Road salts, commonly used for de-icing our streets and highways, ensure safe travel during harsh Canadian winters. However, their persistent use is causing unforeseen consequences for our environment. Our aquatic wildlife, particularly, is suffering from this impact. These salts are infiltrating our waterways, affecting the delicate balance of freshwater ecosystems.
There has been a significant increase in the salinization of freshwater bodies over the past decade. This not only endangers aquatic life but also threatens the biodiversity of surrounding habitats. Elevated salt levels can disrupt aquatic plants, lead to fish kills, and render waters inhospitable for various species. Furthermore, an increased salt concentration in water can influence the dynamics of food webs and the carbon cycle.
Climate change poses an existential threat to some of BC’s diverse ecosystems if it continues unabated. In the coming years it will influence BC’s lakes and reservoirs in variety of ways – some subtle and some dramatic.
In larger water bodies the effect will be muted, but will still be noticeable. Moderate increases in summer surface temperatures and slow minor warming of the hypolimnion will occur in large, cooler lakes (Anderson et al., 2021), such as Kootenay Lake and Harrison Lake, whereas large lakes in the Okanagan Valley will experience record high summer surface temperatures and stronger thermal stratification. Continue Reading
When it comes to wildfire preparedness, it’s crucial to learn all that we can from previous wildfire seasons. The 2023 wildfire season also saw the evacuation of tens of thousands of people across BC, forcing people to leave their homes for days or weeks at a time.
Learning from these experiences can also help us be proactive in the face of wildfires instead of reactive, preparing for emergencies before a fire is on our doorstep. That’s what FireSmart is all about: educating residents on the steps they can take now to increase the chances of their home surviving a wildfire. Every step we take makes properties more resilient, positively impacting communities while bringing us one step closer to creating a FireSmart province. Continue reading
West Fraser is in the consultation stage, exploring several cut blocks south of Lac des Roches. Luca Lanzoni, owner of Lac des Roche Resort hosted an information meeting on July 19, 2023 that was well attended by members of the Watershed Society and other local citizens. The group engaged in a rigorous discussion after a visual presentation illustrating the effects of logging around some local lakes. The Watershed Society agreed to support the effort to oppose clearcut logging in the Lac des Roches
area, specifically CP 635, FLA20002. Referral Map
Excessive runoff from clearcut logging activities can have severe repercussions in the delicate balance of the local ecosystem. Runoff can lead to accelerated nutrient loading in the bodies of water that can alter the pH levels of the lakes, causing proliferation of red algae and subsequent winterkill of fish populations. Environment damage has already been observed at Ripple Lake, Roche Lake, Pioneer Lake, Johnny Lake and Tortoise
Lake and we are seriously concerned about the environmental impact of the proposed logging south of Lac des Roches.
Meeting with West Fraser
A subsequent meeting was held with Tong Yeung from West Fraser at the Lac des Roches Resort. He presented the logging plans for the Lac des Roches area and provided a considerable amount of information about modern forestry practices that was very informative and provided perspective. Tong committed to eliminating the 3 cut blocks closest to Lac des Roches while continuing the consultation process throughout their planning. The group in attendance was extremely appreciative of his presentation and patience in explaining the environmental intricacies involved. More follow up is expected and we appreciated Tong explaining the process to encourage action from the Ministry of Transportation in regards to the flooding at Ripple Lake. It was great to see a contractor working on draining the plugged culvert causing the flooded lake.
Excavator hired by MOT to rectify plugged culvert at Ripple Lk
Our Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday August 9, 2023 at 4pm. The location was the Lac des Roches Access #7 Boat Launch but it was moved last minute to Atherton’s due to inclement weather.
A large cougar was spotted on the driveway of a property between the big and Little Lac des Roches at dusk Monday evening. No reports of incidents, but be aware of your family and your pets when you live on the edge of a wilderness.
