The 2017 WRIG Field Crew was led for the fourth year in a row by Brittany MacLean (Supervisor)! Two new members joined the field crew in 2017: Clare Fitzpatrick as Riparian Health Technician and Taylor Gallant as Field Crew Technician. Staff took part in training sessions including Watershed Restoration Techniques, Tree Planting and Pruning, as well as First Aid training.
- 826 trees and shrubs native to PEI were planted by staff and volunteers.
- 6 km of stream were walked and connectivity was restored.
- 11 brush mats were constructed.
- 7.48 km of riparian health assessments were completed.
- 9 crossing assessments were completed.
Our major project component was the work to recover the natural meander pattern and pool-and-riffle sequence – which was conducted upstream of Rackham’s Community Pond on the Wheatley River. This portion of the Wheatley River was once part of the old pond basin. The sediment load is high and the channel is completely straight and shallow. Two deflectors were constructed using larch beams to create a log crib (basically, a triangular structure, lined with filter fabric and brush, filled with rock). The upstream deflector was placed in coordination with a tree-trunk and rock deflector in order to pinch the channel, speeding up the current and adding depth to a shallow and uniform area. These deflectors help to narrow and deepen the channel and directly improve brook trout habitat by encouraging the formation of pools. These structures were implemented with the help of other watershed groups that have competed similar projects (BBEMA, HCWG, CQWG).