Kootenay Lake Sub-Region

• Restoration and enhancement of native fish and fish habitat
  • Priority species: kokanee, rainbow trout, bull trout, white sturgeon, burbot.
  • Priority habitat: shoreline spawning and valley bottom tributaries.
• Restoration and enhancement of riparian and wetland habitats
  • Priority: low elevation historic wetlands north end of Kootenay Lake and Creston Valley.

• Protection, enhancement and identification of corridors and linkage areas
  • Priority: north end Kootenay Lake and Creston Valley.
• Restoration of fire-maintained ecosystems in dry interior forest types.
• Protection and enhancement of old growth forests
  • Priority: north Kootenay Lake.
• Protection and enhancement of critical habitat for species of interest and conservation concern.
  • Priority species: mountain caribou, grizzly bear, white sturgeon, bats, western toad, northern leopard frog, painted turtle, Lewis’ Woodpecker, whitebark pine.
    

• Protection and enhancement of Indigenous cultural values.
  • Priority: traditional use and traditional knowledge.

• Reducing, mitigating and/or managing ecosystem threats.
  • Wildfire and fire suppression
  • Climate change
  • Invasive species (terrestrial and aquatic)
  • Cumulative effects (dams, forestry, mining, rural-urban development, agriculture, Shoreline/foreshore development)
  • Recreation and access management

Near Creston, Six Mile Slough provides habitat for waterfowl, amphibians and more. Its ecological value has been greatly reduced because of modifications to the wetland since the late 1800’s for agricultural and wildlife management purposes. This project by the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area will see the modification structures removed, over 1,260 hectares restored to a more natural state and the slough reconnected to the Kootenay River.

“Improved flow of water, nutrients and other processes within the wetland and between the wetland and the Kootenay River will provide improved habitat for fish and wildlife,” said Marc-Andre Beaucher, Head of Conservation Programs, noting at-risk species like white sturgeon, burbot and northern leopard frogs will benefit. “This project will attempt to address sub-optimal water fluctuations, limit aggressive cattails encroaching upon the wetland, and return the area to a more natural hydrology that will benefit a wide range of species.”

At home in the subalpine, whitebark pine is a long-lived tree species—except when its survival is being threatened by white pine blister rust. The Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Ktunaxa Nation are working together to help restore this endangered species that plays an important role in mountain ecosystems. Primary activities involve collecting seeds from uninfected trees, growing seedlings in greenhouses and planting them in the South Selkirk Mountains overlooking Kootenay Lake.

“This project will improve the long-term health of our subalpine ecosystems by increasing the likelihood that whitebark pine will survive on the landscape,” said Adrian Leslie, West Kootenay Project Manager, Nature Conservancy of Canada. “There will be increased numbers of healthy trees able to defend themselves from white pine blister rust, which will in turn support the dozens of wildlife species that rely on the large, nutritious seeds for their survival.”

At the confluence of the Goat and Kootenay rivers near Creston, over 500 hectares of land make up part of the yaqan nukiy traditional hunting grounds. But this landscape isn’t as healthy and diverse as it used to be. Using aerial photographs from 1929 and the knowledge of Elders, the Lower Kootenay Band will be revitalizing wetland, stream and riparian habitats in this culturally and ecologically important area.

“This is a unique opportunity to restore an altered landscape to its former condition,” said Chief Jason Louie. “Major improvements will enhance the habitat for a diversity of fish and wildlife species, from white sturgeon to little brown bats. Culturally important plants including wapato, cattail, sedges and rushes will be returned to yaqan nukiy lands. It’s also a great opportunity to involve the students and staff of the Yaqan Nukiy School and all Lower Kootenay Band members in the project.”