Evidence some salmon have been able to pass through massive Fraser River landslide: B.C. gov’t
Posted August 25, 2019 8:13 am.
Last Updated August 25, 2019 10:48 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The British Columbia government says there is now evidence that some salmon are able to pass through the massive landslide on the Fraser River near Lillooet on their own.
The landslide was discovered in June, but is believed to have happened last fall. Huge rocks that fell from the cliffs above the river created a waterfall and barrier for salmon to access their spawning grounds.
#BigBarLandslide Update: As of August 20, a rough estimate of 6,700 #salmon have used the natural fish passage to migrate past the landslide blockage. https://t.co/t2rn892usY pic.twitter.com/YdZcCuqpeI
— DFO Pacific (@DFO_Pacific) August 24, 2019
Crews have been working to shift rocks at the slide to create a natural passage for fish, in addition to transporting more than 34,000 salmon to date by helicopter.
The province estimates roughly 6,700 salmon have moved upstream naturally, on their way to spawning grounds.
A field camp with nearly 70 personnel was established last week near the site of the landslide, and a second fish wheel is being added to capture more salmon for transportation upstream.