Abstract
Sapperton Pond is a perched off-channel wetland located along the south bank of the Brunette River. The pond occupies a remnant channel that became disconnected from the main river during channelization before the 1940s.The pond has potential to provide important off-channel habitat for overwintering juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). This potential was originally identified in 2008 as part of habitat offsetting associated with the Port Mann Bridge expansion. Previous restoration work completed in 2011 enhanced the site by expanding the pond, constructing an outflow channel to the Brunette River, installing large woody debris, and planting native riparian vegetation. This restoration plan evaluates the current ecological condition of Sapperton Pond and proposes actions to enhance its function as off-channel habitat for juvenile coho salmon. This project is led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in collaboration with the City of Burnaby. Site assessments conducted between November 2025 and March 2026 evaluated hydrology, water quality, vegetation, fish presence, and sediment conditions. Water quality parameters were within ranges suitable for juvenile coho salmon, but several ecological stressors were identified which impair the pond's ability to function as off-channel habitat. Stressors include extensive invasion by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), significant accumulation of fine sediments at the mouths of the inflow channels and across the pond bottom, and impaired hydrological connectivity caused by beaver dams that block the two outflow channels. These conditions reduce habitat complexity, limit fish passage between the pond and the Brunette River, and diminish the long-term ecological value of the site. The primary goal of this restoration plan is to conserve and enhance overwintering habitat for juvenile coho salmon within Sapperton Pond. Key restoration objectives we propose include achieving reliable fish passage between the pond and Brunette River, increasing pond depth, reducing ongoing sediment inputs from inflow channels, controlling invasive vegetation, and re-establishing diverse native riparian vegetation that provides shading and structural cover. To achieve these objectives, we propose several restoration treatments. Dredging accumulated sediments from the mouths of the inflow channels and the pond bottom will deepen the pond and improve habitat conditions for overwintering salmonids. Sediment control basins will be constructed at the mouths of Kingfisher Creek and Ancient Grove Creek to intercept sediment before it enters the pond. Beaver dams and invasive vegetation will be removed from the two outflow streams, reconnecting hydrology and restoring fish passage. Reed canary grass will be buried on-site under spoil piles of dredged sediment. Native plants will be established along the banks of Sapperton Pond to improve habitat conditions for juvenile salmonids. Following restoration, monitoring will determine fish habitat suitability by assessing water quality, sedimentation, fish passage and coho salmon abundance. Monitoring will also assess native planting mortality and invasive vegetation growth. Maintenance efforts focus on mitigating sedimentation, fish barriers, and the establishment of invasive vegetation. We estimate the total budget for this restoration plan to be $263,542.80