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After
three years of fund raising, delays in permits from DFO and the CVC, CRAA completed
the largest boulder placement in our history in August, 2000. The Credit River Anglers
Association has been working to enhance and improve all aspects of the fishery within
the Credit River since 1989 when CRAA was formed. The lower Credit River has been
a major area of interest due to the high level of angling pressure and the phenomenal
fishery that is available. In 1991 CRAA placed 10 boulders below the pond in Erindale
Park, and in 1992 10 more rocks were placed below the ice breaker. This year 82 large
boulders weighing between 3,000 and 12,000 pounds were added to the river in Erindale
Park to improve fish habitat and angling opportunities. In addition to the new boulders,
we moved 37 existing boulders to incorporate them into the new structures. Flooding
caused by urban development has filled in many holes and the placement of boulders
is aimed at creating new pools and reducing erosional pressure in the park.
Funding:
The Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources has provided $2,000 in CFWIP funding to assist paying
for rocks. All other costs of this project have been funded by CRAA. The estimated
cost of the project is $8,500.00. CRAA has been given the use of a high hoe at a reduced
rate, the operator volunteered his time and rocks have been delivered at special prices
due to the environmental nature of the work.
Benefits
: The boulder placement will provide:
- holding areas
for returning, migrating adult salmon and trout.
- refuge habitat for
downstream migrating juvenile salmon and trout.
- resident habitat
for species which stay in the area all year round.
- spawning, nursery
and living habitat for all fish species including smallmouth bass which successfully
reproduce in the park.
- increase the number
of holding areas for migrating fish which will spread out the angling pressure on
the river.
- scour out deep holding
areas creating winter habitat for salmonids and improving the area for angling.
- the scouring of the
river channel in areas where it has widened and shallowed which will take erosion
pressures away from the banks of the river.
- add to the aesthetic
benefits of the river and create more natural habitat.
- create more riffle
water for canoes and kayaks.
- help to reduce the
impacts of flooding on the river banks.
This project has been
designed, planned, developed and brought to completion exclusively by volunteers working
to protect and improve the Credit River. CRAA President, John Kendell, volunteer coordinator
Aaron Bodiam, and volunteers Mike Brady and Vince D'Elia have all put time into measuring
the work areas, planning, mapping and writing the reports and permit requests. Additional
comments were provided by the CVC (Bill DeGoose and Bob Morris) and MNR (Ken Cornelisse).
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