By Dave Branco

Cottonwood Island Park

Fish no longer left high and dry, channel gets a lifesaving makeover

Dec 5, 2025 | 4:53 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Spruce City Wildlife has recently completed one of its most significant projects, enhancing a water channel at Cottonwood Island Park that has historically led to the deaths of numerous fish each season. 

After almost three months of excavation, the final touches have now been finished.

This initiative has been in progress for over five years, demonstrating Spruce City Wildlife’s commitment to monitoring and rescuing animals in the channel. 

By deepening the channel to match the Nechako River’s level, fish will no longer become stranded during periods of low water.

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The crew also planted willow stems to provide shade and stabilize the banks along the channel.

Approximately 1.5 kilometres of the channel have been restored. It is anticipated that during high-water events, many salmon and other fish species will use this area as a refuge and spawning habitat. 

Spruce City Volunteers will continue to monitor the channel to observe how wildlife adapts to its new environment.