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Projects |
Landowner Stewardship Project:
The MCS partnered with the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society to complete this project. Residents living along Morrison Creek Mainstream received a package containing a wide variety of useful information about the Morrison Creek Watershed and useful tips on streamside living. The package contained an introductory letter, a colour map of the Morrison Creek Watershed, a brief introduction to the Morrison Creek Lamprey, contact information, a "Home Tips for Healthy Streams" pamphlet, the February 2001 Morrison Creek news, recycling information, and emergency reporting numbers.
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Bendway Weir Construction near the 1st Ave crossing.
Completed over the summer of 2000, this project was designed to control pronounced streambank erosion and private property loss and to provide high water refuge for fish. The project was on a steep bank adjacent to Puntledge Park. Three large bendway weirs composed of large boulders were keyed into the left bank using an excavator. The weirs slow water velocities and direct the deepest part of the streamflow (the thalweg) away from the site of erosion. Five large dump truck loads of boulders were used in construction. Willow wattling and riparian revegetation were completed in 2001/02 to further stabilize the bank material. This project was designed by Russ Doucet, DFO engineer and Rupert Wong, (RP Bio) in consultation with Morrison Creek Streamkeepers (MCS). It involved new partnerships between the MCS, the City of Courtenay, BC Ministry of Environment, and DFO. Funds to complete the project and lots of support were supplied by the City of Courtenay and DFO with volunteer labour by MCS. Here are some more pictures of projects
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1st Ave. Culvert Fish Passage Restoration Project.
This project was completed in the Summer of 2000 to improve fish passage in lower Morrison Creek Mainstem through the large culvert under 1st Ave near Puntledge Park . A large Newbury-style rock riffle was installed 5m downstream from the culvert to slow water velocity during floods and to raise to appropriate levels that would help fish move through the culvert- particularly at lower flows. To further help the fish, baffles made from recycled tires were installed inside the culvert to provide resting places from higher flow velocities. The baffles were designed and built by the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers with input from biologist Rupert Wong and DFO staff. The Newbury riffle was designed by Russ Doucet from DFO and biologist Rupert Wong consulting with MCS. Project funds and in kind support were secured from the City of Courtenay and DFO.
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Habitat complexing and Streambank Stabilization in Lower Morrison Creek Mainstem.
This project was completed in two phases over the summers of 2001-02 in the mainstem of Morrison Creek near the intersection of 1st and Willemar Avenues. In 2001, a large woody debris (LWD)  streambank revetment structure was installed using logs and root wads anchored with cable and rock ballast. This structure provides high-water refuge for fish, mitigates bank erosion, traps spawner carcasses, and adds hydraulic complexity to the stream reach. Also in 2001, several boulder clusters were installed upstream of the Willemar Ave culvert to provide rearing habitat for fish and to add hydraulic diversity to the stream reach. During the summer of 2002, the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers completed a bioengineering project in the same reach using a combination of willow wattling, coconut fibre geotextile, and riparian planting to stop bank erosion about 15m upstream from the LWD revetment site. The riparian zone along the entire site was re-planted with native plants in the fall. This project was completed using designs created by the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers and biologist Rupert Wong. Funding was supplied by Fisheries Renewal BC. In-kind support was generously provided by the City of Courtenay, Comox Timber, Comox Builders, BC Hydro and Centra Gas.
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Riparian Planting
The MCS have completed several riparian planting projects throughout the watershed. Using native plants purchased from Streamside Native plants or salvaged from development sites, the MCS volunteers have worked hard to maintain and restore the vegetated buffer along Morrison Creek. The largest riparian planting project was completed in Puntledge Park in the City of Courtenay. The project was moderately successful- about 1/3 of the plants were pulled out and thrown into the creek by vandals, and a few more were "weed-whacked" by an over-eager City Parks employee. These areas have since been re-planted. The Puntledge Park riparian project has significantly increased riparian cover along a high-profile section of the Morrison Creek.
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Other Projects:
The MCS have completed several projects with the Boys and Girls Club of BC. They have included educational tours, riparian planting, and a study of aquatic insects living in the streambed.
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