Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) COSEWIC assessment and status report 2012: chapter 16

Appendix 1. Conservation rank, estimated adult population abundance, stream occupancy (km), short-term trend, and the severity, scope and immediacy of threats to the 51 identified Bull Trout core areas in Alberta. Assessment was performed by the Fish and Wildlife Division of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and is based upon a modification of the Natural Heritage Network ranking methodology using NatureServe Conservation Status Assessment Criteria (estimated adult population abundances (using quantitative data and/or expert opinion) are accompanied by appropriate NatureServe Range Categories in parenthesis, and were subject to a core areas status exercise based on methodology of Fredenberg et al. (2005). The focus of the review was on core areas currently occupied by Bull Trout, and therefore this is not a comprehensive list of extirpated core areas. Modified from Rodtka (2009) and Girard (pers. comm. 2010). Accessible version of Appendix 1
Core Area Estimated abundance Occupancy (stream km) Short-term trend Threats Conservation rank
DU2 [Genetic Lineage 2: Western Arctic populations]
Athabasca River Basin
Pembina River 80 (50-250) 200-1000 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
McLeod River 1275(1000-2500) 1000–5000 Declining Substantial, imminent threat At Risk
Athabasca River 2500(1000-2500) 1000–5000 Declining Localized, substantial threat Potential Risk
Berland River 1000(250-1000) 1000–5000 Declining Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Peace-Smoky River Basin
Little Smoky River 750 (250-1000) 200–1,000 Stable Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Upper Smoky River 4500(2500-10000) 1000–5000 Stable Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Muskeg River 625 (250-1000) 200-1000 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Jackpine River 625 (250-1000) 200-1000 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Sulphur River 1000(250-1000) 40-200 Increasing Slightly threatened Potential Risk
Middle Smoky River 150 (50-250) 200–1000 Declining Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Wapiti River 1100(1000-2500) 200–1000 Declining Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Peace River 25 (1-50) 40–200 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Cutbank River 175 (50-250) 200–1000 Rapidly declining Moderate, imminent threat High Risk
Kakwa River 7450 (2500-10000) 200–1000 Declining Localized, substantial threat Potential Risk
Simonette River 1925 (1000-2500) 200–1000 Declining Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
DU4 [Genetic Lineage 2: Saskatchewan-Nelson populations]
Oldman River Basin
Belly River 250 (250-1000) 4–40 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat At Risk
St. Mary River 550 (250-1000) 40–200 Stable Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Upper Crowsnest R. 0 Extirpated
Castle River and Oldman Reservoir 310 (250-1000) 200–1000 Stable Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Upper Oldman R. 410 (250-1000) 40–200 Stable Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Upper Livingstone River 280 (250-1000) 4–40 Stable Moderate, imminent threat High Risk
Lower Oldman R. 60 (50-250) 40–200 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Waterton River 40 (1-50) 4–40 Declining Localized, substantial threat High Risk
Drywood Creek 40 (1-50) 4–40 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Willow Creek 0 -- -- -- Extirpated
Bow River Basin
Lower Bow River 0 -- -- -- Extirpated
Highwood River 190 (50-250) 40–200 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Flat Creek 40 (1-50) 4–40 Declining Widespread, low-severity threat High Risk
Sheep River 445 (250-1000) 40–200 Increasing Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Lower Elbow River 105 (50-250) 40–200 Rapidly declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Canyon Creek 20 (1-50) 4–40 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat At Risk
Upper Elbow River 115 (50-250) 40–200 Declining Moderate, imminent threat High Risk
Jumpingpound Cr. 15 (1-50) 4–40 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Ghost River 385 (250-1000) 40–200 Declining Moderate, imminent threat High Risk
Middle Bow River 10 (1-50) <4 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Middle Kananaskis R. Unknown 4–40 Severely declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
Upper Kananaskis R. 1200(1000-2500) 40–200 Increasing Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Upper Spray River 40 (1-50) 4–40 Declining Moderate, imminent threat High Risk
Lake Minnewanka 58 (50-250) 4–40 Declining Slightly threatened At Risk
Upper Bow River* Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Red Deer River Basin
Red Deer River 530 (250-1000) 200–1000 Declining Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Little Red Deer River 10 (1-50) 4–40 Declining Substantial, imminent threat High Risk
North Saskatchewan River Basin
Brazeau River 1275(1000-2500) 200–1000 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Blackstone River 720 (250-1000) 200–1000 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Nordegg River 105 (50-250) 40–200 Declining Moderate, imminent threat High Risk
Baptiste River 50 (1-50) 40–200 Declining Moderate, imminent threat High Risk
Upper North Saskatchewan River 950 (250-1000) 40–200 Increasing Slightly threatened Potential Risk
Pinto Lake & Cline R. 1150(1000-2500) 40–200 Stable Slightly threatened Potential Risk
Middle North Saskatchewan River 400 (250-1000) 40–200 Stable Moderate, imminent threat At Risk
Lower North Saskatchewan River 75 (50-250) 40–200 Stable Moderate, non-imminent threat At Risk
Clearwater River 390 (250-1000) 40–200 Declining Moderate, imminent threat High Risk
Total 33398        

* Bull Trout occur within this core area; however, insufficient information was available to derive a conservation rank.

Appendix 2. Conservation rank, estimated adult population abundance, stream occupancy (km), short-term trend, and threats to the 115 identified Bull Trout core areas in British Columbia. Assessment was performed by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment and is based upon a modification of core areas assessment methodology of Fredenberg et al. (2005) using quantitative data where available (see * below)and expert opinion. The severity, scope, and immediacy of threats identified is listed for each core area. Conservation status rank given for each core area, as well as overall for each of the 26 identified Bull Trout Ecological Drainage Units (EDUs) using the weighted average of assigned status ranks for each EDU’s core areas. * Indicates one of 31 available adult Bull Trout abundance datasets (number in parenthesis when more than one dataset for a core area). See Table 1 for more details. Modified from Hagen and Decker (2011). Accessible version of Appendix 2
Core area Estimated abundance Occupancy (stream km) Short-term trend Threats Conservation rank
DU1[Genetic Lineage 1: Southcoast BC populations]
EDU Lower Fraser Unranked
Lillooet * Unknown 200-1000 Stable Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Lower Fraser Unknown 200-1000 Declining Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Lower Fraser Canyon Unknown Unknown Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
EDU Puget Sound Low Risk
Skagit * 1000-2500 4-200 Increasing Restricted, low-severity threat Low Risk
EDU South Coastal At Risk
Squamish * 250-1000? 40-200 Declining Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat At Risk
DU2 [Genetic Lineage 2: Western Arctic populations]
EDU Upper Peace Potential Risk
Thutade * 250-1000 40-200 Increasing Restricted, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Finlay Reach * Unknown 200-1000 Stable Unthreatened Unranked
Peace Reach * Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Restricted, mod.-severe threat Unranked
Parsnip Reach *(n=2) Unknown 1000-5000 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Parsnip Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Finlay Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
Lower Finlay Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Omineca Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
Dinosaur Reservoir Unknown 4-40 Unknown Restricted, mod.-severe threat Unranked
EDU Lower Peace At Risk
Halfway-Peace *(n=3) 250-1000? 200-1000? Increasing? Widespread, mod.-severe, imminent threat At Risk
Lower Murray * 250-1000 200-1000? Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat At Risk
Moberly 50-250? 200-1000? Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat At Risk
Pine/Sukunka Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Upper Sukunka 250-1000? 200-1000? Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Murray Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
West Kiskatinaw Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Wapiti Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Narraway Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
EDU Upper Liard Unranked
Lower Dease Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Upper Dease Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Rancheria Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Upper Liard Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Upper Ketchika Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
Turnagain Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
Ketchika/Liard Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
EDU Lower Liard Unranked
Lower Liard Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
Upper Toad Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
Muskwa Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Prophet Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Fort Nelson Unknown 200-1000? Unknown Widespread, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
DU3 [Genetic Lineage 2: Yukon populations]
EDU Lewes    Distribution in question Unranked
Atlin Lake Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
EDU Teslin Unranked
Teslin Unknown Unknown Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
DU5 [Genetic Lineage 2: Pacific populations]
EDU Columbia-Arrow Potential Risk
Pend d'Oreille * 1-250 4-40 Declining Widespread-substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat High Risk
Columbia River 1-50 4-40 Declining Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat High Risk
ALR southern *
(1 + 1 w/ALR-N)
250-1000 4-40 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat At Risk
Whatshan 50-250? 4-40 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat At Risk
ALR northern *
(1 + 1 w/ALR-S)
1000-2500 40-200 Stable Restricted, low-severity threat Low Risk
EDU Lower Kootenay Potential Risk
Slocan 250-1000 40-200 Declining Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat At Risk
Kootenay Lake *(n=5) 2500-10000 200-1000 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
EDU Upper Kootenay Low Risk
Upper Kootenay R *(n=2) 1000-2500 200-1000 Increasing Restricted, low-severity threat Low Risk
Koocanusa * 1000-10000 200-1000 Increasing Restricted, low-severity threat Low Risk
Elk * Unknown 40-200 Increasing Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Bull Unknown 40-200 Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
EDU Upper Skeena At Risk
Morice 250-1000 40-200 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat At Risk
Upper Sustut * Unknown Unknown Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Mid-Skeena * Unknown Unknown Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Lower Sustut/Skeena * Unknown Unknown Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Skeena Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Lower Babine/Skeena Unknown Unknown Unknown Unthreatened Unranked
Upper Babine Unknown Unknown Declining? Restricted, mod.-severe threat Unranked
Babine Lake Unknown Unknown Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Kispiox Unknown Unknown Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Bulkley Unknown Unknown Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Zymoetz Unknown Unknown Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Kitsumkalum Unknown Unknown Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
EDU Upper Fraser Potential Risk
Upper Fraser * 1000-2500 200-1000 Stable? Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Robson Unknown Unknown Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
McGregor Unknown Unknown Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Bowron Unknown Unknown Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
EDU Middle Fraser Potential Risk
Chilko * 250-1000 40-200 Stable Widespread, low-severity threat At Risk
Upper Bridge 250-1000 40-200 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, non-imminent threat At Risk
Seton/Anderson/Lower Bridge 250-1000 200-1000 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, non-imminent threat Potential Risk
Fraser Canyon Unknown 40-200 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Quesnel Lake Unknown 40-200 Stable Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Cariboo Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Cottonwood Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
West Road Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Churn Unknown 40-200 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Big Creek Unknown 40-200 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Little Chilcotin Unknown 40-200 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat Unranked
Taseko Unknown 200-1000 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Prince George Unknown Unknown Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Stuart Unknown Unknown Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Francois Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Nechako Reservoir Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
EDU Homathko-Klinaklini Potential Risk
Lower Klinaklini Unknown Unknown Unknown Restricted, mod.-severe threat Unranked
Upper Klinaklini 1000-2500? 200-1000 Stable Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
Lower Homathko 250-1000? 40-1000 Stable Unthreatened Potential Risk
Upper Homathko 1000-2500? 200-1000 Stable Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
EDU Bella Coola-Dean Distribution in question Unranked
Upper Dean Unknown 40-200 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Upper Atnarko Unknown 4-40 Unknown Unknown Unranked
EDU Thompson Potential Risk
Upper Shuswap * 250-1000 40-200 Increasing Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Middle Shuswap 1-50 4-40 Very rapidly declining Widespread, mod.-severe, imminent threat High Risk
Adams Lake 250-1000 40-200 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Shuswap Lake 1000-2500 200-1000 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Mabel Lake 250-1000 200-1000 Unknown Substantial, mod.-severe, non-imminent threat Potential Risk
Nicola 1-250 4-40 Very rapidly declining Widespread, mod.-severe, imminent threat High Risk
North Thompson 1000-2500 200-1000 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
EDU Upper Columbia Potential Risk
Revelstoke Reservoir 250-2500 200-1000 Stable/
Increasing
Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Kinbasket Reservoir 1000-10000 200-1000 Stable/
Increasing
Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Upper Columbia 250-2500 200-1000 Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Potential Risk
Spillimacheen Unknown 4-40 Unknown Restricted, mod.-severe threat Unranked
EDU Flathead At Risk
Upper Flathead 250-1000 40-1000 Declining Substantial, mod.-severe, imminent threat At Risk
EDU Lower Skeena Unranked
Lower Skeena Unknown Unknown Unknown Restricted, low-severity threat Unranked
EDU Upper Nass Unranked
Upper Naas Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Middle Naas Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Meziadin Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Cranberry-Kiteen Unknown Unknown Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
Bell-Irving Unknown Unknown Unknown Widespread, low-severity threat Unranked
EDU Iskut-Lower Stikine Unknown Unranked
Tuya Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Tahitan Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Middle Iskut Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
EDU Upper Stikine Unknown Unranked
Upper Stikine Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Spatsizi Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Klappan Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Tanzilla Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
EDU Nakina Unknown Unranked
Nakina Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
EDU Taku Unknown Unranked
Inklin Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Sheslay Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked
Nahlin Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unranked

* Indicates one of 31 available adult Bull Trout abundance datasets (number in parenthesis when more than one dataset for a core area).

Appendix 3. Land-use events and Bull Trout declines in the Oldman River Basin, southwestern Alberta. Sourced from Rodtka (2009).
Drainage Type of Habitat Disturbance (Watershed) Date Period of Bull Trout decline/
disappearance
St. Mary River and tributaries Reservoir construction (St. Mary River)
Irrigation agriculture, irrigation diversion, timber harvest (Lee Creek)
1946
1950s
1960s
Belly River and tributaries Three irrigation diversion weirs (Belly River)
Reservoir construction (Waterton River)
Reservoir construction (North Drywood Creek, Drywood Creek)
Gas exploration, development, and processing (Drywood drainage)
1920s
1964
1960s
1950s
1960s
Castle River and tributaries Timber harvest (West Castle, South Castle, Carbondale drainages)
Road improvement (South Castle)
Timber harvest, road improvement (Carbondale drainage, South and West Castle drainages)
Gas exploration
1940s
1953
1960s,1970s

1960s,1970s
1960s–1970s
Crowsnest River and tributaries CPR construction
Coal mine developments
Timber harvest
Road improvements
Urban development
1897–1898
1902–1970s
1902–1960s
1920s–1970s
1902–now
1950s–1960s
Oldman River and tributaries Road improvement (Forestry Trunk Road) (Upper Oldman drainage)
Timber harvest (Upper Oldman drainage)
Reservoir construction (Willow Creek)
Irrigation diversion (Willow Creek drainage)
Gas exploration (Upper Oldman, Porcupine Hills)
1953

1960s–now
1966
1960s
1960s–1970s
1960s–1970s

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