Black’s Brook

Annand Brook is a cool, forested stream with strong potential for fish habitat, but its natural structure was altered by historic land use. Through in-stream restoration and ongoing habitat enhancement, SWEPS is working to bring balance back to this important waterway.

About the Stream:

Black’s Brook (also known as the “A” Lake Stream) is a small headwater stream that flows from “A” Lake into Fletchers Lake, passing south of Lockview High School in Fall River. The brook is bordered by urban forest and residential areas, with a mix of hardwoods and old-growth conifers. This stream has been a long-standing restoration site for SWEPS, with efforts ongoing since 2014 to address erosion, over-widened channels, debris blockages, and streambank degradation.
The site is particularly sensitive due to its location near a high school, where human activity has impacted in-stream structures and fish passage. Community involvement has been central to the project, with regular cleanups, outreach events, and education efforts forming a key part of the restoration work.

Site Information

  • Watercourse: Black’s Brook (“A” Lake Stream)
  • Watershed: Shubenacadie Watershed
  • Location: South of Lockview High School
  • Nearest Community: Fall River, NS
  • Road Access Point: Lockview High School parking lot, accessed via Lockview Drive
  • Map Reference: NS Topo 1:50 000 – 11D13
  • Coordinates (UTM Zone 20T):
    • Downstream Limit: 451214.63E, 4963343.25N
    • Upstream Limit: 450716.31E, 4963397.82N

Project Design and Results

  • In-Stream Habitat Structures:
    • Design Width: 4 m
    • Stream Length Restored (m): 350 m
    • Habitat Area Restored (m²): 1400 m²
    • Number and Type of Structures:
      • Digger Logs – 5 (2014), plus 2 more (later years)
      • Rock Sills – 2
      • Deflectors – 1 (rock only)
      • Additional maintenance across multiple years
  • Bank Stabilization & Riparian Restoration:
    • Bank Length Stabilized (m): 40 m
    • Bank Height (avg.): 0.5 m
    • Width of Watercourse: 4 m
    • Method: Rip rap rock and native shrub planting
    • # of Trees or Shrubs Planted: 12 (roses and elder)
  • Other In-Stream Measures:
    • Thalweg development
    • Removal of 5+ major debris jams and several minor ones
    • Garbage cleanup and erosion control
    • Water quality testing and macroinvertebrate (CABIN) surveys
      • Biotic Index Score: 23 (Good water quality)
      • Species Observed: Caddisflies, Stoneflies, Dragonflies, Alderflies

Most Recent Black’s Brook News

  • Adopt a Stream 2024 Report

    Over summer 2024, SWEPS completed in-stream restoration on Bennery and Black Brooks, including five new digger logs, bank stabilization, and debris removal. Following major 2023 flooding, restoration crews also assessed fish passage impacts at Laurie and Annand Brooks. The season improved over 800m of stream habitat and 750m² of riparian zone, with support from volunteers,…

  • SWEPS Hosts Brook Cleanup Following Restoration Work

    SWEPS volunteers returned to Black’s Brook on July 31 for a post-restoration cleanup. Teams worked to improve flow over digger logs and remove debris from the brook and surrounding area.

  • Volunteers help SWEPS clean up Black’s Brook

    More than 25 volunteers joined SWEPS to clean up Black’s Brook near Lockview High. The team removed garbage from the brook and surrounding area, helping restore a healthier stream environment.

See more Black’s Brook posts

Future Work and Next Steps

  • Revisit the site annually for maintenance, particularly due to nearby student interference
  • Build a permanent deflector to discourage students from moving rocks that block fish passage
  • Clear new debris jams formed during seasonal floods
  • Consider adding interpretive signage about stream restoration and old-growth trees
  • Continue community engagement and annual clean-up events (e.g., 2023 event collected 10+ bags of trash)
  • Assess potential for old-growth forest mapping and habitat protection in surrounding areas

Black’s Brook Photos

[sweps_recent_photos category=blacks-brook]

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