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Response of riparian cottonwoods to experimental flows along the lower Bridge River, British Columbia

Posted on:2005-11-12Degree:M.ScType:Thesis
University:University of Lethbridge (Canada)Candidate:Hall, Alexis AnneFull Text:PDF
GTID:2452390008996130Subject:Biology
Abstract/Summary:
The Bridge River drains the east slope of the Coast Mountain Range and is a major tributary of the Fraser River in southwestern British Columbia. The lower Bridge River has been regulated since the installation of Terzaghi Dam in 1948, which left a section of dry riverbed for an interval of 52 years prior to 2000. An out-of-court settlement between BC Hydro and Federal and Provincial Fisheries regulatory agencies resulted in the required experimental discharge of 3 m3/s below Terzaghi Dam in 2000. This study investigated growth of black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa ) trees in response to the experimental discharges. Mature trees did not show a significant response in radial trunk growth or branch elongation. In contrast, the juvenile trees displayed an increased growth response, and the successful establishment of saplings provided a dramatic response to the new flow regime. Thus, I conclude that cottonwoods have benefited from the experimental flow regime of the lower Bridge River.
Keywords/Search Tags:Bridge river, Experimental, Response, British columbia, Flow regime
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