Port Albert Fishway:

We went on a mini vacation this week. Just north of Goderich, we stopped at the Port Albert Fishway. A fishway is a man-made structure which allows fish to by-pass a dam or other obstruction. Each spring, fish attempt to migrate up the Nine Mile River. Rainbow Trout are one of the most common migrants. When the Mill Dam at Port Albert was constructed, it impeded the trout from reaching their spawning grounds. As a result, a large concentration of both fish and anglers below the dam partially contributed to poor fishing ethics and tremendous pressure on fish populations. 

In addition to assisting fish in moving upstream, 'Fishways' allow Biologists to capture, sample, and live release fish belonging to the spawning portion of the population. 

View from the bridge above the fish lift.

Chinook Salmon, heading upstream.

Notice the Salmon's open mouth - lower left.

Base of Fish lift beside waterfall.

Fish must navigate many obstacles in the river to get to the bottom of the fish lift.

Common Water Strider - possible fish food in the river!

Data above was based on Spring sampling as of April 26, 2024

*Fishways information taken from on-site interpretive signs.

We managed to find a few things with wings including a female White-crowned Sparrow. 

A couple of Cabbage White Butterflies fluttered around the few remaining flowers in bloom.