Propagation of Wetland Vegetation

CPC THRUMS SHORELINE RESTORATION PROJECT

Location: Thrums, British Columbia

Client: Columbia Power Corporation

Objective: To help reduce the energy of the wave action resulting in shoreline erosion along the banks of the Brilliant Head pond reservoir. To establish wetland vegetation in conjunction with other soil bioengineering techniques in order to improve fish and wildlife habitat.

As part of a more extensive shoreline stabilization project involving soil bioengineering and rock placement, wetland vegetation was established along sections of shoreline on the Brilliant Head pond reservoir. The vegetation used included various sedges (Carex ssp.), bulrushes (Schoenoplectus ssp.) and cattails (Typha latifolia). Clumps of these species were selectively harvested from local wetland areas in the spring of 2005 (care was taken to disperse collection in order to prevent degradation of these areas). The clumps were transported to the project site in burlap sacks. Planting was machine assisted, using an excavator to prepare planting depressions along the shoreline (the water level in the reservoir was lowered for this project). Several clumps of each species were placed together to form patches; these were secured into place using wire and wooden stakes. The distance from the shoreline at which each patch was located determined the depth of water over that species. The layout was designed to mimic the distribution of each species with regards to water depth, as observed during collection of the propagules.