Description:
In 2024, an invasive plant inventory was conducted in conservation areas on Kinq̓uq̓ankito collect invasive plant data to inform the development of the ISMP and to provide a baseline for monitoring the impacts of invasive species management. The inventory focused on vectors of spread, specifically roads, trails, and disturbed areas. Additionally, the shoreline and wetland habitats were surveyed for invasive species. A total of 174 infestations were recorded during the inventory, accounting for 10 documented invasive species. The most abundant species found in the conservation area was spotted knapweed, with 58 isolated infestations detected. Downy brome (cheatgrass) covers the most area of the conservation area complex, at 8.83 ha, although less sites were detected than spotted knapweed. Chemical treatments took place in July, September, and October, targeting diffuse knapweed, spotted knapweed, St. John’s wort, and yellow hawkweed species, covering 1.07 ha across all conservation areas. Additionally, EKISC and Wildsight Invermere, in partnership with BC Parks, hosted a community weed pull at Columbia Lake Provincial Park on May 25, 2024. EKISC conducted post-treatment monitoring in the East Side Columbia Lake WMA on July 29 (during the invasive plant inventory) and October 8, 2024.

Keywords: invasive species; grasslands

Authors:

Organization: East Kootenay Invasive Species Council

Category: Invasive Plant Management

Focal Area: Columbia Lake

Resource Type: Report

Year: 2025