Finn Creek (Pesqleten; “has salmon in it”) is a traditionally and ecologically important stream for the Símpcwemc (people of the Simpcw). In 2023, a study was undertaken on Finn Creek during which time multiple visits were undertaken by Simpcw Resources Group (SRG) to sample for fish, conduct habitat assessments on both the mainstem and prominent side channels, collect LIDAR imagery, sample for invertebrate, and collect water quality data.
Based on results of the fish sampling, Finn Creek between its confluence with the North Thompson River, and approximately 1.5 km upstream of Highway 5, is used extensively as a rearing stream for Coho salmon, making up 86.9% of the captured fish. Although Bull trout make up a smaller share of the captured fish, all three life stages were observed in Finn Creek, highlighting its importance to the species as well. Other species captured in Finn Creek included Chinook salmon, Rainbow trout, Mountain whitefish, Redside shiners, and three species of Sculpin (Prickly, Torrent and Slimy).
Habitat quality was found to be greatest nearer to the North Thompson River while salmonid use was determined to be dependent on time of year and stream conditions. Water quality in Finn Creek was found to be optimal for many species of salmonids with stream temperatures, dissolved oxygen and flow levels within optimal levels for the growth of various salmonid species.
Although one project objective was to identify areas of potential restoration, maintaining a riparian management area (RMA) in the study area and in the rest of the watershed was determined to be the most integral component to maintaining and improving sediment, water quality and nutrient delivery in Finn Creek. In addition, mitigating extreme high flows through watershed management could provide downstream hydrological conditions that would result in additional gravel recruitment to downstream reaches.