In September 2020, we held another bio-engineering workshop led by bio-engineering specialist Dave Polster. The workshop was fully booked with a waiting list this year. A great sucess!

In collaboration with Trout Unlimited and Alberta Environment and Parks' trail crew a new OHV bridge was installed on the designated trail and attendees of the two-day workshop restored critical fish habitat along a tributary to Waiparous Creek in the Ghost Watershed applying bio-engineering techniques taught by Dave Polster.

The Waiparous Creek sub-basin of the Ghost Watershed is home to some of the few remaining pure Westslope Cutthroat Trout populations in Alberta. These fish thrive in cold and clean water and they are sensitive to sediment being washed into streams. 

A big Thank You to Trails4Tomorrow, Cows & Fish and the Calgary ATV Riders Association (CARA) for spreading the word about and participating in the workshop as well as to all the volunteers who came out on a beautiful Saturday to plant the willows! We got so many willows planted that day and are looking forward to seeing them grow next year. A big shout out to CARA volunteers for installing large woody debris that was donated and delivered by Spray Lake Sawmills.

Many thanks also to the Alberta Conservation Assocaition, Trout Unlimted and Cows & Fish, who provided funding for this project.

Photo credits: S. Fritz and M. Krainer

Bio-engineering workshop 2020

Copyright Ghost Watershed Alliance Society 2024.

Update September 2023: We revisited the site and found very good growth on many of the planted willow stakes. We also observed many balsam poplar trees, native strawberries and grasses moving into the site! Please see the photos below.