the salmon river watershed - Learning Centre

There has also been a dramatic loss in streamside vegetation along the Salmon River over the
years and this has caused higher water temperatures and increased erosion and
sedimentation in the river. While the Salmon River has generally been considered relatively
"unpolluted", there are indications that nutrient loadings are increasing resulting in higher
bacterial contamination. The source of these higher nutrient and bacterial conditions include
fertilizers, manure and sewage. The combined effects of low summer flow, high temperature
and incremental deterioration in water quality have prompted the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans to request that BC Environment (Water Management) issue shutdown orders to some
water licensees, thus indicating that current water use practices may not be sustainable.
Based on existing information, it is difficult to determine whether or not the current wildlife diversity
and populations are sustainable. The Forest Practices Code should help to ensure biodiversity
objectives are recognized in the watershed and steps taken to protect important habitats,
particularly those upon which threatened, rare or endangered species depend. It is also important
that wetlands in the watershed be thoroughly inventoried and that harvesting and development
guidelines put in place to protect significant wetlands. Formal designation may be required in some
cases to protect critical wetlands. There may also be opportunities to restore drained wetlands.
Methodology
The study team used several approaches to gather, review, analyze and map information for
this technical report. A report by Dovetail Consulting (Dovetail, 1995) for the SRWR which
included a list of government agency contacts and summarized issues based on interviews
with many of these individuals, was used initially to contact agencies for information. Many
additional people were also identified by team members and contacted, either for information
or to be interviewed about sustainability issues in the watershed. Census runs from BC Stats
and Statistics Canada were undertaken for relevant socio-economic and agriculture
information. Where available, existing reports and maps were obtained and reviewed. Two
separate two day field trips were made to the watershed by team members to observe aquatic
and terrestrial habitat, land use, forestry and agricultural practices. One team member lives in
the watershed. During these field trips, team members met with local, regional and provincial
agency personnel in Salmon Arm, Vernon and Kamloops. Several team members also met
with Scotty Holmes, Upper Nicola Band. Publications of the SRWR were reviewed, including
the draft Verbal History of the Salmon River Watershed and the results of the community
meetings.
A digital TRIM map base and cadastral map information for the watershed were provided by
Environment Canada. Other map information was obtained from provincial, municipal and
regional government agencies.
A first draft of the technical report was produced in September 1995. This report was widely
distributed to government agencies and other watershed interests for review and comment.
Many good suggestions for improving the report were received and the consultants have
attempted to incorporate most of these comments into the final draft.
Report Organization
This report is divided into five major sections and several subsections. Section 1 is the
introduction. Section 2 reviews current issues and trends in the watershed for the following:
socio-economic profile, land use (settlement, forestry, agriculture, recreation, other resource
2