Construction of bridge in Kananaskis puts threatened trout species at risk, activists say

Endangered trout could be significantly impacted after the federal government approved rebuilding a controversial bridge for a logging project in Kananaskis Country, according to a study from a conservation group.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada approved West Fraser Timber rebuilding a bridge over the Highwood River and 14 temporary river crossings in the Loomis Creek area of the Upper Highwood.

The approval comes after a study from Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) indicated it was critical habitat for bull trout, which are listed under the federal government’s Species At Risk Act as being at risk. Another fish found in the Highwood River, the westslope cutthroat trout, also has that designation.

Josh Killeen, conservation science and programs manager for CPAWS, said the logging plan would negatively affect native trout species living in the area.

“We have this really quite wonderful population in the Loomis Creek watershed … the risk level for this population is quite high,” he said.

In addition to their at-risk status federally, bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout are also listed as threatened species under Alberta’s Wildlife Act.

However, Killeen said there had not been a detailed survey in the area until a 2023 study confirmed a “substantial section” of Loomis Creek watershed had bull trout.

An additional study in 2024 was completed and given to West Fraser, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Alberta government, he said.

Killeen noted West Fraser made some changes, but said “we don’t see those changes as being sufficient to reduce the risk to the bull trout population.”

Killeen said due to barriers on sections of Loomis Creek, the bull trout species is halted from moving from the creek to the Highwood River. It means it’s an “isolated population” and has been kept separate from other habitats.

“It’s a really good quality habitat throughout much of the Loomis Creek watershed. It’s really this quite pristine spot where we have this population surviving at the moment,” he said.

The logging plans for the Upper Highwood area would have West Fraser Timber — formerly operated by Spray Lake Sawmills — harvest about 1,000 hectares of forest.

Joyce Wagenaar, director of communications for West Fraser, said in a statement that the plan remains to start logging as early as this fall, with the area beyond Loomis Creek tentatively planned for 2026.

She said the company is continuing to engage with stakeholders and Indigenous communities.