Coldwater Creek

THE TERRAIN IS VERY UNSAFE. THIS SITE CAN NOT BE ACCESSED WITHOUT PROPER GUIDANCE. The terrain is snow covered with approx., 1 meter of snowpack. The left and right banks snow escarpments are hard packed, and unstable. The water is flowing under left bank and has created an overflow approx. a meter wide. The area is unsafe for anyone to enter unless you are trained in snow and ice readiness, survival, ad safety awareness and working near water in winter. ONLY GO WITH KIKI. She is certified. It is safe for Kiki, her mother was used as a emergency contact. She text upon arrival to each site and text a thumbs up when she left.
Storm water is a source of pollution in the immediate surroundings. Water Colour: Orange.
There was no birds or wildlife seen. No wildlife tracks. There was approx. 1 meter of snow pack at the site. The tree that was hanging in the river last season has fallen and is in the creek. It could become a problem at the culvert if a fast melt occurs. This should be monitored.

The site is currently inaccessible for water monitoring due to deep snow accumulation, unstable icy surface, and the risk of falling through thin ice along the stream's edge.

The beaver dam is gone, it looks like it may have been broken up by a large amount of water. It looks like an explosion of sticks. The other side of the culvert is very high and flowing over the rock once again.
The sand island is not visible and is under the water. The walk down to the creek is slippery because of frozen snow-covered green grasses and other vegetation. The water is high.

This dam is unreal and incredibly dangerous. At this point we need to ensure that no one is getting too close to the dam, the rocks we usually stand on are eroded from water running through them, it is very uneven footing. Do not go near the dam and be careful as the water has flooded above riparian walls.

The beaver dam in the culvert is incredible in size. The water is now approximately 2 feet above the culvert passage but is not flowing, instead a small trickle of water is passing on the sides of the culverts where water is able to pass. The beaver has been busy. A trail cam would be a good asset to watch what is happening at these sites when night comes. The water is high and there is nowhere to sample without being in vegetation. Be careful of footing and do not go near the beaver dam in the culvert. This is a major hazard and is a dangerous area to approach.

Dam is bigger. After the rain at the beginning of last monitoring day, the beaver has been active and reformed the dam. There is water flowing on the other side of the culvert but the water level is higher than it has ever been, due to the beaver dam in the culvert. Be careful of uneven ground. The creek is flooded so there is excess water and less room to work in. The vegetation is now closer to waters edge. The beaver has been very busy at this culvert once again.

Squirrel chirping non stop.
A few minnows.
Materials left from culvert installation include wooden stakes and filter cloth
Path now cleared through vegetation for safer footing down to water
Uneven rocks from culvert installation at lower part of slope and by water
Low beaver dam in culvert.

The beaver dam in front of the culvert has stippoed flow completely from moving forward. There is a sewage smell from the decomposition that is occuring at the culvert. The oily sheen is from bacteria film. The water level is high because of the dam. Use the path that has been cut down and watch your step walking on the uneven ground.

The rocks were slippery from the morning dew. The vegetation is thick , but we cut it back and cut and pulling some weeds to make the rocks and ground apparent.
Odour - Rotting.

High vegetation blocks the view of the footing
Rocky shore
Material left from culvert installation
Slippery Creek Bottom, clay.