| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
Wasa Lake is located in the southern interior of British Columbia, near Cranbrook BC. The Wasa Lake Land Improvement District (WLLID) commissioned Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. (Interior) to complete a Foreshore Inventory and Mapping study (FIM) on Wasa Lake. The purpose of the project was to provide baseline information on foreshore condition and environmental values to aid in future decision-making. This was to be achieved through both a literature review of known environmental values and the collection of field data on the foreshore’s physical features. Foreshore Inventory Mapping (FIM) methods used for other lakes in British Columbia were followed, including those of Okanagan Lake (Regional District of Central Okanagan 2005) and Windermere Lake (McPherson and Michel 2007). Field reviews were completed in June 2008 by BC Ministry of Environment and BC Conservation Corporation staff, who collected data on foreshore morphology, land use, riparian condition and anthropogenic alterations for the lake. This information was supplemented by additional field reviews in December 2008, during low water levels, by Interior professionals. The literature review identified that the foreshore (and adjacent upland areas) of Wasa Lake is biologically diverse and important to numerous plant, fish and wildlife species. Several sensitive species have been reported to inhabit or potentially inhabit the area, including: seven plant species, two invertebrate species, seven bird species and one mammal. As well, there are potentially three sensitive grassland and open forest ecosystems in the area. Maintaining functioning habitats for these species is considered important. The foreshore of Wasa Lake, which was determined to be 7.45 km, was delineated into 10 segments, based on contiguous characteristics. The physical analysis revealed the most prevalent shore type to be sand beach (high end of shoreline) /cobble beach (low end of shoreline) (36%). Vegetated and sand beach shore types also covered substantial areas (29% and 25%, respectively); while wetland and stream mouth shore types were minimal (9% and <1%, respectively). Aquatic vegetation was observed along the upper end of approximately 52% of the shoreline. The aquatic vegetation was composed of mainly grasses which were submerged during high water periods and emerged/on dry ground during lower water periods. The vegetation of natural or less disturbed shoreline areas was herbs/grasses, and for many segments, these transitioned to ponderosa pine/grassland ecosystems through the riparian and upland zones. Over half (60%) of the lake’s foreshore area was found to be disturbed through anthropogenic (human induced) modifications. These disturbances were mainly related to residential land use activities (54%), while some were associated with park recreational uses (6%). In the littoral zone (waters edge to where sunlight could penetrate) and the shoreline zone (water’s edge), the most prevalent modifications were dock placement and beach grooming (conversion to sand beach through sand placement and/or removal of shoreline vegetation). Beach grooming appeared to have particularly large impacts on the foreshore diversity by reducing vegetation (both terrestrial and aquatic) and cobble substrate features. Higher up the foreshore, disturbances to the riparian and upland vegetation areas included conversion to lawns and other landscaping. Despite the foreshore impacts, a substantial portion of the study area was undisturbed (40%). Twenty eight percent of the undisturbed foreshore was located in the Wasa Lake Provincial Park. Segment 2, located at the south end of the lake was also mostly undeveloped, having 717 m of natural foreshore. Efforts should be made to minimize further disturbance in these areas and restoration opportunities should be explored for impacted areas. The information collected will aid government and organizations overseeing foreshore and upland developments. It serves as a benchmark by documenting land use and riparian habitat changes, necessary for the development of regulations, standards, policies and education materials. Several recommended actions are proposed, including: conducting species and habitats inventories, addressing modifications, developing a foreshore protection plan, conducting monitoring and further educating the community. |
