Description:
In 2024, CWSP conducted two areas of research in wetlands on the upland bench west of Columbia Lake. This area was identified in previous work as particularly vulnerable to climate change. We first visited 17 wetlands and conducted vegetation and soil surveys in collaboration with The Nature Trust of BC, then focused on the upper reaches of Marion Creek and assessed the impact of beaver dams. We found that of the 17 wetlands we visited, only five had surface water present, and only two were considered to have water with a permanent hydroperiod, meaning they will be wet all year round. We also conducted more detailed surveys of beaver dams and lodged in the Upper Marion Creek West Wetlands and found 46 beaver dams, 24 of which were active, and nine beaver lodges, five of which were active. These active dams hold approximately 33,447 m3 of water on the landscape, create marsh, swamp, and fen wetland habitat, and help regulate the flow and temperature of Marion Creek, all of which increases biodiversity and is important for species such as Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) found in Marion Creek.

Keywords: wetlands; beaver; hydrology; climate change

Authors:

Organization: Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners

Category: Hydrologically Vulnerable Wetlands

Focal Area: Columbia Lake

Resource Type: Report

Year: 2025