Sockeye spawning on the Horsefly. Photo courtesy of C. Iwan
Fish – This land purchase has secured some of the most valuable sockeye spawning habitat in BC and North America. In 1993, the sockeye run in the Horsefly River comprised over 50 per cent of the Fraser River sockeye production and 36 per cent of the total salmon catch for the provincial coastal waters, yielding a catch worth approximately $68 million. Production in this area has surpassed that of the world famous Adams River on the peak cycle years.
Off channel habitat throughout the Conservation Area is also very valuable for the rearing of juvenile rainbow trout, and chinook and coho salmon. The productivity of the habitat and the genetic makeup of the rainbow trout allow them to grow to a trophy size that is second largest in the world. The Horsefly River itself produces an estimated 75 per cent of the total rainbow trout in Quesnel Lake, which has the second largest sport fishery in the Cariboo region.
A bird's eye view of sockeye spawning on the Horsefly River. Photo courtesy of Terrasaurus Ltd.
Recent years have seen significant declines in wild salmon stocks throughout BC. On the Horsefly this was very apparent in 2009 as this year was supposed to be a peak run on the Horsefly. Early predictions suggested that over 2 million fish were expected to return to spawn. Instead, the run was but a mere 10% of what was expected, raising serious questions about the overall heath of the entire Fraser River sockeye salmon population . The reasons for this precipitous decline have yet to be determined, but it is suspected the unfavorable ocean conditions were a major reason for this decline. Given these declines, restoration of riparian habitats throughout areas where salmon spawn, is even more important now than in past years as it is imperative that salmon have ideal spawning habitat when they do in fact return to spawn. Our restoration work will continue into the foreseeable future in hopes of improving this important habitat requirement of this amazing species.
Wildlife – The Horsefly River property is also prime habitat for many wildlife species. Most notably, the entire Horsefly River watershed is known for the high density of grizzly and black bears, which gather to feed on spawning sockeye in the fall. Bears are often seen feeding on salmon along the river, particularly in the upstream portions of the Conservation Area. We have also noted that salmon carcasses are deposited (likely by bears, and possibly by wolves and coyotes) in the upland portions of the HRRCA. This behaviour has been observed throughout coastal areas of western North America and provides valuable nutrients to existing, and in our case, regenerating riparian areas.
Grizzly bear with the catch of the day on the Horsefly River. Photo courtesy of C. Iwan
Now that large areas of this floodplain will no longer be cultivated, and we are actively restoring the flood plain, we anticipate that both the numbers and diversity of these wildlife species will eventually increase. This is particularly true of birds. We have recorded over 100 species of birds in the Horsefly Valley. Currently, the HRRCA represents breeding habitat for a number of species that have undergone significant declines (Yellow and Orange-crowned Warblers), that have been identified as priority species in regional planning processes (Warbling Vireos), or are Provincially threatened (Sandhill Crane). As the willow and shrub habitat in the flood plain of the Horsefly continues to increase, we expect to see increases in these and other species of birds.
An Orange-crowned Warbler foraging on willows. Photo courtesy of M. Bezner
The Horsefly River Valley also hosts diverse community of waterfowl. Numbers of species recorded in the Horsefly rival those found in areas such as the pothole lake areas in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. Other species found in and around the Horsefly River property include the grey wolf, cougar, mule deer, moose, beaver, muskrat, coyote, red fox, marten, ermine, long tailed weasel, mink, bobcat, and lynx.
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