Watershed Restoration Program

The Living Lakes Canada Restoration Program is working toward enhancing watershed health, increasing aquatic habitat resilience, and collaborating with partners to restore ecosystems to a functioning state that will remain viable in the face of climate change.

PROGRAM GOAL

Increase aquatic habitat resilience, improve watershed health and restore ecosystems to a functioning state that will remain viable in the face of climate change. Mitigate or remediate human-caused environmental issues to enhance and restore aquatic ecosystems.

CURRENT PROGRAM ACTIVITY

Columbia Wetlands Enhancement and Restoration

These wetlands are losing permanent open-water habitat due to hydrological changes, legacy infrastructure such as old bridge pilings and wing dams, and climate change. Living Lakes Canada, in collaboration with the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners, are working to develop a comprehensive, process-based restoration plan for the wetlands. This project will provide a practical, science-based framework to restore processes that sustain floodplain habitat for fish and wildlife.

The Cottonwood Creek Revival Project

Located in Nelson, B.C., Cottonwood Creek is an important part of the community and landscape. However, many parts of the creek are in poor condition and lack habitat that promotes biodiversity.

The goal of the Cottonwood Creek Revival (CCR) Project is to assess the condition of the creek and explore opportunities that could improve its long-term health. Living Lakes Canada, Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society and the Nelson District Rod Gun Club and Conservation Society are partners on this project.

A State of the Watershed report was commissioned in 2023, followed by a Fish Habitat Assessment, and Living Lakes Canada has been carrying out baseline monitoring of the watershed’s water quality and ecosystem health. Data and resources related to this project are available on the Columbia Basin Water Hub.

In 2024, a public meeting was held to present the findings of the State of the Watershed report and the baseline monitoring followed by an interactive session where community members shared their concerns, values and visions for Cottonwood Creek into the future. Read the feedback here.

From this work, possibilities for future restoration, management, and stewardship activities that will benefit the creek are being identified.