The Harrison River was designated an International Salmon Stronghold in 2010 by the North American Salmon Stronghold Partnership. The Harrison Salmon Stronghold represents one of the most ecologically significant Pacific salmon rivers in Norther America, and one of the most productive salmon ecosystems in the Pacific. As such, it requires careful planning and environmental stewardship to preserve it as a reliable salmon refuge. The Harrison Salmon Stronghold vision is designed to foster land and water stewardship, encourage outreach, research and education, and promote ecologically sustainable lifestyles and responsible recreational enjoyment of this Canadian treasure.
The Harrison Salmon Stronghold Working Group (led by the Sts’ailes, in collaboration with other local organisations and community members, non-government organisations, as well as federal, provincial and regional governments) has fostered partnership efforts for restoring and maintaining the Harrison Salmon Stronghold. Concurrently, the Harrison Fisheries Authority (Sts’ailes – Sq’éwlets Fisheries Group) has recognized the need for an investigation of historical and current habitat values to identify and prioritize future fisheries restoration opportunities along the Harrison River. Past enhancement and restoration activities in the region have been largely reactive, including smaller projects undertaken for the purposes of offsetting emergency dike work construction (e.g., riparian restoration and habitat complexing at Ed Leon Slough) and industry driven development (e.g., dredging and re-complexing John Mack and Log Dump sloughs). This critical area for salmonids requires a large-scale, holistic and proactive approach to future planning, management and implementation of restoration activities within the watershed.
The goal of this Harrison Salmon Stronghold map platform is to provide a central source of reference, linking to important information, helping us to identify and track economically-feasible and culturally-valuable fish habitat restoration work. The goal is to facilitate ongoing work to improve overall fisheries productivity by addressing limiting factors identified to fish habitat in the Harrison River. This will assist resource managers and community members in identifying and prioritizing restoration opportunities as well as monitoring the long-term performance of any work undertaken.
The Harrison River Tributaries Salmon Habitat Assessment report describes how existing and potential salmon habitats were assessed and how potential restoration sites were identified then ranked based on ecological benefits, economic benefits, and social benefits. This map provides an overview of potential restoration opportunities and previously completed restoration projects. For more information please see the Harrison Salmon Stronghold website.
Disclaimer : The conceptual habitat restoration designs presented herein are the intellectual property of Sts’ailes Development Corporation and the Harrison Salmon Stronghold. The fact that the designs have been made available on the Harrison Salmon Stronghold Restoration and Stewardship Atlas does not in any way transfer any right, title or interest in the designs to the viewer or any other party. Further, in no event shall the viewer or any other party have a license to use or right to copy or reproduce the designs for any purpose whatsoever, unless otherwise expressly authorized in writing by Sts’ailes Development Corporation. Should the viewer wish to seek approval to pursue restoration opportunities based on the designs, please contact Dave Moore, General Manager of the Harrison Fisheries Authority ([email protected]).
The habitat restoration designs presented herein are presented as conceptual designs, and have potential to be adjusted to meet the requirements of a proponent wishing to pursue restoration opportunities based on the designs. Applicable permissions from land owners and permits have not been secured. Areas and costs presented in designs are based on conceptual estimates, and may be subject to change (increase or decrease) through additional baseline studies, final planning and design processes.
