Under Section 36 of the Canadian Federal Fisheries Act the
placement of concrete over fish habitat is considered a Harmful
Alteration, Disturbance, or Destruction of fish habitat (HADD).
Through this regulation the KWC Bassmasters worked with Grand River
Conservation Authority and the Federal Department of Fisheries and
Oceans to develop a compensation plan for this loss of fish habitat.
The compensation plan involved the placement of discarded Christmas
Trees into the reservoir to restore/enhance fish habitat within the
reservoir. These trees will provide useful cover and forage areas
for a variety of fish species.
To meet the requirements for fish habitat compensation the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge Bassmasters worked at gathering 48 Christmas Trees for placement into Shades Mill Reservoir. These Christmas trees would be used to provide fish habitat within the reservoir to provide compensation for the loss of fish habitat in the area of the boat ramp extension project.
Chapter members worked diligently to place these trees at
pre-determined areas within the reservoir. These trees were weighted
down with concrete at the base of each tree. This would ensure the
trees would rest on the bottom of the reservoir and would not become
a navigational hazard within the reservoir for boaters.
Due to special regulations on Shades Mill Reservoir the trees had to
be placed with the use of electric motors. Gas powered motors are
not permitted on this small reservoir.
This fisheries compensation project was a great success. It is wonderful when agencies can work together to achieve a common goal. Improving the access to a wonderful urban fishery like Shades Mill is a great achievement. On top of this, the addition of Christmas trees will provide useful fish habitat for many years to come.
The 6 foot tall trees, anchored in a concrete base, are being prepared by Kitchener-Waterloo Cambridge Bassmasters volunteers.
The trees are prepared at the shore. The blue boat is being loaded with 8 to 10 trees at a time, to be towed out on the lake.
The tree-loaded boat is pulled out to the towing boat. This lake does not allow the use of gas powered motors. All this work was done with electric motors only.
Another trip out to one of several different spots that were pre-selected for the KWC BASS Shades Mills tree drop.
