Volunteers from MVIHES work on repairing fish habitat at Shelly Creek in Parksville.(submitted/Paul Law)

By Alex Rawnsley

WATER REPAIR

New bridge, native plants among work to repair fish habitat at Parksville creek

Aug 25, 2020 | 5:22 AM

PARKSVILLE — A new bridge began construction on Monday, spanning the short distance over Shelly Creek in Parksville.

The construction is necessary to help protect a resident population of coastal cutthroat trout who spend their entire lives in a 200 metre stretch in the creek.

Peter Law, president of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES), told NanaimoNewsNOW the habitat has become more volatile over the years by drying up in the summer and flooding from property drainage in the winter.

“It becomes a real balancing act to try and maintain fish habitat when water is copious at certain times of year yet almost negligible at this time of year.”

In partnership with the City of Parksville, the society is spearheading the project. In addition to a bridge over the creek, native plants will be planted to provide a more stable habitat for the fish and keep people away.

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A map showing the Shelly Creek park area and creek, the site of a new bridge and repair work. (City of Parksville)

Law said most parts of the creek can be traversed with a single step, but that hasn’t stopped damage to the banks.

“This park has existed for a number of years and people have crossed the stream at a location without any real guidance on where to cross. People have walked all over a lot of the existing vegetation.”

The bridge is due to cost around $15,000 with upgrades to surrounding trails scheduled once work is completed.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley