CANYON
CREEK STREAM ASSESSMENT6/4/ and 6/10/98, BY DICK GOIN
CANYON
CREEK STREAM ASSESSMENT6/4/98: Conditions: foggy; Creek medium flow, visibility 3-3.5 ft. Accompanied by Blaine Dalton. Walked from dam upstream to approx. R.M. 1.5 [River Mile 1.5] Observed 5 late spring steelhead about 8 to 13 lb. waiting below dam.
Stream Observations:
The stream is fairly high gradient and the gradient increases fairly rapidly as one progresses upstream.
The pool-riffle ratio of about 1 to 8 is typical of this type of stream though many of the riffles had spawning gravel .
Large organic debris is very plentiful both instream and along the side.
There has been a recent (3 yrs. ago?) very large sediment recruitment, resulting in higher than normal fines in the lower reaches of the creek. Sediment in it contains gray clay or glacial flour and is quite fine. The spawning gravels are not heavily compacted.
We observed a number of salmonids from 3-to perhaps 9 inches long and when we rolled rocks over, we found fairly good numbers of nymphs and other aquatic insect larvae. Also observed minor hatches of various midges and small caddis. Also observed ouzels and one green heron, an indication of adequate insect life and enough fish life to bring a predator.
We then went to Forest Service Road 2870 to Pat Creek and Canyon Creek convergence. Very clear, high quality water in both. We beat the brush in an attempt to find both the slide and the falls, but ran out of time and now have a good idea where they are and will go back.
Evaluation:
1. Stream suitable for coho, winter steelhead, some pinks and chums, sea run cutthroat and Dolly Varden/bull trout.
2. Stream extremely stable and confined in some areas in deep canyons.
3. Need to evaluate slide to see if it is stable or needs some help and also establish for certain the limits of anadromy.
6/10/98--THE SLIDE ON CANYON CREEK
Hiked into large slide on west side at R.M. approx. 1.75. Appears to be 2 to 3 yr. old (WDFW should know exactly). Observed no attempts at stabilizing further movement although it appears to be very feasible. Made my way down canyon to toe of slide and then upstream 0.5 mile and then climbed out (fairly rough going).
Water quality quite high, very little fines in gravel, pool-riffle ratio better than in lower end, plenty of L.O.D., most of canyon unlogged.
Observed a number of resident salmonids and several redds.
Remarks:
In my view, Canyon Creek offers much more in probable fish returns than most of the very expensive culvert projects that have been done here recently.
WDFW seems to be unclear about the amount of water that they need from the stream and whether dam removal or a ladder would be preferable.
PPF
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