The Kootenay Lake Partnership (KLP) was formed in 2010 to address the increasing growth and development pressures of people desiring to live on or near Kootenay Lake. As a result, several agencies including local governments and First Nations joined and developed a strategic Terms of Reference to collaborate on lake management planning. The geographic scope of the KLP is from the mouth of the Kootenay River, including the main body of the lake (North and South Arms), up to the mouth of the Duncan River and down the West Arm to the Corra Linn dam. The scope also includes the foreshore and upland components 100 metres inland or to a logical physical break (i.e. highway or rail line). In order to fulfill its mandate, the KLP has completed a three-part lake study including preliminary foreshore inventory mapping (FIM) followed by an aquatic habitat index (AHI), archaeological overview assessment (AOA) and cultural values study which fed into a Shorelines Guidance document for the lake. The Guidance document identifies ecologically significant areas such as wetlands, tributary outlets, native grasslands, wildlife habitat and corridors, biologically producing areas and critical areas for fish and species at risk. The document identifies sites of cultural significance for the Ktunaxa First Nation such as traditional and contemporary use areas. The study has led to an improved scientific knowledge of lake processes and form a baseline for improved decision-making.