Foreshore Inventory and Mapping & Aquatic Habitat Index for Mabel Lake and the Lower ShuswapRiver Presented By: Jason Schleppe, M.Sc., R.P.Bio.R.P.Bio. * note the AHI results presented in this presentation are Draft The Process How was this started? In 2009, a process was initiated to complete inventory and mapping of Mabel Lake and the Lower Shuswap River from Mabel Lake to Mara Lake. Initiated a process to compile information on the current condition of the foreshore on Mabel Lake and the banks of the Lower Shuswap River (LSR) . Hired Ecoscape Envirooetanmental Consultants to complete the study The Process Who are the partners in this study? Project funding/in-kind partners included: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Community Mapping Network, City of Enderby, Regional District North Okanagan The Process Why was it developed? To inventory and document the current state of the foreshore for the entire Okanagan Lake as a whole Inform future policy development Develop a baseline of information to guide planning and land use decisions Enable a common understanding of sensitive areas of Mabel Lake Supply an accurate GIS data base that is easy to use Allow for monitoring of management objectives Provide a framework to integrate information with upland planning Shoreline Management Comprehensive Three (3) Step Process S1Step 1 • Foreshore Inventory and Mapping (FIM) – Provides the background information regarding the shoreline. Step 2 • Aquatic Habitat Index (AHI) – Provides an environmental sensitivity analysis of the shoreline, using existing biological data (e.g., shore spawning locations) and the FIM Database (biophysical parameters and modifications) Step 3 • Shoreline Management Guidelines – A comprehensive look at types of deve lopmen t an d leve l o f r is k assoc ia te d w ith them. The information collected from these three steps helps facilitate an integrated, multi level approach to shoreline management. Mabel Lake: FIM and AHI Comprehensive Spatial Inventory LSR: LRIM and AHI Comprehensive Spatial Inventory Biophysical Conditions Mabel Lake Lower Shuswap River (LSR) Mabel Lake Other Wetland Stream Mouth hore Type hore Type S Sand Beach Gravel Beach Rocky Shore Cliff / Bluff 0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 Natural Disturbed Shore Length (m) Shoreline Modifications Mabel Lake LSR 1. Substrate modification along 9% of the 1. Erosion occurred along 21% of LB / shoreline 16% of RB ~ each bank had between 2. 107 Retaining walls covering 3% of the 4% - 5% extreme erosion shoreline 2. 89 Docks , 11 boat launches 3. 152 Docks ((ydensity of ~11.95/km in 3. 2 Marinas with over 6 boat slips developed areas) 4. 10 Concrete Boat Launches 5. 4 Marinas with over 6 boat slips 6. 90 Groynes or ~12. 5 / km in developed areas Land Use Mabel Lake LSR Mabel Lake Urban Park Single Family Rural Recreation Use Type Use dd Park Lan Natural Area Forestry Commercial 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 Natural Disturbed Shorelength (m) Sensitivity of Mabel Lake / LSR How sensitive is Mabel Lake LSR Very Low, River Channel (Centerline) AHI 3396.4, 4% Very High, 12821.1, 16% Low, 9% 27977.5, 34% High, 16294. 5, 18% 20% Low Moderate, 53% Moderate 21573.6, 26% High 21% Very High Very High High Moderate Low Very Low Level of Impact Mabel Lake LSR Mabel Lake 50000 45000 13% 40000 30% 35000 13% 30000 13% ngth (m) 25000 15% ee 16% 20000 15000 Shore L 10000 5000 Condition Score 0 High Moderate Low None 0 1 2 3 4 5 LlfItLevel of Impact Poor Good Change Monitoring Okanagan Lake as an Example Rate of Change: 0.5 - 2.0% per year Likely similar in other areas experiencing rapid high rates of development May exceed capacity of fish species and populations to adapt, posing risk of significant habitat-related harm Residential Development – Shuswap Lake Next Steps Key recommendations: how can government use the FIM / AHIAHI?? 1. CllbCollabora tiltively Deve lop Shore line Managemen tGidlit Guidelines thtthat can be incorporated into the RGS, OCPs, Foreshore plans, etc. 2. Use the information in review of development applications 3. Identify ways to protect areas identified by the AHI as High and Very High from further degradation & maintain upland terrestrial linkages 4. Develop specific and clear restoration objectives and goals with restoration of degraded areas during redevelopment 5. Develop an outreach strategy on the findings of this study to raise awareness and improve stewardship 6. Better data management - consolidation of data and coordination of upkeep 7. Incorporate habitat information identified into the Shuswap Watershed Sustainability Plan Important Considerations Critical to success 1. Development of an integrated shoreline and river bank monitoring program 2. Education, Outreach and engagement to change behavior 3. Compliance and Enforcement of violations – Work Collaboratively 4. Set clear targets and objectives that can be tracked through change monitoring Special thanks to: Regggional District North Okanagan Fisheries and Oceans Canada City of Enderby Okanagan Basin Water Board.