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The CHARS contributes to biodiversity goals and supports healthy ecosystems within the tributaries, wetlands, lakes, and mainstem Columbia River from Donald, BC upstream to its headwaters at Columbia Lake and Dutch Creek within the Rocky Mountains in Southeastern British Columbia. The CHARS focuses on tributaries to the upper Columbia River headwater reach upstream of Kinbasket Reservoir. Specifically, focus for the initial phase of the CHARS is on the smaller tributaries with little or no fish and fish habitat data except the most basic of inventory data.
Ecological setting
The study area starts at the Columbia Rivers source at Canal Flats, B.C. The Columbia River drains north from Columbia Lake and into Windermere Lake, which is approximately 20 km downstream (See map below). From there, the Columbia follows a meandering course along the Rocky Mountain Trench for approximately 180 km to Golden B.C., where it then enters the southern end of Kinbasket Reservoir. The major east bank tributaries of the upper Columbia River are Windermere, Shuswap, Luxor, and Fraling (Galena) Creek, and the Kicking Horse and Blaeberry Rivers. The Bugaboo and Spillimacheen Rivers, Horsethief, Toby, and Dutch Creek are the major west bank tributaries. The study area includes the upper Columbia River and all tributaries and lakes.
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This headwater reach of the Columbia River is the only section within the entire 2,000 km to retain a natural hydrograph. It also contains some of the most intact wetlands in BC, covering 26,000 hectares with a flood plain 1-2 km in width
Map of the upper Columbia River and important study tributaries from Canal Flats to Donald.
Why this area?
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The historical development of the Columbia Valley has had significant impacts on the Columbia River and its fish populations due to extensive geomorphic changes as well as fish harvesting practices. Before European settlement, the Valley was characterized by diverse riparian habitats, natural river meandering, and extensive wetlands that provided essential spawning, rearing, breeding, and feeding grounds for various fish species. Diversity of habitat such as this is essential to creating environments conducive to all life stages of fish. With the arrival of European settlers in the late 1800s, large-scale logging, mining, road construction, and agricultural activities led to widespread deforestation and soil erosion, altering the natural geomorphology of the area. This shift has resulted in increased sedimentation, reduced water quality and quantity, and a loss of vital fish habitats, adding to the progression of decline in fish populations in the Columbia River over the years.
Nellie Richardson with a 34-pound ling caught off the mouth of Windermere Creek by her brother Harry Richardson circa 1923. Photo from the collection of Ron and Belle Ede of Invermere, B.C.
