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Shuswap Watershed Shoreline Care Presentation

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Why are shorelines important?

• The shoreline areas of the Shuswap watershed are critical to

• A sustainable environment

• The liveability of the region

• The water quality we depend on for drinking and recreation

• Important fish and wildlife populations

• The region’s economic opportunities

• Shorelines are unique ecosystems that have developed over thousands of years

• We all share the responsibility for keeping our shorelines healthy

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What is the shoreline area?

• The shoreline is the most sensitive part of the lake

• The shoreline consists of:

- All areas from the high water level to the edge of the littoral zone (an

area of high productivity, approximately 4 to 6 m of depth at low water

level)

• The shoreline is Crown Land and is a public resource, not private property

• Riparian areas (areas within about 30 meters of the high water mark) often

include critical vegetation and are part of a healthy, functioning shoreline

• Floodplain areas are important for water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and

flood control

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What makes a healthy shoreline?

Components of a Healthy,

Sustainable Shoreline

• Adequate, natural riparian

buffers/setbacks

• Careful planning to avoid damage

to critical habitat (wildlife or

fisheries)

• Protection of wetlands and

floodplains (water quality buffers)

• Protection of drinking water

intakes

• Good storm water management

planning

versus

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What is needed for healthy drinking water and recreation?

Water Quality

Requirements

versus

• Healthy shoreline

vegetation to filter

contaminants out of

groundwater and runoff

before entering the

lakes

• Erosion control to

prevent sediments from

entering the lakes

• Protection of drinking

water intakes

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What do fish and wildlife need?

Fisheries / Wildlife Life

History Requirements

• Spawning Areas

(both shore and

stream)

• Rearing /Foraging

Areas

• Migration Corridors

• Nesting / Mating /

Wintering Areas

• Clean, cool water

• Riparian areas,

wetlands, and

floodplains

versus

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How are lake shorelines managed in BC?

versus

Step 1

• Foreshore Inventory and Mapping – Provides the background information regarding the shoreline.

Step 2

• Aquatic Habitat Index – Provides an environmental sensitivity analysis of the shoreline, using existing biological data (e.g.,shore spawning locations) and the FIM Database

Step 3

• Shoreline Management Guidelines – A comprehensive look at types of development and level of risk associated with them.

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Summary of Shuswap Lake

versus

• Overall, 57%

remains natural

• ~43% has a High

Level of Impact

• ~8.2% with No Level

of Impact

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Summary of Shuswap Lake

versus

• 2,789 docks @ 6.86/km

• 1,529 retaining walls @

13% of shoreline or

~52,000 m

• 1,170 groynes @ 25%

substrate modification

or ~101,000 m

• 186 boat launches, 51

marinas, and 120

marine rails

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How fast is the shoreline changing?

versus

Why does this all matter?

• Rate of Change on Okanagan

Lake was estimated to be

between -0.5% and -2% per

year

• The high rate of change is

potentially similar to some

areas of the Shuswap

experiencing higher

development rates

• The rate is too fast for fish and

wildlife to adapt, potentially

resulting in significant habitat

related population effects

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Tips for Shoreline Care

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What can you do to ensure healthy shorelines?

• Consult with your local government and FrontCounter BC before starting a

project near the water as you need to comply with zoning and regulations for

your area. Any modification of Crown Land requires approval

• Be aware of what’s around you and do your part to protect our watershed

• Plant native trees and shrubs and limit vegetation removal

• Replace turf with native vegetation in areas within 30 meters of the high water

mark. Visit slippbc.com for a list of native plants

• Keep docks in 1.5 m water depth (when possible) and remove above water

level during fall fish spawning or use mooring buoys with helical screw anchors

• Limit beach modifications (i.e., removal of cobbles and boulders) and repair

old modifications by replacing natural materials

• Do not import sand

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Tips for Shoreline Care

versus

What can you do to ensure healthy shorelines?

• Avoid significant impacts to areas ranked as Very High or High by the Aquatic

Habitat Index (available through the Watershed Atlas at slippbc.com)

• Use softer erosion control techniques by planting vegetation rather than using

vertical concrete retaining walls

• Reduce boat wake in bays to avoid erosion and damage to fish and wildlife

habitat or young and lower gradient areas that have a higher erosion potential

• Follow proper septic tank maintenance and repair

• Always ask a Qualified Environmental Professional for advise prior to starting

a project