Description:
The western upland bench of the Columbia Valley provides a suitable landscape for many small wetland features where minimal investigative work has been completed. In 2023, we visited 371 of the 828 (45%) mapped polygons either via drone or in-person to generate a summary of wetland status and identify potential restoration sites. This report outlines the number of wetlands that are receiving adequate water supply to maintain open water or wetland vegetation vs. those with evidence of drying or appear dry. The project goal is to restore 5 to 10 hectares of wetlands on the upland bench of the Columbia Valley using Beaver Dam Analogues, and to conduct further assessments of potential sites for restoration.

Keywords: wetlands; beaver; hydrology; climate change

Authors: Catriona Leven, Jessica Holden, Suzanne Bayley

Organization: Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners

Category: Hydrologically Vulnerable Wetlands

Focal Area: Columbia Wetlands

Resource Type: Report

Year: 2024