Speaking of fish habitat issues

[duffy4]

The other thread showing a truck crossing a stream has been getting a lot of comments.

It is pretty dramatic to see the vehicle actually in the stream stirring up the bottom and the stream banks but there are worse situation that often get ignored because they are slow steady silt sources.




This is not the work of "a few bad apples" doing something wrong.

It is a place where OHV users go up a steep pipeline right-of way that should not have an OHV trail on it. The vegetation get destroyed by traffic and then water runs down the "trail" and brings huge amounts of silt (over time) into a trout stream. This pic is at the bottom where the "trail" enters the stream at a crossing.




I believe the new public lands act and regulations may give authorities more power to address situations like this.

[Ianhntr]

You got it Duffy, the moving of silt around in the stream doesn't add to the silt load, but it's this kind of thing that does. The Fisheries Act has the teeth, the department doesn't. It is illegal to allow deposit of a deleterious substance in fishbearing waters. That silt load would probably qualify. Out of sight, out of mind!

[Nait Hadya]

Originally Posted by duffy4

The other thread showing a truck crossing a stream has been getting a lot of comments.

It is pretty dramatic to see the vehicle actually in the stream stirring up the bottom and the stream banks but there are worse situation that often get ignored because they are slow steady silt sources.




This is not the work of "a few bad apples" doing something wrong.

It is a place where OHV users go up a steep pipeline right-of way that should not have an OHV trail on it. The vegetation get destroyed by traffic and then water runs down the "trail" and brings huge amounts of silt (over time) into a trout stream. This pic is at the bottom where the "trail" enters the stream at a crossing.




I believe the new public lands act and regulations may give authorities more power to address situations like this.

why is the stream so full of silt, looks like there might be some other contributing faxctors further upstream?

[ishootbambi]

so what do you suggest when game trails lead to a stream duff. wipe out all the damn elk deer and moose to protect the fish.....

[RAK]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

so what do you suggest when game trails lead to a stream duff. wipe out all the damn elk deer and moose to protect the fish.....

We need a lot more restrictions on where ATV's can be used.

[bb356]

Originally Posted by Nait Hadya

why is the stream so full of silt, looks like there might be some other contributing faxctors further upstream?

Sasquatch Mudwrestling ???

[BGSH]

protecting natural habitat for fish and all species who live there on the nice streams in Alberta, lots of people cross where they shouldnt we have all seen it, its a shame, it can even be worst then poaching depending where you are.

[duffy4]

Nait Hadya

why is the stream so full of silt, looks like there might be some other contributing faxctors further upstream?

It was raining hard and there were probably lots of other silt sources upstream from here. It is obvious that the OHV trail is a big silt source here though.

If the gullying continues the pipe may be in danger of become exposed in the pipeline right of way. Then (well before then) there will be an expensive repair bill for the pipeline company.

How much longer will pipeline companies allow OHVs to travel on their lines?

[greylynx]

Originally Posted by duffy4

Nait Hadya

why is the stream so full of silt, looks like there might be some other contributing faxctors further upstream?

It was raining hard and there were probably lots of other silt sources upstream from here. It is obvious that the OHV trail is a big silt source here though.

If the gullying continues the pipe may be in danger of become exposed in the pipeline right of way. Then (well before then) there will be an expensive repair bill for the pipeline company.

How much longer will pipeline companies allow OHVs to travel on their lines?

Unfortunately,until the pipeline has to be repaired.

Gotta keep those costs down until enough people scream loud enough.