Update on Upper Fording River Westslope Cutthroat Trout

By Kamila Baranowska, MSc, RPBio, Aquatic Biologist

The Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT) population in the Upper Fording River (i.e. the Fording River upstream of Josephine Falls) near Elkford has experienced a dramatic decline in numbers between 2017 and 2019. Adult fish numbers have dropped from about 5,200 (in 2017) to only 330 fish (in 2019).

The latest monitoring data is showing that the adult fish numbers are at 1,500 in 2021.

The River is severely impacted by coal mining, with three coal mines operating in the Upper Fording (Greenhills Operations, Fording River Operations, and Line Creek Operations).

It is also impacted by forestry, but to a lesser extent than mining. WCT are the only fish species in the Upper Fording River and are genetically pure and of high conservation value.

Recreational fishing in the Upper Fording River has been closed since 2010 due to concerns around the fish numbers.

After the decline occurred, Teck hired a team of subject matter experts, consisting mainly of consultants that already do extensive work for Teck on existing monitoring and project approvals, to conduct an evaluation of cause (EoC) for the decline.

The EoC was completed in December 2021 and concluded that decline was caused by: “the interaction of extreme ice conditions (due to extreme, prolonged, cold air temperatures; seasonal, winter low flows; and low winter snowpack), sparse overwintering habitats and restrictive fish passage conditions during the preceding migration period in fall 2018. While stressors such as cold weather are natural, mining development has altered the availability of overwintering habitats in portions of the river and has exacerbated the challenges to fish passage through water use, channel widening and aggradation”.

KNC technical staff generally agree with the findings of the EoC but believe that the EoC team could have done a better job investigating and describing the links between mining operations and the stressors affecting the fish.

The development of pits, sediment ponds, diverting creeks, infilling creeks, and consumptive water use all impact flow in the Fording River; however, the EoC did not look at the cumulative impacts of these on surface or groundwater flows and fish habitat in the river.

After extensive feedback from technical staff, the EoC team agreed that the cumulative impacts of mining on surface and groundwater flows is a significant knowledge gap and recommended that Teck undertake a study to better understand/manage it. Teck has also begun undertaking some actions to aid in fish recovery, such as looking at ways to reduce water use and identifying opportunities for fish habitat rehabilitation projects in the Upper Fording.

The province has also began developing the Upper Fording WCT Recovery Plan with thorough engagement from KNC technical staff starting in September 2020.

The plan identifies threats to the population and suggests actions that need to be taken to mitigate the threats and protect the population.

KNC technical staff are still working with the province to ensure that the plan is robust, clear, and impactful to recovery.

Staff will be reaching out to Ktunaxa citizens about the recovery plan, starting with the Lands Advisory Working Group in September. If you have questions or comments, please contact Kamila Baranowska at kbaranowska@ktunaxa.org.