Effectiveness of Spawning Substrate Enhancement for Adfluvial Fish in a
Regulated Sub-Arctic River
Abstract
This study was conducted to meet regulatory requirements under the
Fisheries Act in Canada, specifically for a hydroelectric facility on
the Yellowknife River in the Northwest Territories. The research focused
on annual snorkel surveys of adfluvial fish and their spawning habitat
below the facility. Initial observations of egg mortality, potentially
due to overcrowding, prompted the investigation of natural and enhanced
habitat for spawning Lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush), lake
whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis) and cisco ( Coregonus
artedi) from 2016 to 2019. The design and composition of the installed
habitat were based on fish utilization of the natural channel below the
hydro facility and design principles from previous habitat
rehabilitation projects for anadromous fishes. Pre- and post-enhancement
data on egg density and survival were collected using 1 m
2 plots on both natural and artificially enhanced
substrates. Three years of post-enhancement monitoring indicated higher
egg densities and a greater proportion of live eggs in the artificially
enhanced habitat compared to the natural habitat, with more pronounced
trends observed for coregonids (lake whitefish and cisco) compared to
lake trout. These findings suggest that habitat enhancement has the
potential to enhance juvenile recruitment for adfluvial fish. A critical
factor in the design was the substrate composition, providing adequate
interstitial spaces for egg development and protection. This study
represents the first documented attempt at habitat improvement in a
regulated sub-Arctic river in Canada. The findings offer valuable
guidance for stakeholders involved in new or existing development
projects that require conservation actions to maintain fisheries
productivity.