In-Water Brush Piles (Woody Debris) Protocol video

Fish Habitat Enhancement Toolkit: In-Water Brush Piles in Ontario

This document outlines planning and implementation guidelines for an in-water brush pile project. It discusses the importance of woody debris in lake environments, the benefits of creating additional woody debris habitat, and the steps involved in planning and implementing an in-water brush pile project. The toolkit provides information on the necessary permits, materials, and equipment required for the project, as well as tips for communicating with stakeholders and evaluating the success of the project.

Enhancing Fish Habitat with Woody Debris

Fish require shelter just like we do. They use in-water woody debris for shade from the sun, for protection from predators, for finding macroinvertebrate food sources, and so much more. Read more about how in-water structures benefit native fish, and learn how Watersheds Canada's Fish Habitat program is working towards building up this habitat in this blog post!

How to Tie a Brush Bundle - Watersheds Canada

Learn how to tie a brush bundle. Sunken logs, trees, branches, and root balls provide excellent habitat for wildlife, including fish, turtles, birds, and invertebrates. Human activity and development have significantly reduced the amount of natural woody debris in lakes. Communities can promote the health of wildlife populations and improve water quality by creating additional woody debris habitat, such as in-water structure of brush piles or bundles. These brush bundles can provide fish with a food source, areas to rest, spawn, and escape predators.

In-Water Brush Piles (Woody Debris) Protocol video

Underwater woody debris is a healthy component of lake environments. Sunken logs, trees, branches, and root balls provide excellent habitat for wildlife, including fish, turtles, birds, and invertebrates. Beaver activity, wind, erosion, or water inflows from rivers or creeks naturally deposit such woody debris into a lake. However, human activity and development have significantly reduced the amount of natural woody debris from lakes. Communities can promote the health of wildlife populations and improve water quality by creating additional woody debris habitat, such as in-water brush piles. Brush piles can provide fish with a food source, as well as shaded areas to rest, spawn, and escape predators.