Protecting aquatic habitat through bank restoration in the lower Nashwaak River

Description: This project aims to contribute to the restoration and protection of Atlantic salmon habitat through the completion of a bio-engineered bank restoration project. The overarching goal of this project is to improve water quality and aquatic habitat through the reduction of erosion and associated water quality degradation, as well as restoring and protecting ecologically significant habitat. Our project follows an ecosystem-based approach, that works to improve the overall health of the Wolastoq/Saint John River watershed and enhance aquatic habitat, flood mitigation and climate change resiliency. According to DFO, the Nashwaak River is the largest salmon-producing tributary of the Wolastoq/SJ River downstream of the Mactaquac Dam and contains 28.5% of total salmon production in this area, making it a prime target for habitat rehabilitation projects. A geomorphic assessment conducted on the lower Nashwaak in 2016 showed that eroding riverbanks were a major source of water quality and salmon habitat degradation through sedimentation. The NWAI is requesting funding to restore a 300m long section of bank that was assessed as “in adjustment” in the 2016 assessment. This classification denotes that this section of bank is extremely unstable and being subject to widening or other changes. A bio-engineered bank stabilization and re-vegetation project would restore this section of bank and decrease sediment loading in the Nashwaak.