| Summary: | An estimated 90% of resident sculpin (Cottus asper and C. aleuticus) were impacted by a spill of
45,000 litres of sodium hydroxide, which occurred on the Cheakamus River, British Columbia
on August 5, 2005. This study examined sculpin biology, life history, how sculpins are
recovering from the impact, and whether they are re-entering the Cheakamus River from the
adjacent Squamish and Mamquam Rivers. Sculpins were sampled in the three river systems via
minnow trapping and electrofishing. Morphometric data were recorded and fin clips were taken
as deoxyribonucleic acid vouchers to validate field species identification and to determine
population distinctiveness among the three systems. Populations were not distinct, suggesting
recolonization from other rivers is occurring. The data show sculpins will undergo seasonal
downstream spawning migrations and also suggest sculpins are opportunistic habitat colonizers.
This research bears useful implications for the adaptive management, recovery, and
sustainability of sculpins in the Cheakamus River.
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