DOCSLIB.ORG

Overview of Drought Conditions in the Nicola

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Overview of Drought Conditions in the Nicola Overview of Drought Conditions in the Nicola Rich McCleary FLRNORD Thompson Okanagan Regional Drought Response Team “We have different names for the animals and fish.” Coldwater Band Elders August 2019 Common Name Syilx/Okanagan Nlaka'pamux / Drought Nation Scw’exmx Tribal Comments Council Chinook Salmon ntitiyx or ntytyix Completed (spring run) migration to above Kingsvale Chinook Salmon sk’lwist Successful (summer or fall migration into run) Nicola Coho Salmon kisúʔ Migration starting Steelhead qwəyqwəyʕaćaʔ Irrigation order to protect juvenile Rainbow trout xwuminaʔ Drought Overview General Pattern for Nicola River at Spences Bridge • Low Snowpack • Early freshet • Dry June • Wet July • Dry August • Wet September Coldwater Pattern • Low snowpack • Early freshet • Dry June • Normal July • Dry August • Wet September • Voluntary irrigation shut down and maximum restrictions for City of Merritt for most of August Rich McCleary (FLNRORD), Hyrum Peterson (LNIB), and Kristal Poirier (LNIB) Mamit Lake Dam Operations and Guichon Creek Flows Key Points • Storage management is an essential climate change and drought adaptation. • Successful management requires: 1. A plan 2. Commitments from dam owner for gate changes (1/2 time tech) 3. Properly functioning infrastructure (dam, spillway, gates) 4. Instrumentation on reservoir level, outputs and downstream water levels 5. Tools to perform calculations (0.25 time tech) 6. Functioning relationships 7. Science to inform the best use of surplus water Problem Statement • In drought 2015, a review of all storage in Nicola identified Mamit Lake as potential to provide relief to low flows in Guichon Creek and in the Nicola River downstream of the confluence. • Since 2015, FLRNORD and LNIB have been working to “develop” and “put into practice” the procedures to optimize the benefits from the water stored in Mamit Lake reservoir. • Coldwater River 917 km2 • Nicola River 7,100 km2 • Guichon Creek 1,230 km2 (17% of total area of Nicola watershed) Operating Constraints A. June - Sept to meet downstream EFNs and water supply needs. B. 0.7 m of storage on Aug. 15 for late summer chinook migration. C. Dam safety: after floods of 2017 and 2018: • reservoir needs to be drawn down to minimal levels on Apr. 1 (953.7 m). • Limited refill allowed during snow-melt freshet (955.0 m). • Refill below maximum supply level allowed after snow-melt freshet (955.8 m) D. Rae Creek Ranch: lake to be drawn down by Aug 1 (955.25 m) Landowners Dennis and Gord Garthwaite from Rae Creek Ranch agreed to some flexibility on existing legal agreement on lake level. Dam Operations for Fish and Agriculture are Labour Intensive Gate Changes per Month 19 18 14 12 9 8 8 MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER Late August Guichon Creek was green due to blue- green algae bloom in Mamit Lake Nicola River at Spences Bridge for August 2019 Conclusion: Mamit Lake Dam management helped to prevent poor conditions for in- migration Threshold for poor in-migration flows for Chinook 2020 Work Plan: • Formalize operating procedures • Be ready to adapt to different dam safety constraints • Develop user friendly reservoir balance tool • Install Lower Guichon remote station during low flow season • Learn more about optimizing flows and temperatures • Improve water use efficiency (revisit ditches) • Continue to communicate the importance of storage and related infrastructure Thanks to: Lower Nicola Indian Band and Rae Creek Ranch.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Final Witness Statement of Bernadette Manuel May 27, 2015 (00251209
    IN THE MATTER OF NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD Hearing Order OH-001-2014 Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC Application for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project WITNESS STATEMENT OF BERNADETTE WANDA MANUEL Introduction 1. My name is Bernadette Wanda Manuel, and I am a member of the Upper Nicola Band (“Upper Nicola”). 2. I was born and raised in Nicola Valley, at Spaxomin. I went to school here, and have spent the majority of my life here or in other parts of Syilx Territory. My father was the late Herb Manuel, from Spaxomin, and my mother was the late Dorothy Saddleman, from Coldwater. My paternal grandparents were Francis Saddleman, from Quilchena and Mary Jane Captain, from Coldwater. My maternal grandparents were Daniel Manuel from Spaxomin and Susan Bent, from Shulus. I also have relatives from Boston Bar. I have two brothers and one sister, and I am the third child of Herb and Dorothy Manuel. 3. My Dad could speak numerous interior languages including St’at’imc, Syilx, Nlaka’pamux, and Secwepemc. He also knew and understood the Chinook language, the trade language. My father was very knowledgeable with respect to our culture and teachings, and his knowledge was sought by others. I grew up with the Syilx culture and teachings, with my father being one of my primary teachers, along with my older brother, Fabian Manuel. 4. I currently work for the Upper Nicola Band as the Cultural Heritage Project Manager. Part of my job is to ensure proponents/consultants comply with Upper Nicola laws, policies and protocols with respect to our cultural heritage, archaeological sites and environmental matters.
    [Show full text]
  • West Kelowna Transmission Project
    Welcome to the BC Hydro open house West Kelowna Transmission Project We’re planning for a new, secondary transmission line delivering clean, reliable power to the communities of West Kelowna and Peachland. The new transmission line will strengthen and reinforce the existing transmission network. We’re here to share the most recent project information and to gather your comments on what we know so far. We hope you’ll share your local knowledge of the project study area with us. WEST KELOWNA TRANSMISSION PROJECT OPEN HOUSE BCH18-305 Why it’s important Approximately 22,000 customers are served by the Westbank Substation and a single 138 kilovolt transmission line. We’ve prioritized the West Kelowna area as needing a redundant supply of power because of: ○ The large number of customers served by a single transmission line. ○ The challenge of restoring power on the existing transmission line resulting from its 80 kilometre length, remote location and rough terrain. ○ The risk of destructive forces like forest fires and landslides. In the meantime, we’ll continue to monitor and manage any risks to the existing transmission line. What’s redundant supply? Redundant supply means there is more than one source (for example, a transmission Iine) providing power to the community or “back-up” power. That way, if one source is taken out of service, the other can still supply the community with electricity. WEST KELOWNA TRANSMISSION PROJECT OPEN HOUSE BCH18-305 Our electricity system Generation Transmission Substations Distribution Electricity is generated Electricity is Voltage is reduced at Low voltage by BC Hydro and moved from where substations to provide electricity is provided independent power it’s produced to power suitable for use in to neighbourhoods producers.
    [Show full text]
  • LNIB Community Profile
    Community Profile December 2015 Welcome! He’n’-le ! (Greetings!), On behalf of the Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB), I welcome you to our LNIB Community Profile. The purpose of the profile is to provide you with some essential information about LNIB. The profile highlights various topics, including an overview of who we are, our history, the programs that we deliver, the businesses that we are engaged with, our ancestral lands and Indian reserves, our administration, and our leadership and governance. LNIB is a vibrant community engaged in improving our lives, solidly grounded on the beliefs, traditions, and aspirations of our members. We are proud of who we are and what we have achieved, and we want to share our story with you. I hope that you will find the reading informative and enjoyable, and I thank you for the for the interest that you showed in learning more about us. Kwukwscmx, Humel, (Thank You!) Chief Aaron Sam Lower Nicola Indian Band 2 Vision Statement We, the people of the Lower Nicola Indian Band, commit ourselves to being a peaceful prosperous and secure community made up of healthy individuals rooted in the Nlaka’pamux culture, respecting ourselves, each other, the environment and all of Creation. We will honour and protect our children, the sacred gifts from the Creator, and our elders, the wisdom keepers. Together as one, we will take responsibility to regain control of our own destiny and rebuild our relationships with other people on a firm footing of respect and justice. We will possess our traditional territories and defend our hereditary and Aboriginal rights as Nlaka’pamux people, and promote the unity and strength of the Nlaka’pamux Nation as a whole.
    [Show full text]
  • Nicola River Watershed – Water Use Management Plan Instream Flow Needs for Fish
    Nicola River Watershed – Water Use Management Plan Instream Flow Needs for Fish prepared by: Todd Hatfield Solander Ecological Research Victoria BC for: Allan Kenney Pacific Salmon Foundation Vancouver BC October 30, 2006 1. BACKGROUND Instream flows in the Nicola River and its major tributaries have been consistently identified as a substantial environmental concern. The watershed has numerous important fish stocks, and flows are often well below optimal for rearing and spawning, particularly during the summer and fall period. Water is extracted from the mainstem and its tributaries for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use and during low flow periods there appears to be a clear trade-off between these uses and instream environmental benefits. A public decision-making process has been initiated to develop a Water Use Management Plan (WUMP), with an aim to balance water use and instream flow needs. The purpose of this report is to summarize some of the existing information on instream flows and to provide recommendations for further work with respect to understanding and resolving fish-flow issues. 2. STREAMFLOW DATA Water Survey of Canada (WSC) has several gauges in the watershed, with partial records dating back more than 90 years. In all cases, continuous year-round records are less than 50 years old, and in many cases considerably less. The primary gauges in the watershed, as available on the WSC Hydat database, are listed in Table 1. Table 1. Water Survey of Canada gauging stations in the Nicola River watershed. Note: the last
    [Show full text]
  • Robert Henry Lee Collection 1964.108, 0.2306, 0.2729, 0.2730, 0.2731, 0.2931, 0.3097, 0.3689
    Kamloops Museum & Archives Robert Henry Lee collection 1964.108, 0.2306, 0.2729, 0.2730, 0.2731, 0.2931, 0.3097, 0.3689 Compiled by Jaimie Fedorak and Heather Adams, December 2018 Kamloops Museum & Archives 2018 KAMLOOPS MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES Robert Henry Lee collection 1964.108, etc. 1869-1966 Textual, Cartographic, Technical 1.5 metres Drawing, Architectural Drawing Title: Robert Henry Lee collection Dates of Creation: 1869-1966 Physical Description: 113 cm of textual records, 445 maps, ca. 3 cm of technical drawings, and 42 architectural drawings Biographical Sketch: Robert Henry Lee was born in Virginia in 1859, and moved with his family to Portsmouth Ohio at a young age. Lee joined a railway survey party at the age of 16 after the death of his parents and by the age of 19 was leading surveys with several railway companies in the United Stated. In 1879, Lee became a deputy civil engineer in Leadville, Colorado. In 1881, he began working for the Northern Pacific Railway and worked on branches of the North Pacific and Union Pacific railways throughout the Pacific Northwest. Lee came to Kamloops in 1884 and opened an office as a provincial land surveyor and engineer and, in the following year, began advertising his services as an architect. Lee was listed in the provincial directories as an architect until 1905 and designed a number of buildings in Kamloops, including the former gaol and courthouse, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and a former Roman Catholic Church, and the Bank of British Columbia building formerly located at the corner of 1st Avenue and Victoria Street.
    [Show full text]
  • Response of Juvenile Steelhead and Chinook to Drought in the Nicola Watershed
    Response of Juvenile Steelhead and Chinook to Drought in the Nicola Watershed Prepared for BC Conservation Foundation And British Columbia Ministry of Natural Resource Operations Fish and Wildlife Branch By Jody Schick1 Josh Korman Patrick Little Rich McCleary August, 2016 1Box 524, 529 Gower Point Rd, Gibsons BC V0N 1V0, [email protected] i Executive Summary There is a long history of water-related conflicts in the Nicola River watershed. The demand for surface water withdrawals – primarily for irrigation – intensifies during summer periods with low precipitation and high temperatures, which can coincide with the lowest stream flows. Maintaining adequate flows for fish while allowing surface water withdrawals has at times not been possible. During the summer of 2015, the Nicola Basin experienced severe drought conditions following a winter with record low snowpack and low precipitation and high temperatures in spring and summer. Discharge in the Coldwater River fell below the Theoretical Critical Level (TCL) for juvenile salmonids triggering a Fish Protection Order which limited or banned surface water withdrawals for irrigation starting July 31st and continued until September 18th, 2015. The objective of this study is to look at a longer time series of juvenile abundance data for the Nicola system and examine to what extent variation in annual summer drought intensity, measured by discharge and/or temperature, explains the annual trend in juvenile Steelhead and Chinook abundance given the influence of stock size (brood spawners). We compared predicted abundance of juvenile Steelhead Trout and Chinook Salmon based on stock-recruitment models with and without including a single covariate representing either summer drought or winter flow conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Steelhead Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss
    Technical Summaries and Supporting Information for Emergency Assessments Steelhead Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Thompson River and Chilcotin River populations) John Neilson, Co-chair, Marine Fishes Subcommittee, COSEWIC Eric Taylor, Chair, COSEWIC February 2018 ASSESSMENT SUMMARY Assessment Summary – February 2018 Common name Steelhead Trout (Thompson River population) Scientific name Oncorhynchus mykiss Status Endangered Reason for designation This wildlife species faces a number of threats, including declining habitat quality both in marine and freshwater environments, and bycatch mortality from Pacific salmon fisheries. The number of spawning fish was variable with little trend prior to 2000. Since then, the population has declined dramatically (79%) over the last three generations and it is now the lowest on record. The 177 mature fish observed in the most recent survey are only about 9.5% of the pre-2000 mean. If the current rate of decline persists for another three generations, the number of spawning fish will decline to 37, which is 2.0% of the pre-2000 abundance. Occurrence British Columbia, Pacific Ocean Status history Designated Endangered in an emergency assessment conducted on January 10, 2018. Assessment Summary – February 2018 Common name Steelhead Trout (Chilcotin River population) Scientific name Oncorhynchus mykiss Status Endangered Reason for designation This wildlife species faces a number of threats, including declining habitat quality both in marine and freshwater environments, and bycatch mortality from Pacific salmon fisheries. The population has declined dramatically (81%) over the last three generations and it is now the lowest on record. The number of spawning fish was high and variable with little trend prior to 2000. The 58 mature fish observed in the most recent survey are only 5% of the pre-2000 mean.
    [Show full text]
  • TMX Consultation Reference: Lower Nicola Indian Band
    Appendix B.11 – Lower Nicola Indian Band I - Background Information Lower Nicola Indian Band (Lower Nicola) is part of the Nlaka’pamux (pronounced “Ing-khla-kap-muh”) Nation, whose asserted traditional territory encompasses part of south central British Columbia (BC) from the northern United States to north of Kamloops. Lower Nicola’s asserted traditional territory is in the valley of the Lower Nicola River. Lower Nicola has 7,128 hectares of reserve land, spread out over 10 reserves. As of June 2016, Lower Nicola had a registered population of 1,253 (504 members are living on Lower Nicola’s reserves, 52 are living on other reserves, and 694 are living off-reserve). Lower Nicola members historically spoke the Nlaka’pamux language. Today, there are a small and growing number of Nlaka’pamux speakers and the community is working to revitalize its language. Lower Nicola is a party to the Nlaka’pamux Nation protective Writ of Summons, which was filed in the BC Supreme Court on December 10, 2003. The Writ also includes Ashcroft Indian Band, Boothroyd Indian Band, Boston Bar First Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, Cook’s Ferry Indian Band, Kanaka Bar Indian Band, Lytton First Nation, Nicomen Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Oregon Jack Creek Indian Band, Shackan First Nation, Siska Indian Band, Skuppah Indian Band, and Spuzzum First Nation. Lower Nicola’s filings with the National Energy Board (NEB) state that their people have long relied on hunting and fishing for sustenance and for cultural fulfillment and that they have and continue to hunt moose, elk, and deer throughout their territory.
    [Show full text]
  • Opportunities in British Columbia
    With the Compliments of The Board of Trade Enderby,JJ Okanagan Valley, British Columbia See illustration page 46, and description of Enderby and sur- rounding district on pages 43 and 24. Inttislj (Enlumhra (»tlj Idoral WitftxtnttB) 1011 ii Extracts from Heaton's Annual Heaton's Agency, Toronto Copyright by Ernest Heaton Toronto,a910 =GJ EXTRACTS FROM HEATON'S ANNUAL which contains similar information covering every Province in the Dominion, with Customs Tariff, etc., etc. Price, cloth bound, 5/-. Copies can be obtained from Heaton's Agency, Toronto, and all leading booksellers in Canada, Great Britain and the United States. London Agents, Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Ltd. OPPORTUNITIES IN CANADA Abbreviated Edition of Heaton's Annual with illustrations, can be purchased at The Times Book Club, London, and the bookstalls of W. H. Smith & Sons. Price 1/-. =D To secure Special Attention mention Heaton's Annual when writing to Local References 5 £ Opportunities in British Columbia Agriculture APPLES. In 1909, British Columbia won 7 gold medals, 7 silver gilt medals, 7 silver medals, and 1 award of merit, at London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, — - Bath, Harwich, Manchester, Aberdeen and Liverpool, and other exhibitions in Great Britain, and thirteen first prizes out of fourteen entries at Spokane, Washington, in competition with the principal apple-growing districts in the United States. Markets—local, Alberta, Saskatche- wan, Manitoba, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia. Write to Department of Agriculture, Victoria, for Bulletin No. 20, giving varieties of trees suitable for different localities. APPLE ORCHARD, COST OF. In the case of unirri- gated land the cost would be approximately: 20 acres at $200 per acre, $4,000; fencing, $250; preparing land (ploughing and harrowing), $150; trees (yearlings), 80 J per acre at 15c.
    [Show full text]
  • NICOLA RIVER Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping
    NICOLA RIVER Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping and Aquatic Habitat Index Prepared By: Ecoscape Environmental Consultants Ltd. Prepared for: Fraser Basin Council on Behalf of Habitat Stewardship Program Thompson-Nicola Regional District City of Merritt Lower Nicola Indian Band Nooaitch Indian Band Teck – Highland Valley Copper April 2017 NICOLA RIVER Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping and Aquatic Habitat Index Prepared For: FRASER BASIN COUNCIL On Behalf of: Habitat stewardship program, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, City of Merritt, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, and Teck Highland Valley Copper Prepared By: ECOSCAPE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS LTD. # 102 - 450 Neave Court Kelowna, BC V1V 2M2 April 2017 Ecoscape File: 16-1897 102 – 450 Neave Ct. Kelowna BC V1V 2M2 Tel: 250.491.7337 Fax: 250.491.7772 www.ecoscapeltd.com 16-1897 April 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project would not have been realized without the assistance and contribution from the following individuals and organizations: Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada – for their support and expertise in development of the RIM methodology and Aquatic Habitat Index as it was first developed for the Lower Shuswap River project and carried forward to the Nicola River project. Support for this project was provided by: Fraser Basin Council The Habitat Stewardship Program The Nooaitch Indian Band The Thomson-Nicola Regional District The Lower Nicola Indian Band The City of Merritt Teck – Highland Valley Copper Field Inventory Crew: Kyle Hawes, Ecoscape Environmental
    [Show full text]
  • Culturally Modified Tree (CMT) Management in Nlaka'pamux Territory: Shaping First Nations Participation Through Consultation
    Culturally Modified Tree (CMT) Management in Nlaka'pamux Territory: Shaping First Nations Participation through Consultation by Pamela A. Perreault B.Sc. (Hons), University of Waterloo, 1996 A THESIS SUMBITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER' OF SCIENCE in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES THE FACULTY OF FORESTRY Department of Forest Resources Management We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA April 2002 UBC © Pamela A. Perreault, 2002 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 or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada Date (\p\\'2Jo]i 2002- ABSTRACT First Nations people have collected life-sustaining materials provided by the forests of British Columbia since time immemorial. In particular, evidence of collection activities from cedar ()is found in the form of culturally modified trees (CMTs). Today, CMTs are considered archaeological resources because of their value as visible indicators of past forest use. Therefore, under provincial legislation (British Columbia Heritage Conservation Act, and the Forest Practices Code Act), they are managed during forest development planning. The value of CMTs extends beyond their contribution to the archaeological record, however, to include: a) legal evidence of Aboriginal rights and title and b) symbols of cultural practices centered around the respect for, and understanding of, people's relationship with nature.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecosystems of British Columbia
    Special Report Series 6 ECOSYSTEMS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FEBRUARY 1991 BC Ministry of Forests ISSN 0843-6452 Ecosystems of British Columbia Compiled and Edited by Del Meidinger 1 and Jim Pojar 2 1 Research Branch 2 Forest Sciences Section B.C. Ministry of Forests B.C. Ministry of Forests 31 Bastion Square Bag 5000 Victoria, B.C. V8W 3E7 Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 February 1991 BC Ministry of Forests Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Main entry under title: Ecosystems of British Columbia (Special report series, ISSN 0843-6452 ; no. 6) Includes bibliographical references: p. ISBN 0-7718-8997-6 1. Forest ecology - British Columbia. 2. Bio- climatology - British Columbia. 3. Biogeography - British Columbia. I. Meidinger, Dellis Vern, 1953- . II. Pojar, Jim, 1948- . III. British Columbia. Ministry of Forests. IV. Series: Special report series (British Columbia. Ministry of Forests) ; no. 6. QK938.F6.E26 1991 581.5'2642'09711 C91-092061-3 1991 Province of British Columbia Published by the Research Branch Ministry of Forests 31 Bastion Square Victoria, B.C. V8W 3E7 Copies of this and other Ministry of Forests titles are available from Crown Publications Inc., 546 Yates Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 1K8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Numerous individuals contributed to this report, including not only the authors of the separate sections (see ``List of Authors and Af®liations''), but also their associates who have helped over several years in the research on which the report is based. All the authors are or were employed in the B.C. Ministry of Forests research program or the B.C. Ministry of Environment Wildlife Branch.
    [Show full text]