Salmon habitat assessment East Branch (St. Mary’s River)

SMRA’s 2013 Recovery Strategy identified the need to address habitat issues resulting from years of erosion because of floods and spring ice conditions which has caused sections of the main river to become wide and shallow, resulting in warm shallow water flows in the summer and excessive winter ice.

The work on the West Branch over the last six years has provided significant salmon spawning and nursery areas, as well as improving access to the upper section of the West Branch. While more work could be done on the West Branch, access has become an issue. As SMRA works to resolve these access issues, this project will begin the study and design work with the aim of beginning restoration efforts on the East Branch of the River.

Contact:  Kenny Silver, kenny.silver@ns.sympatico.ca; stmarysriver@ns.sympatico.ca