Salmon researchers and advocates will be talking about the impacts of outdated flood infrastructure on the lower Fraser River and the pressing need for upgrades.
"It might be the greatest salmon habitat issue in the lower Fraser River," according to Watershed Watch Salmon Society officials.
A lunchtime webinar is slated for July 11, on 'Resilient Waters: Salmon and Flooding on the Fraser.'
It well known that Fraser River salmon populations have suffered significant, alarming declines in recent decades, so the need for a broader understanding is pressing.
The webinar offers an update on the Resilient Waters project from Watershed Watch focused on restoring fish passage and reducing flood risk by upgrading flood infrastructure along 1,700 kilometres of waterways in the river system.
"Many of these structures, including flood boxes and pump stations, were built without considering salmon and have surpassed their operational lifespan," according to the invite to the lunch-and learn.
The Resilient Waters campaign was launched in 2020 by Watershed Watch to start the discussion about what needs to be done to overcome the flood equipment obstacles that have cut off the once-connected streams.
The project team has managed to advocate for several fish-friendly flood infrastructure upgrades in the region, and this spring, took on and completed its first infrastructure project in collaboration with Leq’a:mel First Nation and the North Nicomen Diking District.
"Join our upcoming webinar to get an update on Resilient Waters, including information about several research projects, a recap on over three years of data collection, updates on upcoming infrastructure upgrades and more."
Register for lunch-and-learn Resilient Waters: Salmon and Flooding on the Fraser online seminar followed by Q&A, with free registration or by donation.
