Stream Improvement Techniques

The following report is an attempt to simplify and bring together some of the varied information concerning the field of stream improvement work. It is not a steadfast manual of stream improvement. It does not contain explanations of how to use the sophisticated equipment developed for stream analysis. Its purpose is to provide some guidelines in the stream improvement field which may be used by the average person, instead of the average stream biologist. It has become evident that much of the improvement of the streams in this province is attempted by outdoor clubs and organizations, and not by biologists and the Fish and Wildlife Branch. This is because of the fact that little money or time is available to these government agencies for this purpose. Therefore, groups get the idea to improve their favourite trout stream and often end up wasting their time and money and possibly even damaging the stream in the process, because they do not know what they are doing. It is toward these people, therefore, that this paper is directed. The following paper explains some of the most common and effective improvement devices used; derived from various sources which are not usually available to the average person. Also included is an example of a small stream improvement project conducted on a local stream to illustrate what one person can do with no funds and few materials.