Supporting fish habitat restoration
Following the flood in 2013, Allison Creek in southwestern Alberta was damaged. This creek provides critical habitat for the Westslope Cutthroat Trout—a species protected under the Species at Risk Act, and important habitat for Bull Trout, protected under the Alberta Wildlife Act. With the creek greatly in need of restoration, Alberta Environment and Parks looked to our team for help.
Our team designed bioengineered fish habitat features to repair and enhance fish habitat within sensitive watersheds. The designs included wood cribwalls complete with plantings in the upper layers and locally sourced live poplar in the lower layers, accelerating the establishment of riparian vegetation, and creating habitat cover. We added a tree revetment anchored to the bank using locally sourced trees and native cobbles as well as wood debris features that are arranged as a network of debris to reduce erosion and stabilize the banks. Using locally sourced gravels and riparian vegetation, we re-established and re-created more than 100 metres of the channel within the headwaters, repairing and directly improving the habitat quality for the threatened fish species.
Upon completion, feedback from the client let us know our work positively impacted the fish habitat.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Alberta Environment and Parks
James Bigelow, Associate, Senior Hydrotechnical Engineer
As people, we are naturally connected to water—it’s our duty to design with both the natural habitat and community resiliency in mind.
Kathryn Glendinning, Senior Associate, Landscape Architecture Manager
Whether we’re improving wildlife habitats, enhancing biodiversity or recreational spaces, our job is about making spaces better.
Matt Wood, Principal
I help build flood resilient communities by restoring rivers and riparian areas, designing riverine infrastructure, and flood mitigations.
Lacey AuCoin, Senior Associate, Environmental Planner
I work closely with clients and regulators to integrate the environmental mitigation strategies that meet project objectives.
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