The Duncan Lardeau focal area was added in Year 5 (2023-2024) of Kootenay Connect Priority Places. Consequently, the project results reported for this area are from Year 5 (2023-24) to Year 7 (2025-26).
Year 7 (2025-26)
Efforts to work with beavers in their role as wetland engineers have been a priority in the Kootenay Connect 3-year Beaver project, as wetlands along the Duncan-Lardeau River floodplain have deteriorated in recent years. Along large rivers like the Duncan-Lardeau, one of the uniquely vital roles of beavers is to create small, stable ponds and marshes on otherwise shifting, swift-flowing waterways. The resulting small wetlands contribute disproportionately to biodiversity and species at risk. The primary objectives of the project included: 1) re-establishing beavers in a suitable location on the Duncan Lardeau floodplain; 2) undertaking at least one water supplementation project to benefit beaver-associated wetlands; 3) investigating at least one additional water supplementation project; and 4) undertaking minor restoration work to aid beaver expansion or establishment where needed. The long-term vision guiding this project is to see beaver colonies occupying and developing wetlands in all or most locations on the floodplain that have wetland potential.
Year 6 (2024-25)
Please see Project Overview Year 6 Highlights for an update on Beavers.
Year 5 (2023-24)
At the end of 2022, we learned of a colony of problem beavers that needed to be moved, (or exterminated), from Pass Creek near Castlegar. Since none of the previously identified Duncan-Lardeau beaver analogue projects1 were ‘shovel-ready’ for a variety of reasons, and since augmenting the Duncan Lardeau population still seemed prudent and timely, we decided to shift immediate action priorities from constructing beaver works analogues to bringing in the beavers themselves to do the wetland construction. Plans were thus put in motion to translocate beavers to the Duncan-Lardeau from the Pass Creek area near Castlegar.
