Hydro project approval threatens steelhead and salmon habitat

The habitat for the steelhead rainbow trout, is under threat due to plans
by a private power project to divert the Kokish River into a pipe.

Photograph by: McClatchy Newspapers, Vancouver Sun

Hydro project approval threatens steelhead and salmon habitat

By Poul Bech,

Vancouver Sun

December 17, 2011

For the first time, the B.C. government has approved a run-of river power project that diverts water from salmon or steelhead habitat. It means that no wild river in B.C. is safe from diversion and industrialization, regardless of its value to fish and wildlife.

The Kokish River is a small, wild stream on northern Vancouver Island. It cascades from Ida Lake through a steep white-water canyon to the ocean at Beaver Cove near Port McNeill.

This 10-kilometre long stream is home to a rare population of wild summer-run steelhead - seagoing rainbow trout that migrate to the ocean at a young age and return to their river as salmon-sized adults one to three years later.

Read more here

For more information about 'Run of the River Power' in British Columbia, go to:

Run-Of-River Power: Another Reckless BC Gold Rush and Run of River - Hydroelectric Projects in BC Create New Gold Rush