DOCSLIB.ORG

Columbia Valley Environmental Resource Database Analysis Prepared for the Columbia Wetland Stewardship Partners

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Columbia Valley Environmental Resource Database Analysis Prepared for the Columbia Wetland Stewardship Partners Columbia Valley Environmental Resource Database Analysis Prepared for the Columbia Wetland Stewardship Partners Maggie Romuld, MSc RPBio Dr. Suzanne Bayley Acknowledgements Funding and in-kind contributions for this project were provided by the following organizations: Sitka Foundation Lush Foundation Columbia Basin Trust Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Columbia Valley Foundation Many of the Partner organizations provided in-kind contributions This report should be referenced as follows: Romuld, M. and S.E. Bayley. 2017. Columbia Valley Environmental Resource Database Analysis. Report prepared for the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners. Parson, BC. CWSP Resource Database Analysis: Draft 1 Executive Summary The Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partnership (CWSP) has identified a number of objectives to guide the work of the organization. The objectives include maintaining the functional processes that drive the Columbia Wetland system; all the present habitat elements in the system; and the entire range of historically present species in the wetlands and the river system. The CWSP has also stated that it is “important for the CWSP and agencies to have a knowledge of the natural range of variation of natural processes so that they can detect changes that may be affecting the ecosystem, especially those changes that can be influenced by management actions.” To fulfil those objectives, the CWSP must have access to the results of projects designed to expand knowledge of Columbia Wetland ecosystems, and must understand where there are knowledge gaps that could derail attempts to maintain or improve those systems. Therefore, in early 2017, CWSP initiated the creation of a resource database containing documents relevant to the headwater region of the Columbia River. This report forms the second half of the database project. It includes a brief overview of the information currently available in the CWSP database and a summary of the status of various wetland components, including species and habitats of interest, water resources, ecosystem processes and climate change. The discussion then turns to a summary of the current management and action plans related to the previously described components and the identification of knowledge gaps and opportunities. This analysis does not include a recommendation of specific projects; its sole intent is to help guide discussions of potential projects that Partners might undertake. To identify research and monitoring opportunities, the database was initially searched by broad keywords to break the large number of documents into manageable units and identify more- or less- relevant reports and research. Documents within the resulting sub-list of relevant reports were reviewed to create summaries of individual abiotic and biotic elements and identify knowledge gaps for key elements. While there are many topics of interest addressed within the database, not all topics can be considered key to addressing the stated objectives of the Partners. For example, some issues, such as a lack of consistent water monitoring, potential impacts of climate change, or those dealing with key habitats or species, were considered of more relevance than those of peripheral species, or concerns of limited geographical extent. Issues related to dams and their management were also considered outside the scope of this project. Numerous management plans, action plans, strategies and guidelines have been developed for components of the Columbia Wetlands ecosystem or include this region within their scope. While the data within some of these plans is not specific to the wetlands, many of them identify knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to improve the understanding, management and stewardship of the Columbia Wetlands. This information has been included within this report where appropriate and was used to highlight monitoring and research opportunities. CWSP Resource Database Analysis: Draft 2 Several recurring themes emerged through the evaluation of what is currently in the database, and what authors suggested is needed to better understand and manage the Columbia Wetlands. The following list (coarsely grouped, and not prioritized) briefly summarizes the most frequently mentioned and recognized knowledge gaps: Water quality data for the wetlands and Upper Columbia River Streamflow of the Upper Columbia River and the wetland water regime, including minimum flow requirements for wetland ecosystem maintenance Regional groundwater resources Implications of climate change to wetland ecosystem function Mapped riparian and wetland habitats Critical geomorphic and hydrologic processes that drive the presence of riparian habitat, and the causes of its loss Aquatic and terrestrial plants, and plants and plant communities at risk in the wetlands Status of cottonwood habitat in the wetlands Wetland-specific connectivity or habitat fragmentation Beaver and muskrat as agents of change Fire in the wetlands and its impact on wetland ecosystems Freshwater biodiversity Implications of the increase of kokanee in the system At-risk bird inventory, sensitive or critical habitat, and population status At-risk amphibian inventory, sensitive or critical habitat, and population status At-risk fish inventory, sensitive or critical habitat, and population status Game fish inventories, spawning data and abundance The seasonal use of wetland and riparian habitat by bears and other large mammals Identification and impact of both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species CWSP Resource Database Analysis: Draft 3 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 2 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 6 1.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.2 Approach ............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.3 Area of Interest ................................................................................................................................... 8 2.0 Overview of Database ............................................................................................................................. 9 2.1 Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 9 2.2 Summary: Broad Search by Keyword ................................................................................................ 12 3.0 Available Information and Status of Component ................................................................................. 14 3.1 Habitats and Processes ..................................................................................................................... 14 3.2 Plant Communities and Species of Interest ...................................................................................... 21 3.3 Hydrology .......................................................................................................................................... 23 3.4 Animal Species of Interest or Importance ........................................................................................ 32 3.5 Invasive Species ................................................................................................................................ 63 4.0 Mapping in the Wetlands: Available Resources and Sources ............................................................... 64 4.1 Database Resources .......................................................................................................................... 64 4.2 Web-based Mapping Resources ....................................................................................................... 66 5.0 Current Management and Action Plans ................................................................................................ 67 6.0 Knowledge Gaps and Opportunities Identified Within Reports ........................................................... 70 6.1 Reports .............................................................................................................................................. 70 7.0 Knowledge Gaps and Opportunities Identified in Over-arching Plans ................................................. 75 7.1 Over-arching Plans ............................................................................................................................ 75 8.0 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................... 80 9.0 Works Cited ........................................................................................................................................... 81 10.0 Appendices .......................................................................................................................................... 94 Appendix A: BC List Status ......................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Conservation of Hardwoods and Associated Wildlife in the Cbfwcp Area in Southeastern British Columbia
    THE CONSERVATION OF HARDWOODS AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE IN THE COLUMBIA BASIN CBFWCP AREA IN SOUTHEASTERN FISH & WILDLIFE BRITISH COLUMBIA COMPENSATION PROGRAM PREPARED BY Bob Jamieson, Everett Peterson, Merle Peterson, and Ian Parfitt FOR Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program May 2001 www.cbfishwildlife.org THE CONSERVATION OF HARDWOODS AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE IN THE CBFWCP AREA IN SOUTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA. Prepared for: THE COLUMBIA BASIN FISH AND WILDLIFE COMPENSATION PROGRAM 333 Victoria St., Nelson, B.C. V1L 4K3 By: Bob Jamieson BioQuest International Consulting Ltd. Everett Peterson and Merle Peterson Western Ecological Services Ltd. Ian Parfitt GIS Coordinator, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Note on the organization of this report: The appendices to this report are included on an attached CD-ROM. Maps showing the distribution of hardwoods (1:250,000 scale) in each Forest District are included as ADOBE pdf files. The hardwood data, in ARCINFO format, are available at the CBFWCP office in Nelson. Age class and cover categories by Forest District, Landscape unit and species are provided in Excel spreadsheets. Citation: Jamieson, B., E.B. Peterson, N.M. Peterson and I. Parfitt. 2001. The conservation of hardwoods and associated wildlife in the CBFWCP area in southeastern British Columbia. Prepared for: Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, Nelson, B.C. By: BioQuest International Consulting Ltd., Western Ecological Services Ltd. and I. Parfitt. 98p. Contacts: Bob Jamieson BioQuest International Consulting Ltd. Box 73, Ta Ta Creek, B.C. VOB 2HO Phone: 250-422-3322 E-mail: [email protected] Everett and Merle Peterson Western Ecological Services Ltd.
    [Show full text]
  • Canal Flats Is Half Way Between Cranbrook to Its South and Invermere to Its North
    CONTENTS Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Location ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Demographics ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 Total Population .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Population Projections .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Age Characteristics................................................................................................................................................ 4 Families & Households .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Family Characteristics ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Marital Status ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Mobility ....................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Cooper Family Come Down and Buried 64 Men in 50 Feet ( Henry Morley Cooper—1920) of Snow
    VALLEY HISTORY AND THE WINDERMERE VALLEY MUSEUM BOX 2315, INVERMERE, V0A IK0 342-9769 AUGUST 2005 Huber of Zurich Switzerland and Carl Sulzer of Winterthur , Switzerland. On reaching the top the two Swiss said, “Wonderful, three cheers for Switzer- land!” Harry Cooper said “Beautiful, where’s me bagpipes?” ( Mt. Sir Donald is 10,752 ft. high ) In 1910, while working on the Con- naught Tunnel in the Rogers Pass for the C.P.R., a big snow slide had come down and a crew of men were clearing it away. Mr. Cooper was sent to the cook –house to bring the hot lunch for the men. When he arrived back at the slide with the lunch, he found that another slide had The cooper family come down and buried 64 men in 50 feet ( Henry Morley Cooper—1920) of snow. ( by Elsie Ryter ) In 1911, Mr. Cooper bought a home- Harry Cooper was born on November stead in Moberly, B.C. From 1912 to 18, 1869 in Stanport, England. He was 12 1918 , Mr. Cooper had a pack horse/ years old when he left England by cattle guide outfit and during the summer boat to live with people in New York. packed mail and groceries from Donald , The people in New York did not arrive to B.C. To Tete Jaune Cache, B.C. through pick him up so he joined a cattle drive the valley where the McNaughton Lake that was coming to Canada. They simply is. This was a distance of over 200 miles took him along as a flunky.
    [Show full text]
  • THE EVOLUTION of RAILWAYS in the KOOTENAYS by '.• BON ALB
    THE EVOLUTION OF RAILWAYS IN THE KOOTENAYS by '.• BON ALB"; HOWARD MEYER' B.A. , Uhiyersity..of British Columbia, 1967 A THESIS .SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS, FOR THE DEGREE OF -MASTER OF ARTS in the Department , " of Geography We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA September, 1970 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the Head of my Department or by his representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial, gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of The University of British Columbia Vancouver 8. Canada ABSTRACT « Traditionally, international boundaries have been re• garded as barriers to the evolution of transportation networks. Numerous examples of the disruptive influence of borders on travel routes have been documented in the literature. Does such a pattern always occur? This thesis is concerned with a railnet which evolved in close proximity to an international boundary, but which for the most part appeared able to develop with little regard for the boundary as a barrier. This railnet is that of the Kootenay district of south• eastern British Columbia and the adjacent United States. An investigation is made of the major elements which best explain the nature of this network's evolution. They are discovered to include a rich natural resource endowment, rivalry between rail• way companies, and private and government decision makers, but not the international boundary.
    [Show full text]
  • BC SUMMER GAMES PARTICPANTS Wecommunicate RESPECTFULL
    Y BC SUMMER GAMES PARTICPANTS We communicate RESPECTFULL 2018 Nanaimo ▪ Officials: Lisa Balcombe - EGRITY T Nanaimo, Christina Demiris - Vancouver, Sharon Devana – Lake Cowichan, Robyn Guidon – Crofton, Nicola Iten – Anmore, We act with IN ▪ Jennifer Keith – Burnaby, Trish McKay – Vancouver, Anne-Marie North – Burnaby, Deborah Provencher – Nanaimo, Madeleine Ramsay – Merville, Huriye Sefayi – Surrey, Carol Stewart – Victoria, Annie Smith – Burnaby. VE programs I Kootenays (1) INCLUS Head Coach: Erin Fitchett Assistant Coach: Brooke Madore We offer ▪ Athletes: Jessica Cockburn, Kaitlyn Fitchett, Cadence Hergott, Carley Pattyn-Flander, CE Ashley Sonnichsen, Brooke Sonnichsen, Nicole Sonnichsen, N Thompson-Okanagan (2) Head Coach: Elizabeth Ignace Assistant Coach: Carly Helgason We strive We strive for EXCELLE Athletes: Karina Aujla, Maia Cesario, Kierra Fawcett, Rosina Fraser-Bowden, Madison ▪ Gillman, Kate Liebe, Norah Mallett, Isabelle Paradis. NITY U Fraser Valley (3) Head Coach: Madeleine Leblanc Athletes: Abby Yang connected as a COMM We are Suite 3016 – 3713 Kensington Avenue, Burnaby, BC, V5B 0A7 / Tel: (604) 333-3640 Email: [email protected] / Web: www.bcartisticswimming.ca Fraser River Delta (4) Head Coach: Melinda Markser Assistant Coach: Erin Williams Athletes: Nia Draganova, Madison Le, Naomi Madokoro, Zuleida Rodriguez, Elizabeth Tatarnikov, Daisy Vasquez, Kianna Vasquez, Emma West, Kate Zraly. Vancouver-Coastal (5) Head Coach: Alina Aref’yeva Assistant Coach: Seray, Sefayi Athletes: Sophia Alafriz, Rona Dizayee, Eleanor Lee, Alayna Michieli, Ivy Qin, Nyla Statton, Laura Volkamer, Zhang Yameng (Moe). Vancouver Island-Central Coast (6) Head Coach: Brenda Scott Assistant Coach: Samanth Lankmayr Athletes: Anna Akhurst, Maia Bell-McLenana, Avery Dix, Sydney Girling, Kiana Jepson, Pascha Nemlander, Zala Partlow, Sydney Waldie. Cariboo-North East (8) Head Coach: Nicole Barager & Assistant Coach: Lynn Barager Athletes: Camara Glack, Mya Knudsgaard, Sophia Morrow, Sevy Veeken.
    [Show full text]
  • CYMH Intake Clinic Contact Information
    CYMH Intake Clinic Contact Information Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, MCFD is committed to providing services to you wherever possible. We can meet you virtually, or by phone so that we can all follow the Provincial Health Officer's direction to ensure physical distancing. Please call the nearest MCFD office to receive information about the services available to you and your family. Region SDA Walk-In Clinic Name Clinic Address Clinic City Clinic Postal Code Clinic Hours Phone Number 1 - Interior SDA 11 - Kootenays CYMH Castlegar 124-845 Columbia Avenue Castlegar V1N 1H3 Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 250-365-4470 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:30 a.m. UNIT 201 -- 1212 2nd St N 1 - Interior SDA 11 - Kootenays CYMH Cranbrook Cranbrook V1C 4T6 – 12:00 p.m. 250-426-1514 1 - Interior SDA 11 - Kootenays CYMH Creston 224 10th Ave N Creston V0B 1G0 Tuesday 9:00am - 11:00am 250-428-3229 1 - Interior SDA 11 - Kootenays CYMH Fernie 341 2nd Ave Fernie V0B 1M0 Wednesday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 250-423-5311 1 - Interior SDA 11 - Kootenays CYMH Golden 1104 9th St S Golden V0A 1H0 Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 250-344-7773 1 - Interior SDA 11 - Kootenays CYMH Grand Forks 486B 72nd Avenue Grand Forks V0H 1H0 Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 250-442-4378 1 - Interior SDA 11 - Kootenays CYMH Invermere 625 4 St Invermere Invermere V0A 1K0 Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 250-342-4367 CYMH Nakusp (Service First and Third Tuesday 1:00 p.m.
    [Show full text]
  • The Selkirk Mountains : a Guide for Mountain Climbers and Pilgrims
    J Presentee) to ^be Xibrar^ of tbe xaniversit^ of Toronto bs Her"bert B. Sampson, K,C, Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Toronto http://www.archive.org/details/selkirkmountainsOOwhee THE Selkirk Mountains A Guide for Mountain Climbers and Pilgrims Information by A. O. WHEELER, F.R.G.S., A.C.C., A.C., A.A.C. vo A- Stovel Company, Engravers, Lithographers and Printers, Winnipeg, Man. Arthur O. Wheeler, First President of Alpine Club — CONTENTS Foreword—A. 0. Wlieeler Page 1 One Word More—Elizabeth Parker 2 The Snowy Selkirks—Elizabeth Parker 3-5 CHAPTER I. The Rocky Mountain System—The Selkirks—Early Explorers Later Histor}'—The Railway—Discovery of Rogers Pass—An Alpine Club—Members of British Association Visit the Selkirks, (1884) —Result of Completion of Railway—Government Surveys (1886) —First Scientific Observations of Illecillewaet Glacier Topographical Survey by William Spotswood Green—The Alpine Club, England, and the Swiss Alpine Club—The Appalachian Mountain Club—Triangulation of Railway Belt—Subsequent Mountaineering Pages 6-32 CHAPTER n. Peaks, Passes and Valleys Reached from Glacier—Glacier Park Swiss Guides—Glacier House—Outfits and Ponies—Places and Peaks of Interest Alphabetically Arranged 33-104 CHAPTER m. The Caves of Cheops (Xakimu Caves) —the Valley of the Caves The Approach to the Caves—Formation and Structure—Descrip- tion of Caves—The Mill Bridge Series—The Gorge Series—The Judgment Hall 106-117 CHAPTER IV. •Golden and the Country of the Upper Columbia—Along the Columbia River between Golden and Beavermouth are Several Points of Interest—the Upper Columbia—Travel by Waterway on the Upper Columbia 119-135 CHAPTER V.
    [Show full text]
  • Dams and Hydroelectricity in the Columbia
    COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN: DAMS AND HYDROELECTRICITY The power of falling water can be converted to hydroelectricity A Powerful River Major mountain ranges and large volumes of river flows into the Pacific—make the Columbia precipitation are the foundation for the Columbia one of the most powerful rivers in North America. River Basin. The large volumes of annual runoff, The entire Columbia River on both sides of combined with changes in elevation—from the the border is one of the most hydroelectrically river’s headwaters at Canal Flats in BC’s Rocky developed river systems in the world, with more Mountain Trench, to Astoria, Oregon, where the than 470 dams on the main stem and tributaries. Two Countries: One River Changing Water Levels Most dams on the Columbia River system were built between Deciding how to release and store water in the Canadian the 1940s and 1980s. They are part of a coordinated water Columbia River system is a complex process. Decision-makers management system guided by the 1964 Columbia River Treaty must balance obligations under the CRT (flood control and (CRT) between Canada and the United States. The CRT: power generation) with regional and provincial concerns such as ecosystems, recreation and cultural values. 1. coordinates flood control 2. optimizes hydroelectricity generation on both sides of the STORING AND RELEASING WATER border. The ability to store water in reservoirs behind dams means water can be released when it’s needed for fisheries, flood control, hydroelectricity, irrigation, recreation and transportation. Managing the River Releasing water to meet these needs influences water levels throughout the year and explains why water levels The Columbia River system includes creeks, glaciers, lakes, change frequently.
    [Show full text]
  • Membership Form
    Membership Form HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE…. Your membership with CMHA CMHA branches in BC ECOME A EMBER $20 Kootenays includes: B M • Cariboo Chilcotin (Williams Lake) $5 • Cowichan Valley (Duncan) • A voice in the future direction of CMHA • Kamloops $50 Organization* through the opportunity to run for and elect • Kelowna the governing board and attend the Annual • Kootenays (Cranbrook) General Meeting • Mid-Island (Nanaimo) • North and West Vancouver • A subscription to CMHA BC’s free monthly • Port Alberni email newsletter, Mind Matters • Prince George * Memberships expire March 31 2021. • A free subscription to the award-winning • Shuswap-Revelstoke (Salmon Arm) New, non-subsidized memberships that begin quarterly Visions Journal within BC • South Cariboo (100 Mile House) between September 1 and March 31 need • South Okanagan Similkameen (Penticton) only pay half of the regular membership fee. (a $25 value) • Vancouver–Fraser Date • Vernon I would like information on volunteering For contacts and more information, visit our Mr. Ms. Mrs. Dr. I would like information on recognizing website at www.cmha.bc.ca CMHA Kootenays in my will Name In addition to my membership, Address I would like to donate $ City I would like to pay by: Prov. Postal Code _ Cash Cheque Phone ( ) - 100-1000 21st Ave N Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5L9 Mentally healthy people Email Please make cheques payable to phone: 250.426.5222 in a healthy society Canadian Mental Health Association for fax: 250.426.2134 Please do not send mail, including Visions the Kootenays email: [email protected] magazine, unless required by our bylaws www.kootenays.cmha.bc.ca Please do not send e-mail unless required by our bylaws Thank you for your membership as it Charitable registration 13766 1328 RR0001 I am under the age of 19, or an employee will assist in obtaining grants and of the CMHA Kootenays and am a non- additional funding to support our local 2020 voting member programming.
    [Show full text]
  • Kootenay Powder Highway Ski
    2 Grande 38 45 Cache 45 37 32 15 22 Ft Saskatewan 36 43 40 16 St Albert 16 Edson Sherwood Park Spruce Vegreville Vermilion Grove 16 22 Edmonton 14 Hinton Devon Leduc Tofield Drayton 14 39 21 Valley 2 20 Camrose 26 13 13 Wetaskiwin 16 Jasper 13 Wainwright 2A 56 Jasper 53 Ponoka 53 93 National 22 Park 21 Lacombe 12 36 Sylvan 11 Nordegg Stettler Lake Rocky 11 Red Deer 12 Columbia Icefield Mountain House 11 Cline River 22 42 54 54 21 Avola Jasper Red Deer 145 km 90 mi Revelstoke to 229 km 142 mi Rocky Mountain House Edmonton 294 km 182 mi Mica in the Rockies Driving84 km 52 Times mi Quick Reference 140 km 87 mi 584 27 27 Appsolutely Golden to Revelstoke ......................... Sundre2 hr Calgary to Golden ............................Olds 3 hr Resorts Fairmont Hot Springs Resort ... FairmontHotSprings.com Clearwater *Revelstoke to Rossland ................ 4 hr, 15 min Calgary to Fernie ...................... 3 hr, 30 min Three Hills Hanna KOOTENAY *Revelstoke to Nelson .................. 3 hr, 45 min Lethbridge to Fernie ................... .2 hr, 30 min Fernie Alpine Resort .................. SkiFernie56.com 5 all you need! Nelson to Rossland .................... .1 hr, 15 min Kamloops to Revelstoke ................ .2 hr, 40 min Kicking Horse Mtn Resort ..... KickingHorseResort45 km 28 mi .com9 Didsbury 27 24 Nelson to Cranbrook .......................... 3 hr Kelowna to Revelstoke ................. .2 hr, 50 min Kimberley Alpine Resort ............ SkiKimberley.com i m C Rossland to Cranbrook ................. .3 hr, 10 min Kelowna to Rossland .......................... 4 hr Panorama Mountain Village ......... SkiPanorama .com K 3 1 i n b A m 24 k a m Cranbrook to Fernie ...................
    [Show full text]
  • Columbia Lake Quick Fact Sheet
    COLUMBIA LAKE QUICK REFERENCE SHEET JUST A FEW AMAZING THINGS ABOUT OUR AMAZING LAKE! . Maximum length – 13.5 km (8.4 mi) . Maximum width – 2 km (1.2 mi) . Typical depth – 15 ft . Average July water temperature – 18 C – making it the largest warm water lake in East Kootenay . Surface Elevation – 808m (2,650 ft) .Area – 6,815 acres (2,758 hectares) . Freezing – last year, it was observed the lake froze on December 7, 2016 and thawed on March 29, 2017. Columbia Lake is fed by several small tributaries. East side tributaries include Warspite and Lansdown Creeks. West Side tributiaries include Dutch, Hardie, Marion and Sun Creeks. Columbia Lake also gets a considerable amount of water at the south end where water from the Kootenay river enters the lake as groundwater. The water balance of Columbia Lake is still not fully understood. The Columbia Lake Stewardship Society continues to do research in this area. Columbia Lake got its name from the Columbia River. The river was so named by American sea captain Robert Gray who navigated his privately owned ship The Columbia Rediviva through its waters in May 1792 trading fur pelts. Columbia Lake is the source of the mighty Columbia River, the largest river in the Pacific Northwest of North America. The Columbia River flows north from the lake while the neighbouring Kootenay flows south. For approximately 100 km (60 mi) the Columbia River and the Kootenay River run parallel and when they reach Canal Flats, the two rivers are less than 2 km (1.2 mi) apart. Historically the Baillie- Grohman Canal connected the two bodies of water to facilitate the navigation of steamboats (although only three trips were ever made through it).
    [Show full text]
  • Bennett's Dam Projects – Power to the Lower Mainland
    CHAPTER 7 – Bennett's Dam Projects – Power to the Lower Mainland DURING THE 1960s British Columbia undertook what remains the greatest building project in its history, dwarfing previous undertakings such as the Kitimat Smelter and the Trans Mountain Pipeline. The Portage Mountain (now W.A.C. Bennett) dam on the Peace River and the Mica Creek dam on the Columbia River were each in their own right what are now called “world class” projects, but building them at the same time made them among the most ambitious construction projects in history. When it was officially opened in 1968 the Portage Mountain Dam was the largest dam in the western world: only the Soviet Union’s Bratsk hydro station dam in Siberia was larger. Mica Creek, when its dam was completed in 1973, was the site of the largest earth-filled dam anywhere in the world. The dam projects were a product of Premier W.A.C. Bennett’s determination to develop British Columbia’s natural resources as quickly as possible. As noted in Chapter 3, Bennett believed that it was his government’s job to build the infrastructure which would make it possible for private corporations to develop the province’s natural resources. But while he began building highways almost from the moment he came to power, it was not until the 1960s that he was presented with an opportunity to undertake the massive, and massively expensive, hydro-electric projects of which he dreamed. BENNETT’S TWO RIVERS POLICY One obvious place to build the kind of dams Bennett wanted was in the Kootenays, on the Canadian side of the Columbia River.
    [Show full text]