Fall Recreation Guide 2017

Salmon Habitat Improvement at Simms Park

Replaced Culvert at lower elevation

Installed Culvert

will be installed on the opposite side of the pond to connect it to the Courtenay Slough, which connects back to the Courtenay River. This will create a true flow-through channel, and should improve habitat quality as well as opportunities for juvenile fish rearing and foraging. As part of the project, invasive plants in the area are being removed. Some Alder trees are being removed for machine access, and are being replaced with native conifers. The Rotary Pavilion, BBQ area, washrooms, and trail behind the pavilion remain accessible throughout the project. There will be construction noise, as well as temporary impacts to parking. Project Watershed staff will be on site to direct pedestrians and provide information on the project. To learn more about the project visit the Project Watershed website: www.projectwatershed.ca

Project Watershed is working on an initiative to increase salmon survival in Simms Millenium Park. The project is set to be completed by the end of August. Jennifer Sutherst, Project Watershed’s estuary coordinator and staff biologist, said Simms Park is a key fish habitat area. “Many local residents that use the park may not realize that it provides habitat for fish”, advised Sutherst. “In fact it’s one of only three areas of off-channel habitat along the Courtenay River where young fish can rear.” The Simms side channel is used by species such as Coho salmon, however it is not functioning as well as it could be. Fish that access the pond habitat are often trapped, and in the summer the water becomes stagnant due to limited circulation. The current culvert is being replaced with a larger, more “fish friendly” one installed at a lower elevation. The inner pond is being re-contoured and deepened in a couple of areas. Another culvert

COURTENAY PARKS

Access the Interactive Map through courtenay.ca/parks • Zoom in to find parks in Courtenay and to see walking trails, special features, and photos • Print any section of the map customized to the park and trail information you need • The map is easy to use on tablets and mobile views • Accurate locations based on GIS with map layers featuring streams and topography • Linked to Google Map’s directions Did you know that Courtenay has a Parks Interactive Map?

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