Niagara River Area of Concern Fish Barrier Project (Mar12/06)

The Niagara Restoration Council began its fish barrier removal with the inventory of over 200 identified fish barriers on the Niagara River, and its tributaries. Fish barriers pose several threats to wildlife by not only restricting passage, but eliminating access to high quality fish habitat (including spawning areas) in reaches upstream.

Obstructions such as private dams, weirs, crossings, perched culverts, or log jams obstruct the flow of water, sediments, nutrients, and fish. Warm water fish species, like those most commonly found in Niagara, are unable to jump over these barriers.

Since project inception, over 134 barriers have been effectively removed, through the replacement and repair of culverts, in-stream restoration work, dam removal, installation of crossings, and construction of by-pass channels. This work commonly involves permit approvals from regulatory agencies for in-stream work, as well as engineering and surveying studies. The project has also included additional improvements to watercourses through wetland enhancement, native riparian plantings, and stream channel reconfiguration. The project has supplied many exciting opportunities for public education and involvement through school and public events.

Overall, the project has ‘unlocked’ over 404 km of fish habitat, which was formerly unavailable. The NRC is working towards the removal of fifty-five barriers, which are still considered prime candidates for remediation within the project area.

As of today, the NRC is currently working on six specific fish barrier removal sites.

This project, not unlike the other NRC projects, is heavily dependant upon partnership with other organizations, including the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and funding groups such as the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.