Provincial Perspectives, Telegraph Journal
Consistent small steps to improve the Nashwaak River ecosystem are welcome.
The recent removal of the Campbell Creek dam provides an opportunity to monitor and contrast salmon health before and after. This is just the latest step in river health efforts, as work to amend the riparian ecosystem on the river has seen progress in recent years.
Floodplain restoration work has put thousands of trees back on Neill’s Flats, to anchor against erosion. These willows, dogwoods, poplar and silver maples buffer against flooding and also contribute to shading the river to ensure water temperatures stay cool – critical to salmon health.
Now, with free passage further up into tributaries, the fish have a better shot at reproducing and regaining population health in the St. John River watershed. More work is planned to assess culverts.
These continuing efforts matter, contributing to the overall health of the river and the organisms that call it home. The salmon is an iconic species and a symbol of our province’s bounty, but it’s facing challenges, More incremental work to help keep rivers free and cool is essential to setting up the salmon for success.
We support the work of the Nashwaak Watershed Association and wish them success.
