed Creek

continues to flow into Jordan/Nova Park, under Nova Street, and then finally into the Chase

River.

As mentioned, Wexford Creek, found southeast of the Five Acre Farm, was also mapped

to some extent in order to determine if there was any inflow from the creek into the wetland on

the farm, and ultimately into the Unnamed Creek as well. Upon further investigation, using

stream mapping methods, topographic maps, and City of Nanaimo stormwater management

maps, MABRRI determined that it is likely Wexford Creek does not contribute any water into

either the wetland or the Unnamed Creek.

Aside from the water that flows from the detention pond and further up the watershed,

additional water flows into the Unnamed Creek from the wetland that is located on the Five Acre

Farm and adjacent properties. Overtime, with more development, the wetland on these properties

has continued to grow in size; therefore, it is likely that the wetland has been providing more

water to the Unnamed Creek. All of the water that the wetland holds is from precipitation and

runoff from the more than 30 dwellings built up higher than the farm. The wetland flows through

the wooded area that can be seen on Figure 10, until it reaches Eighth Street, which is where it

meets up with the Unnamed Creek.


Page | 28

Figure 10. The entire extent of the Unnamed Creek, flowing from the south end of Harewood, off Tenth

Street, north to Seventh Street, where it enters the Chase River. This map includes both the data that the

MABRRI team collected using GPS data, as well as the stormwater management map, which includes

culverts and underground pipes that the creek flows through (MABRRI, 2018).

The Unnamed Creek has been subject to increasing rates of development in Harewood,

overtime. In the late 1800s there was approximately one residential dwelling per five acres, today

there is approximately 12 dwellings in the same five acres (City of Nanaimo, 2013). Most of the

development occurred in the 1950s and 1960s, therefore it had been a quick expansion from a

rural to urban neighbourhood (City of Nanaimo, 2009). As a result of the time of expansion, as

well as the speed at which it occurred, the Unnamed Creek has had 665.8 metres of the creek’s


Page | 29

1,929.2 metre length, redirected through buried pipes; that is a total of 35% of the creek being

buried in culverts and pipes (refer to Figure 2). Today, there are 1,263.4 meters of the creek

flowing above ground, which are heavily influenced by the everyday activities associated with an

urban neighbourhood.

9.3 Water Monitoring

There were six different water monitoring stations established along the Unnamed Creek

and in the wetland located on the Five Acre Farm (refer to Appendix 3.0 and Figure 11). The

locations were determined as a result of where water was still flowing when the project began in

May. Each of the six stations was monitored once a week, for 10 weeks. During each visit, the

temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH of the water was recorded, as well as the

point at which the Unnamed Creek went dry at each of these locations.

Dissolved oxygen, recorded in milligrams per litre (mg/L), is the amount of free, non-

compound oxygen in the water; this is important to the health of fish and other organisms that

live in the creek, as they are dependent on oxygen to live (Fondriest Environmental Inc., 2016).

The bulk of the dissolved oxygen in waterways comes from the atmosphere, but aquatic plants

photosynthesizing also contribute oxygen (Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT), 2018). Many

species abandon an area when the percent saturation gets too low; typically, it is around 4 mg/L

that fish begin to suffer from the lack of oxygen in the water (Fondriest Environmental Inc.,

2016). The amount of dissolved oxygen in water is directly related to temperature, with warmer

temperatures maintaining less dissolved oxygen than colder water (Fondriest Environmental Inc.,

2016).

Initially, all of the sites that were monitored throughout the summer had good quantities

of dissolved oxygen, but as the summer progressed, those concentrations became significantly

lower, reporting numbers that were not able to sustain life. A few reasons explaining why such

low concentrations of dissolved oxygen were found at each of the sites in the later months,

include: low water volume, low flow, presence of organic matter, and equipment issues.

Shallower depths allow for quicker depletion of dissolved oxygen, as a result of a limited water

supply (SIT, 2018). Slower flowing water does not absorb much oxygen from the atmosphere

relative to quicker moving water that mixes with the atmosphere. Pools and waterways with

organic material, composed of dead plant and animal matter, maintain a healthy population of

bacteria, which consumes a lot of the dissolved oxygen in the water (SIT, 2018). Finally, the

multi-parameter sonde that was used to measure the water parameters may require maintenance

and new filters/membranes to more accurately measure the dissolved oxygen. Ultimately, it

could be a combination of these factors that explain the extremely low concentrations that were

recorded at each of the sites.

Conductivity values are collected because they are a means of determining water quality

(Heyda, 2006). Conductivity, measured in micro-Siemens per centimeter (µS/cm) and refers to

the number of dissolved ions in the water being sampled; the less dissolved ions in the sample,

the purer it is (Heyda, 2006). For example, totally pure water is 0.055 µS/cm, whereas domestic

“tap” water is 500 to 800 µS/cm. The ‘cleaner’ the water, the better the water quality (Heyda,

2006). The pH was also measured because it is known to have a significant impact on the health

of a waterway and the species that occur within it (Perlman, 2018). The pH refers to how acidic

or basic a solution is, ranging from 0 to 14, with lower values being more acidic and higher

values more basic. The values are on a logarithmic scale, which means that for every one unit


Page | 30

change in value, the solution is experiencing a ten-fold change (Perlman, 2018). For example, a

solution that has a pH of four, is ten times more acidic than the same solution that measures a pH

value of five. Most salmonids are able to withstand a wide range of pH values and are generally

able to survive in 6.0 to 9.0 pH (Fondriest Environmental Inc., 2013).

Figure 11. Six stations were selected to collect water parameters from throughout the summer (June

through mid-August). Once a week a team from MABRRI would visit each site and document the

temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH (MABRRI, 2018).

Figure 12. Tributary entrance to Chase River water

monitoring site (MABRRI, 2018).

10

12

14

16

18

20

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Au

g-18

Au

g-18

Tem

pe

ratu

re (

°C)

0

2

4

6

8

10

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Au

g-18

Au

g-18

Dis

solv

ed

Oxy

gen

(m

g/L)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Au

g-18

Au

g-18

Co

nd

uct

ivty

(u

S/cm

)

5.4

5.9

6.4

6.9

7.4

7.9

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jun

-18

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Jul-1

8

Au

g-18

Au

g-18

pH

Figure 13 – 16. Water monitoring Station #1 temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH throughout the 2018 summer (MABRRI, 2018).

9.3.1 Station #1: Tributary Entrance to Chase River

The first water monitoring station was at the lowest part of this Chase

River tributary. The area is heavily vegetated (refer to Figure 12), with only one

access point, which is from Seventh Street, from which you need to walk down

the Chase River until the tributary junction is found. Over the summer season,

the temperature saw a continuous increase, having the lowest temperature,

13.6°C, in June and the highest temperature, 17.8°C in mid-August (refer to

Figure 13). As the temperature continuously increased, the dissolved oxygen

steadily declined, from 8 mg/L in early June to 0 mg/L in mid-August (refer to

Figure 14). The conductivity and pH values stayed relatively constant throughout

the summer (refer to Figures 15 and 16, respectively).


Page | 32

Figure 17. Culvert off Eighth Street water


0

2

4

6

8

10

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Dis

solv

ed

Oxy

gen

(m

g/L)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Co

nd

uct

ivty

(u

S/cm

)

5.4

5.9

6.4

6.9

7.4

7.9

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

pH

10

12

14

16

18

20

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Tem

pe

ratu

re (

°C)

9.3.2 Station #2: Culvert off Eighth Street

There is a large culvert located off Eighth Street, which was the location

of the second water monitoring station (refer to Figure 17). The water from the

Five Acre Farm drains into this culvert and meets up with the Unnamed Creek at

this location. For the extent of the summer that this location had water, having

dried up in the seventh week of monitoring, the temperature steadily increased

(refer to Figure 18), while the dissolved oxygen decreased quickly (refer to

Figure 19). The water remained clean here for the six weeks the water passed by

(refer to Figure 20), and the pH stayed around 6.6 (refer to Figure 21).



Page | 33

Figure 22. Private Property water


0

2

4

6

8

10

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Dis

solv

ed

Oxy

gen

(m

g/L)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Co

nd

uct

ivty

(u

S/cm

)

5.4

5.9

6.4

6.9

7.4

7.9

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

pH

10

12

14

16

18

20

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Tem

pe

ratu

re (

°C)

9.3.3 Station #3: Private Property

This private property is one of the four properties in which the Five Acre

Farm wetland persists. The water parameters were taken from a location where

the wetland begins to narrow and flow towards Eighth Street (refer to Figure 10).

This location is heavily vegetated, with thick reeds throughout and surrounding

the wetland; there are a few spots that have open water (refer to Figure 22). Much

like the first two sites, the temperature steadily rose throughout the summer

months, peaking and maintaining a temperature of 17°C to 18°C for the end of

July until mid-August (refer to Figure 23). While the temperature increased, the

dissolved oxygen decreased quickly, becoming next to nothing by mid-July (refer

to Figure 24). The water had low conductivity, indicating good water quality

(refer to Figure 25). Further, throughout the summer, the pH remained neutral,

around 7.0 (refer to Figure 26).



Page | 34

Figure 27. Five Acre Farm water monitoring site

(MABRRI, 2018).

10

12

14

16

18

20

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Tem

pe

ratu

re (

°C)

0

2

4

6

8

10

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Dis

solv

ed

Oxy

gen

(m

g/L)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

Co

nd

uct

ivty

(u

S/cm

)

5.4

5.9

6.4

6.9

7.4

7.9

8-Ju

n

15

-Jun

22

-Jun

29

-Jun

6-Ju

l

13

-Jul

20

-Jul

27

-Jul

3-A

ug

10

-Au

g

pH

9.3.4 Station #4: Five Acre Farm

Water monitorin

Documents

The Ecological Significance of the Five Acre Farm: Stream ......4.0 Ecological Significance 17 – 19 4.1 Chase River 17 4.2 Unnamed Creek 18 4.3 Five Acre Farm Wetland 18 5.0 Tributary