Ecofish Research Ltd. 202 – 250 Dogwood Street Campbell River, B.C. V9W 2X9

Phone: 778-346-3933 info@ecofishresearch.com www.ecofishresearch.com

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MEMORANDUM

TO: Debbi Stanyer, Brookfield Renewable Energy Group FROM: Harlan Wright, Dip. Tech., and Matt Thornton, B.Sc., Ecofish Research Ltd. DATE: December 13, 2016 FILE: 1085-22 RE: Summary of fisheries monitoring completed on the Kokish River in 2016

This memorandum summarizes the ongoing fisheries work carried out in 2016 with respect to the Kokish River Hydroelectric Project. Work was conducted by Ecofish Research Ltd. (Ecofish) and MJ Lough Environmental Consultants Ltd. (MJL) for Kwagis Power Limited Partnership (Kwagis) to meet the requirements for Year 3 of the Project’s Operational Environmental Monitoring Plan (OEMP; Lewis et al. 2014).

A summary of the data collected from the 2016 monitoring of adult fish migration and abundance is provided below (Section 1). We have also provided an overview of the 2016 monitoring survey effort for juvenile fish abundance (Section 2), headpond habitat suitability and fish abundance (Section 3), instream flow (Section 4), water quality (Section 5), invertebrate abundance (Section 6), and stream geomorphology (Section 7). Detailed reports for each of the above will be included as supporting material to the OEMP.

1. ADULT FISH MIGRATION AND ABUNDANCE Snorkel surveys were conducted along three sections of the Kokish River during the 2016 winter and summer fish migration periods (Map 1, Table 1). The number of adult fish counted during snorkel surveys is provided in Table 2. A histogram of fish numbers counted within each survey section is provided for individual fish species in Figure 1 to Figure 7.

Table 1. Snorkel survey locations for adult fish migration and abundance monitoring in Kokish River.

Location Start Point Finish Point Description

Section 1 KM 4.4 KM 0.0 Bottom of Lower Canyon to EstuarySection 2 KM 8.4 KM 4.4 Lower CanyonSection 3 KM 12.0 KM 8.4 Outlet of Ida Lake to top of Lower Canyon

mailto:info@ecofishresearch.com

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Map 1. Juvenile Fish Migration Snorkel Survey Sections in the Kokish River.

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A total of 6 surveys were conducted in Section 1 between February 24 and April 27, 2016 to assess winter Steelhead abundance. To assess summer Steelhead and salmon species migration, eight surveys were conducted in Sections 1 and 3 from June 14 to August 11, 2016. Three full river surveys were conducted in late July, mid-August, and near the beginning of October to assess the abundance of early-run salmon species and summer steelhead. Surveys on October 18 and November 1, 2016 targeted Chum and late-run Coho salmon in Section 1.

In addition to the snorkel surveys, underwater video monitoring was conducted at the fishway located at the project intake. Two cameras were installed; one at the upstream exit of the fishway, and one at the midway point of the fishway. Video footage confirmed successful passage of Steelhead and Coho. Video data is being reviewed to estimate the total number of fish that migrated upstream.

The peak count of winter Steelhead occurred on April 19, 2016 when a total of 3 fish were observed in Section 1. Low counts of winter Steelhead may have been attributed to higher than normal water temperatures resulting in early spawning, and overall low abundance in 2016. The peak count of summer Steelhead was recorded during the full river survey carried out between August 23 and 25, when a total of 54 fish were observed in Sections 1, 2, and 3 (Figure 1). Of those 54 fish, 36 were observed above the intake (11.4 km). This was the second highest count in 8 years of data exceeded only by 39 Steelhead counted above the 11.3 km falls in September 2008.

The peak count for Coho Salmon occurred on a full river swim conducted from October 3 to 5, 2016, when a total of 210 adults were observed in Sections 1, 2, and 3 (Figure 2). During that survey, 19 adult Coho were observed upstream of the falls. The Kokish River Community Hatchery took a total of approximately 20 adult Coho for broodstock in November, when they swam into the Bentley Side Channel following high flow events in early November (Kollman, pers. comm. 2016). Surveys from July to the end of August, 2016, targeted early run Coho, which are known to migrate further upstream than the fall run (Lough and Hay 2009). Between August 23 and 25, 2016, a total of 114 Coho were observed (Figure 2), including 6 upstream of the falls.

A peak count of 224 Chum Salmon was observed in Section 1 on November 1 (Figure 3). The majority of these fish were observed downstream of the Powerhouse, and in the Bentley Side Channel. Addition Chum Salmon migrated into the Kokish during high flows in November, as noted by members of Kokish River Community Hatchery (Kollman, pers. comm. 2016).

Sockeye were observed in low abundance, with a peak count of 8 individuals observed in Section 1 on August 11, 2016 (Figure 4).

Pink Salmon were less abundant than what was observed in past years. During the full river swim conducted between August 23 and 25, 2016 a peak count of 102 Pink were observed in Section 1 (Figure 5). Pink salmon were not collected for broodstock by the Kokish Community Hatchery in

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2016; this was due to low abundance and fish being distributed in upstream pools where crews were unable to capture them by seine net (Kollman, pers. comm. 2016).

A peak count of two Chinook Salmon was observed during three separate surveys between August 11 and November 1, 2016 (Figure 6). During this time period only one fish was observed in Section 3. All other Chinook were observed in Section 1.

Peak counts of resident and anadromous trout and char species in all sections combined were: 14 Cutthroat Trout and 131 Dolly Varden during a full river swim conducted between August 23 and 25, 2016; and 3 Rainbow Trout observed on 4 separate swims occurring between February 24 and July 20, 2016 (Figure 7). The Rainbow Trout observed were predominantly stream resident, or adfluvial fish which drop down from Ida and Bonanza lakes. Cutthroat Trout and Dolly Varden were likely anadromous fish that may spawn in Section 1 of the Kokish River or its tributaries.

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Table 2. Summary of adult fish observed during 2016 snorkel surveys in the Kokish River.

ST CO CM CH SK PK CT RB DV

24-Feb 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 017-Mar 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 023-Mar 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 012-Apr 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 019-Apr 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 027-Apr 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 014-Jun 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 014-Jun 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 020-Jun 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 021-Jun 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 028-Jun 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 029-Jun 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 006-Jul 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 7 3 006-Jul 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 013-Jul 1 0 0 1 0 0 4 4 2 014-Jul 3 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 019-Jul 1 2 0 1 0 0 15 4 1 020-Jul 3 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 027-29-Jul 1 5 10 1 0 4 77 1 0 1227-29-Jul 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 027-29-Jul 3 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 003-Aug 1 0 1 1 0 0 70 6 0 104-Aug 3 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 010-Aug 3 36 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 011-Aug 1 4 18 1 2 8 66 9 0 5123-25-Aug 1 6 44 0 2 6 102 13 0 10023-25-Aug 2 3 38 0 0 1 18 1 0 3123-25-Aug 3 45 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 003-05-Oct 1 0 20 6 1 0 30 9 0 4003-05-Oct 2 4 137 0 0 0 0 1 0 1203-05-Oct 3 17 53 0 1 0 0 0 2 018-Oct 1 4 10 4 0 1 3 5 0 101-Nov 1 0 9 224 2 0 1 7 2 24

Fish ObservedDate Section

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Figure 1. Number of adult steelhead observed during snorkel surveys in Kokish River during 2016.

Figure 2. Number of adult Coho observed during snorkel surveys in Kokish River during 2016.

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Figure 3. Number of adult Chum observed during snorkel surveys in Section 1 on Kokish River during 2016.

Figure 4. Number of adult Sockeye observed during snorkel surveys in Section 1 on the Kokish River during 2016.

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Figure 5. Number of adult Pink observed during snorkel surveys in Kokish River during 2016.

Figure 6. Number of Chinook Salmon observed during snorkel surveys in the Kokish River in 2016.

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Figure 7. Number of adult Cutthroat, Rainbow, and Dolly Varden observed during snorkel surveys in Kokish River during 2016.

2. JUVENILE FISH ABUNDANCE Sampling for juvenile fish was conducted on dates between August and October 2016 to support the Year 3 monitoring requirements of the OEMP. The fish monitoring focused on assessing the standing stock of juvenile Steelhead and Coho Salmon within the diversion reach of the Kokish River. Sampling was also undertaken in the Tsulton River, where control reaches had been selected and monitored during baseline and Year 1 and 2 surveys. Electrofishing was used as the primary method for enumerating fry (age 0+), and snorkel surveys were used as the primary method for enumerating parr (age 1+ and 2+). Below is a summary of the 2016 survey effort.

2.1. Juvenile Electrofishing Electrofishing was conducted at 15 sites in the Kokish River (impact) and 11 sites in the Tsulton River (control) (Map 2 and Map 3); the sampling site locations and sampling dates for the Kokish and Tsulton rivers are presented in Table 3 and Table 4, respectively.

In the Kokish River, single pass electrofishing was conducted in ‘open’ sites (i.e., without the use of stop nets) ranging in area from 396 to 1,503 m2. Mark-recapture was conducted in a subsample of sites to determine capture efficiency. The Tsulton River was sampled using closed site multi-pass

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removal method (rather than open site mark-recapture). The Tsulton River is much smaller than the Kokish and therefore, it is feasible to net-off entire habitat units.

Using previously collected fish habitat data, fish densities can be calculated within specific mesohabitat types (i.e., pool, riffle, glide, cascade) across the entire sampling reach in each stream to estimate the standing stock of steelhead fry and parr, and Coho Salmon Fry. This analysis is underway and will be presented in the Year 3 OEMP reporting.

Table 3. Electrofishing sites on the Kokish River during 2016.

Easting Northing

KOK-DVEF01 2016-08-17 Riffle 10.5 654943 5593241KOK-DVEF04 2016-08-16 Riffle 2.3 650648 5598396KOK-DVEF05 2016-08-16 Glide 2.5 650798 5598241KOK-DVEF06 2016-08-16 Riffle 2.7 650827 5598055KOK-DVEF07 2016-08-16 Riffle 2.8 650843 5597872KOK-DVEF08 2016-08-16 Glide 2.8 650884 5597961KOK-DVEF09 2016-08-17 Cascade 6.9 652750 5595020KOK-DVEF10 2016-08-17 Cascade 7.0 652823 5594945KOK-DVEF12 2016-08-24 Riffle 7.8 653299 5594486KOK-DVEF13 2016-08-24 Riffle 7.8 653321 5594447KOK-DVEF14 2016-08-24 Cascade 7.9 653399 5594398KOK-DVEF15 2016-08-24 Riffle 11 655029 5592757KOK-DVEF16 2016-10-06 Riffle 2.3 654963 5593000KOK-DVEF17 2016-08-12 Cascade 7.2 653042 5594900KOK-DVEF18 2016-08-12 Glide 7.3 653111 5594847

Site River km (from mouth)

Mesohabitat Type

UTM (Zone 9 U, NAD 83)Sampling Date

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Table 4. Electrofishing sites on the Tsulton River during 2016.

2.2. Juvenile Snorkel Surveys Snorkel surveys were completed to enumerate age 1+ and 2+ steelhead in the Kokish and Tsulton rivers. Surveys included a total of 18 sites in the Kokish River and 15 sites in the Tsulton River (Map 2 and Map 3). The snorkel survey sites locations and sampling dates for the Kokish and Tsulton Rivers are presented in Table 5 and Table 6. In a subsample of sites on both streams, fish were marked with visible hook tags the night prior to each survey, and ‘re-sighted’ the following day to establish an observer efficiency rating.

Easting Northing

TSL-EF02 2016-09-25 Riffle 3.2 648562 5597086TSL-EF03 2016-09-26 Glide 3.5 648321 5596860TSL-EF06 2016-09-15 Riffle 2.1 648988 5597944TSL-EF07 2016-09-24 Glide 2.7 648745 5597470TSL-EF08 2016-09-15 Riffle 2.3 648910 5597792TSL-EF09 2016-09-14 Glide 2.0 649053 5598044TSL-EF10 2016-09-14 Glide 1.9 649140 5598041TSL-EF11 2016-09-25 Pool 3.0 648603 5597193TSL-EF12 2016-09-25 Glide 3.3 648454 5597021TSL-EF17 2016-09-24 Glide 2.8 648701 5597389TSL-EF22 2016-09-15 Glide 2.5 648817 5597597

UTM (Zone 9, NAD 83)Sampling Date

Site Mesohabitat Type

River km (from mouth)

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Table 5. Snorkel sites in the Kokish River during 2016.

Easting Northing

KOK-DVSN01 2016-08-16 Glide 8.0 653450 5594422KOK-DVSN02 2016-08-16 Cascade 8.1 653564 5594521KOK-DVSN03 2016-08-24 Glide 10.3 654797 5593407KOK-DVSN04 2016-08-24 Riffle 10.2 654757 5593454KOK-DVSN05 2016-08-17 Glide 7.1 652897 5594887KOK-DVSN06 2016-08-17 Cascade 7.0 652868 5594908KOK-DVSN07 2016-08-16 Glide 7.4 653129 5594778KOK-DVSN08 2016-09-29 Riffle 2.4 650733 5598339KOK-DVSN09 2016-09-29 Glide 2.3 650687 5598387KOK-DVSN10 2016-08-24 Glide 2.3 650605 5598546KOK-DVSN11 2016-08-25 Pool 2.3 654930 5593311KOK-DVSN12 2016-08-25 Glide 2.3 654704 5593566KOK-DVSN13 2016-10-05 Pool 2.3 652555 5595168KOK-DVSN14 2016-10-05 Cascade 2.3 652572 5595155KOK-DVSN15 2016-10-06 Pool 2.3 654910 5593065KOK-DVSN16 2016-10-06 Riffle 2.3 654963 5593000KOK-DVSN17 2016-08-12 Cascade 2.3 653042 5594900KOK-DVSN18 2016-08-12 Glide 2.3 653111 5594847

Site Mesohabitat Type

River km (from mouth)

UTM (Zone 9 U, NAD 83)Sampling Date

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Table 6. Snorkel sites in the Tsulton River during 2016.

3. HEADPOND HABITAT SUITABILITY AND FISH ABUNDANCE The construction of the intake weir at river kilometer 11.4 resulted in the creation of a ~14,000 m² headpond upstream of the weir. The construction of the headpond in the Kokish River has the ability to alter the mesohabitat composition and habitat suitability. This is mainly due to the potential loss of riffle-glide habitat and the creation of slower moving pool habitat. Post-construction habitat and fish abundance surveys were completed in the headpond, upstream of the Project intake during early August 2016. This work included snorkel surveys and instream flow study transects following similar methods to those used during baseline sampling in 2012 and Year 1 and 2. Juvenile fish abundance was estimated using mark-resight snorkel surveys, where juvenile fish were captured and marked with visible hook tags during a single night snorkel and re-sighted during two day time snorkel surveys on subsequent days. Ten snorkel surveys were also completed to assess adult fish abundance in conjunction with Adult Fish Migration monitoring presented in Section 1. Five instream flow study transects that were established during the baseline and Year 1 and Year 2

Easting Northing

TSL-SN06 2016-09-25 Pool 3.1 5597143 2016-09-25TSL-SN07 2016-09-15 Glide 2.7 5597470 2016-09-15TSL-SN11 2016-09-25 Pool 3.3 5597004 2016-09-25TSL-SN12 2016-09-25 Glide 3.3 648454 5597021TSL-SN15 2016-09-23 Glide 2.7 5597452 2016-09-23TSL-SN16 2016-09-23 Pool 2.8 5597399 2016-09-23TSL-SN17 2016-09-24 Glide 2.8 5597389 2016-09-24TSL-SN18 2016-09-23 Glide 3.1 5597166 2016-09-23TSL-SN19 2016-09-07 Glide 2.5 5597619 2016-09-07TSL-SN20 2016-09-07 Glide 2.4 5597732 2016-09-07TSL-SN21 2016-09-14 Pool 2.4 5597684 2016-09-14TSL-SN22 2016-09-15 Glide 2.5 5597597 2016-09-15TSL-SN23 2016-09-23 Glide 2.5 5597595 2016-09-23TSL-SN24 2016-09-24 Glide 2.9 5597339 2016-09-24TSL-SN25 2016-09-14 Pool 3.9 5597991 2016-09-14

Site Mesohabitat Type

River km (from mouth)

UTM (Zone 9, NAD 83)Sampling Date

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sampling were resampled during 2016. Data collected at each transect included depth, velocity and substrate. A comparative analysis will be conducted as part of the Year 3 OEMP reporting requirements, to to identify changes in juvenile abundance, density, and distribution, as well as relative abundace and distribution of adult salmonids associated with habitat changes from the headpond.

4. INSTREAM FLOW Hydrometric stations have been established on the Kokish River to provide real-time, instantaneous flow data. The three locations include Kokish River downstream of the intake, Kokish River upstream of the powerhouse, and Kokish River downstream of the powerhouse. The uppermost site, located below the intake, is the compliance point for monitoring Instream Flow Release and diversion ramp rates. The station upstream of the powerhouse provides information on flow attenuation and travel time through the diversion reach. The downstream station is the compliance point for monitoring ramping downstream of the powerhouse. Station servicing and discharge measurements are collected at different flows during the year, and an annual hydrology report will be produced to detail the status and present stage and discharge data for each hydrometric station.

5. WATER QUALITY Water sampling was conducted during the winter, spring, summer and fall seasons during 2016 to assess whether changes in water quality as a result of project operations are adversely affecting productive capacity for fish. Monitoring sites (n=4) are situated in upstream, diversion, downstream locations. Water quality parameters assessed included dissolved oxygen, total gas pressure, turbidity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, specific conductivity, total alkalinity, pH, total phosphorus, ortho-phosphorus, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. A tailrace monitoring site was also established specifically for total gas pressure monitoring.

Water temperature is monitored with the installation of continuous temperature recorders installed in the East Fork Kokish River and Bonanza River, upper and lower diversion reach, Tributary 27, the downstream reach below the powerhouse, and in the headpond. In the headpond, nine temperature loggers were installed that were evenly spaced across the full width of the channel. Air temperature loggers were also installed in the vicinity of the intake and powerhouse to facilitate modeling and analysis of the effects of change in water flow on water temperature. Water temperature monitoring will determine project effects on stream temperature and assess whether these effects will affect growth, survival, or reproductive success of Kokish River fish populations.

6. INVERTEBRATE DRIFT Monitoring of invertebrate drift is required for the Project due to the high fisheries values within the diversion reach, and their reliance on invertebrates as a source of food. Invertebrate drift sampling

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was conducted mid-August and late September 2016 at the same four sites sampled during baseline surveys. These include two upstream control sites located in the East Fork Kokish River and in the Bonanza River below Ida Lake, one site in the lower diversion reach upstream of the Powerhouse, and one site downstream of the Powerhouse. At each site, five drift nets were deployed in unison across the channel to sample the aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate drift for a minimum of four hours. Invertebrate samples were preserved and submitted for laboratory analysis to determine taxonomic identification, density, and biomass. The results from the 2014, 2015 and 2016 operational sampling will be compared with baseline data to determine if project operations have caused a change in the invertebrate drift abundance, biomass and/or species composition.

7. STREAM GEOMORPHOLOGY Stream geomorphology surveys were undertaken during low flows in October and November 2013 to provide a baseline for sampling during Project operation. Baseline surveys were conducted in the upstream reach, in the diversion reach, downstream of the powerhouse, and at a control reach in the East Fork Kokish, outside of the area of Project influence. Within each of these stream sections, data collection included topographic monitoring, sediment sampling, photographic monitoring, and spawning gravel surveys.

Following baseline data collection, ongoing assessments of stream geomorphology are required to ensure that any changes to sensitive habitats are identified. A full stream geomorphology assessment is required following the first large flood event that occurs after Project commissioning (i.e., the first 1 in 10-year event or greater, as determined by hydrology records at the intake), or at five years after construction, whichever comes first. In 2016, a 1 in 10-year event did occur and this will trigger a full stream geomorphology assessment in summer 2017. In the Year 3 monitoring only basic information on stream geomorphology was collected to identify any major changes to sediment composition or channel morphology. This survey included photographic monitoring and spawning gravel surveys in the same locations that were surveyed previously during the baseline study.

8. SUMMARY This memorandum summarizes the ongoing fisheries work carried out by Ecofish and MJL in 2016 to meet the requirements for Year 3 of the Kokish River Hydroelectric Project OEMP. The study components include assessments of adult fish migration and abundance, juvenile fish abundance, juvenile fish migration, headpond habitat suitability and fish abundance, instream flow, water quality and temperature, invertebrate drift, and stream geomorphology. Field work scheduled to occur during the winter of 2016/17 includes winter steelhead snorkel surveys, winter water quality sampling, flow compliance monitoring, and maintenance of the hydrometric stations.

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Yours truly,

Ecofish Research Ltd.

Prepared by:

Signed

Harlan Wright, Dip. Tech.

Environmental Technician, Task Manager

Signed

Matthew Thorton, B.Sc.

Environmental Technician

Reviewed by:

Signed

Adam Lewis, M.Sc., R.P.Bio.

Fisheries Biologist/President

Disclaimer:

The material in this memorandum reflects the best judgement of Ecofish Research Ltd. in light of the information available at the time of preparation. Any use which a third party makes of this memorandum, or any reliance on or decisions made based on it, is the responsibility of such third parties. Ecofish Research Ltd. accepts no responsibility for damages, if any, suffered by any third party as a result of decisions or actions based on this memorandum. This memorandum is a controlled document. Any reproductions of this memorandum are uncontrolled and may not be the most recent revision.

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REFERENCES

Lewis, FJA., T. Hatfield, H. Wright, M. Lough, S. Hay, and Xuezhong Yu. 2014. Kokish River Hydroelectric Project: Operational Environmental Monitoring Plan. Consultant’s report prepared for Kwagis Power Limited Partnership by Ecofish Research Ltd., February, 2014.

Lough, M.J. and S.E. Hay. 2009. Kokish River Fisheries Studies – 2008. Prepared for Kwagis Power, Brookfield Renewable Power Corporation, Vancouver, BC by MJ Lough Environmental Consultants, Nanaimo, BC Revision 2.

Personal Communications

Kollman, K. 2016. Port McNeill Chinook Club, Port McNeill, BC. Personal Communication. Phone correspondence with Harlan Wright, Ecofish, December 2015.

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PROJECT MAPS

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Map 2. Kokish River Juvenile Fish Sampling Sites.

Map 2

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Map 3. Tsulton River Juvenile Fish Sampling Sites.

Map 3

1. Adult Fish Migration and abundance2. Juvenile Fish Abundance2.1. Juvenile Electrofishing2.2. Juvenile Snorkel Surveys

3. Headpond Habitat Suitability and Fish Abundance4. Instream flow5. Water quality6. Invertebrate drift7. Stream Geomorphology8. SummaryReferencesPROJECT MAPS