SCIENCE AND REGULATION OF THE SALMON RIVER DELTA
|
|
REASONS TO PROTECT, ENHANCE AND RESTORE OUR SALMON RIVER DELTA
ONE - SALMON RIVER AND SHUSWAP LAKE WATER QUALITY IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE.
Parking lots concentrate and discharge chemicals into the environment ...
"Several PAHs [polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons] are suspected human carcinogens and are toxic to aquatic life." "Dissolved zinc was most likely the primary cause of toxicity based on toxicant characterization of selected runoff samples."
TWO - CHANGING RIVER AND FLOODPLAIN DYNAMICS WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT DIRECT AND/OR INDIRECT IMPACTS ON FLOODPLAIN FUNCTION, NEIGHBOURING AND UPSTREAM RESIDENTS, AND CITY, PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL LIABILITY.
THREE - THIS ECOSYSTEM IS CRITICALLY ENDANGERED AND SPECIES ARE AT RISK.
RED LISTED - "cottonwood - snowberry - rose ecosystem" is largely unprotected by riparian regulations, Western Grebe in their last nesting place in BC, western screech owl, Mexican mosquito fern
BLUE LISTED - western painted turtle, American bittern, great blue heron, Dolly Varden trout
YELLOW LISTED - western toad
COHEN COMMISSION - Fraser River sockeye are under federal investigation
For more information about endangered and at-risk species in British Columbia, please visit the provinicial red and blue listsFOUR - SALMON ARM'S OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN (OCP) ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES AND COMMUNITY PRIORITIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT EXPRESSED IN THE OCP REVIEW SURVEY STRONGLY SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
FIVE - IT SETS THE RIGHT PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ON OR NEAR CRITICAL HABITAT AND WATERCOURSES. More than 80% of Canada's species at risk are endangered because of habitat loss. 90% of greater Okanagan wetlands have been drained, filled and otherwise ruined.
|
The Western Grebe On BC Ministry of Environment's red-list (considered extirpated, endangered or threatened), Salmon Arm Bay is BC's only remaining successful Western Grebe nesting site. [ click image for video footage ]  
|
GEOLOGIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE DELTA
"One of the most impressive examples of a river delta in British Columbia occurs at the mouth of the Salmon River ... The delta developed from an extensive post-glacial lake that occupied the valley stretching at least 20 kilometres to the south in the Salmon River valley."
("Geologic Development of the Salmon River Delta" by Dr. Murray Roed,
Geoterrain Consultants, 4890 Westridge Drive, Kelowna, BC V1W 3A1)
DO YOU KNOW THAT ... ?
EVERY OTHER YEAR THE RIVER DELTA FLOODS, CREATING HABITAT FOR AT-RISK FINGERLING SALMON.
| In many areas, small landowners, timber companies, fishermen, environmentalists, farmers, tribal members, agency representatives, and others are working together to restore watersheds and improve salmon habitat. ...These coalitions are finding ways to put aside differences and pool resources to help the salmon. (42) |  |
FLOODPLAINS AND WETLANDS ARE NATURE'S KIDNEYS, ACTIVELY CLEANSING SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER.
 |
They are also the bladders of the earth by virtue of their water storage ability. For their role in transforming nutrients, wetlands are also the earth's digestive tract, and for their ability to filter toxins, they are the liver as well. (41) |
OUR RIVER DELTA IS A MAJOR STOP OVER FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS.
| Wetlands sustain more life than any other ecosystem - as much as many tropical forests and more than good farmland. They play a major role in maintaining the stability of the global environment. They nurture hundreds of different species and provide the critical breeding and rearing habitat for a wide diversity of wildlife. (53) |  |
KELOWNA, VERNON, NESKONLITH INDIAN BAND AND THE SALMON RIVER WATERSHED ROUNDTABLE ARE RESTORING WETLANDS.
|
1. "In 2001, the City of Vernon ... identified an opportunity to create a series of wetlands that would act as storm-water management areas and a visual amenity for the community." (30) 2. Elder Mary Thomas of the Neskonlith Band, the Salmon River Watershed Roundtable and Ducks Unlimited restored wetlands on the Salmon River delta around 1995. (25) 3. Kelowna has constructed a number of wetlands. (8) |
(25) Wetlands Enhancement Project - A model for Environmental Cooperation. Environment Canada.
(8) State of the Environment Report 2003, p58.
KELOWNA HAS MAPPED AND INVENTORIED ITS ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS.
| "The City of Kelowna has completed inventory and mapping of environment-tally sensitive areas including creeks, wetlands, Okanagan Lake foreshore, grasslands and old growth forests. Twenty-seven creeks and 278 wetlands (including 75 previously unknown wetlands) were identified within the city." (39) |
|
SALMON ARM'S WETLANDS, ACTIVE FLOODPLAINS AND OTHER SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS ARE POORLY PROTECTED.
 |
1. Salmon Arm's only protection for environmentally sensitive ecosystems is BC's Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR). That regulation only protects fish-habitat, leaving all other sensitive ecosystems unprotected. Furthermore, RAR relies on reports from "Qualified Environmental Professionals", hired and paid by developers, to assess their employer's plans, which creates a direct conflict of interest. MOE does not routinely check the validity of the reports. (1) 2. "The biggest problem is that over the past few decades government support for economic development has, more often than not, trumped fish-habitat protection, and instead of things getting better, it appears things may get a lot worse." (2) |
(2) High and Dry. David Suzuki foundation, p2.
FILL IN AN ACTIVE FLOODPLAIN WILL LIKELY INCREASE FLOODING ELSEWHERE.
|
1. "Floodplains are supposed to store floodwater. If storage space is filled with dirt and other fill, future flooding may be worsened." (4) 2. "No net fill in any floodplain is allowed. All fill placed in a floodplain shall be balanced with at least an equal amount of soil material removal." (5) |
 |
(5) Section G(1). - Floodplain Management, Portland Metro.
SALMON RIVER HIGH WATER WILL INCREASE FROM VAST ACREAGES OF BEETLE-KILLED TIMBER.
 |
Water that would normally be utilized by pine will now be available to runoff and enter the Salmon River. This extra amount of water spread over thousands of dead trees will undoubtedly increase the flow in Salmon River and raise the threat of periodic floods beyond contemporary statistics. Flows will increase and flood frequency will increase. During the spring (1894) runoff Shuswap Lake inundated at least half the valley, covered the railway east and west of town and created a miniature lake between Alexander Avenue and Ross Street. |
THE SALMON RIVER DELTA CONTRIBUTES TO OUR INCOME, EMPLOYMENT, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
|
"A number of studies have put the annual value of all the
goods and services generated by one hectare of wetlands...
at between $5,792 and $24,330." (1) "There is no escaping it. Our region owes much of its persona and character to the lake. It is part of our lives, our livelihood, and a major compelling reason for visitation. It is host to a wide variety of activities, a distinct visual viewscape that dominates our region, and serves to provide the |
|
"The region remains popular with vacationers and is increasingly becoming known for its all-season activities. Salmon Arm is continually attracting new residents seeking a small town life-style with its host of active recreational amenities..." (3) For a visual interpretation of all of the above see the video Salmon Arm Bay. (4)
1. Ducks Unlimited Canada and Nature Conservancy Canada. The Value of Natural Capital in Settled Areas of Canada, p. 15.
2. Storey and Company. Shuswap Tourism Brand Vision, p. 3.
3. City of Salmon Arm. 2008 Annual Report, p. 24.
4. Dancing Grebes Photography. Salmon Arm Bay Video.
CREATING THE MARY THOMAS HERITAGE SANCTUARY WILL PROVIDE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.
|
"Through their creative activities, the people of Salmon
Arm live and work in a town known worldwide as a four-
season, destination resort, a major centre of research and
education in the attitudes, skills, and technologies for 21st
century living, and a pre-eminent example of how to
move forward, simultaneously, on social progress, ecological
stewardship, and economic development." (1) "The Sanctuary is located on the floodplain of the Salmon River where it enters Shuswap Lake in the City of Salmon Arm, British Columbia." (2) |
1. A Vision of Salmon Arm
2. The Mary Thomas Heritage Sanctuary - A Proposal
|
FISH HABITAT AS DEFINED BY ACTIVE FLOODINGThe BC Ministry of Environment considers a floodplain to be active if it floods at least once every five years. This is an important distinction because only active floodplain is considered fish habitat, and when it comes to most land development, only fish habitat is covered by regulation. In 2008, the Salmon River delta was a single municipal council vote away from from large scale commercial development because it was reported by the developer that the delta did not flood *, and the Ministry of Environment and Salmon Arm City Council accepted this report. Since then the delta has been shown to flood more frequently than once every two years, unequivocally establishing it as critical fish habitat. |
 River high water mark represented by orange line & lake high water mark by green line. Development overlay in this and following graphics represents the 2009 proposal.
|
 The above photo from the late 1920s shows somewhat different main river channel positions. It also shows Active Floodplain areas presently buried beneath landfill on the SW side of the property.
|
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE & OPINION IN SUPPORT OF AN ACTIVE FLOODPLAIN
1) SOIL CLASSIFICATION"The soil within the "I 6 W" cottonwood forest area is a Gleyed Regosol (young mineral soil, permanently or periodically water saturated and oxygen-starved) derived from river flood (alluvial) deposits; it is moderately well to poorly drained, has mottles within 30 cm of the soil surface, and is subject to frequent flooding." (Salmon Arm soil mapping project, April 1979, BC Min. Env., Resource Analysis Branch, Kelowna, B.C.)
2) AGROLOGIST'S LOCAL EXPERIENCE
"Since the subject property is close to the mouth of Salmon River, the elevation of the land is somewhat lower and is subject to flooding during high water levels in late May to early June." (Bob Holtby, P.Ag. from "Holtby" report on removal of subject property from Agricultural Land Reserve, dated July 19, 2004)
3) SALMON RIVER DELTA LOCAL EXPERIENCE
"The river floods pretty much annually to the start of the Interpretive Trail at the Pit Houses on the west side, just downstream from the subject property." This observation correlates well with the high water mark of the active floodplain as observed at the nearby northwest corner of the subject property. (Louie Thomas, pers. comm. Dec. 2009, from a lifetime of experience at the Salmon River mouth area)
4) GEOLOGIC EVIDENCE
"... the delta is still very active, and very unpredictable". (Geologic Development of the Salmon River Delta by Dr. Murray Roed, GEOTERRAIN CONSULTANTS 4890 Westridge Drive, Kelowna, BC V1W 3A1)
5) ANECDOTAL HISTORICAL RECORDS
Ten years later in 1894 (after the CPR line was constructed in 1884/85), following an early and hot spring, "the lake level rose very high" according to the Centennial History of Salmon Arm, written by Ernest Doe in his 1971. Doe estimated about half of the Salmon Valley was under water, "The railway tracks from the Indian Reserve to Sinclair's farm were under water. The track then was a little lower and the fires in the small wood burning (train) engines were extinguished at every attempt to get through.", wrote Doe. Because the valley roads and rail line were flooded, Dairy Farmer A.J. Palmer had to row his full milk containers in a boat across the bay to "Slough Bridge" on the CPR line to ship it to Kamloops.
A note in the 1894 "Inland Sentinel" newspaper reported: "Salmon Arm crops are in a very precarious condition owing to the spring freshets; nearly the whole valley is flooded. Several of the settlers had to leave their homes last week." The newspaper also reported that valley bridges and culverts were washed away and wagon roads were flooded.
1894 ... Around May 29 after two weeks of warm weather, flooding was reported in Salmon Arm. Nearly the whole valley was flooded and several of the settlers had to leave their homes the previous week. James D. Gordon's bridge washed away and the government bridge on the road to Thos. Shaw's Ranch was expected to go shortly. The roads were flooded and the bridges and culverts were afloat. During the last week of May, following the rains of the previous week, warm weather prevailed in the Okanagan Valley and Upper Nicola. Up to that time, the weather had been very cool. Tappen Siding had reported "rain almost every day." Temperatures were between 80-90F (26.7-32.2C) in the shade. Early June the warm weather continued in the Interior. ... Around June 1 at Salmon Arm, nearly the whole valley was flooded. The previous week several of the settlers had to leave their homes because of the flooding.6) WATER SURVEY CANADA ARCHIVED HYDROMETRIC DATA
The peak Shuswap Lake levels, measured at Canoe as metres above sea level (MASL), are shown on the following plot (red points). Also shown (blue points) on the horizontal axis, are the corresponding peak Salmon River cubic metres per second (CMS) flow rates, measured at the Trans Canada bridge over the river, for 1970 to 2008. The red line across the plot denotes the high water mark (HWM) for the lake as determined by the province, currently 348.7 MASL.
In each year a slight lag of the peak lake level behind the peak river flow can be seen. The peak lake level occurs on average 30 days after the peak river flow, although the lag times vary widely from year to year, ranging from 12 to 54 days. The following years had lag times of 15 days or less: 1972, 1981, 1985, 1990, 1996 and 2006. Also worth noting is that the contribution (input) of the Salmon River annually to the lake, at approximately 150 million cubic metres (CM) per year, is far less than those of the Shuswap River (approx. 2.8 billion CM per year), the Eagle River (approx. 1.3 billion CM per year), and the Adams River (approx. 6 billion CM per year). The plot shows that there is a clear link between the Salmon River's peak flows and the lake's peak levels. This, however, really implies that the Salmon River's flow behaviour at spring runoff is essentially the same as that of the Shuswap and Eagle, with the impact of the Adams runoff less clear. There is a suggestion from the blue flow points that flow rates for the Salmon River have been increasing during the 90's and beyond, although over the span of 41 years the upward trend is not statistically significant.
The highest lake level in this time span is seen in 1972. Eight out of the 41 years show peak levels above the 348.7 HWM. In 1972 the lake level peaked at 349.7 MASL, i.e. a metre above the HWM, and caused dramatic flooding. Even more widespread flooding occurred in 1948, with the most extensive flooding seen back in 1894. Extensive flooding may occur, e.g. in 1972, when peak level is very high, but peak flow is less dramatic. It may also occur, e.g. in 1997, when peak flow is very high, but peak level is less dramatic. This indicates that the interaction between the Salmon River's spring runoff and the rising levels of the lake during spring runoff is complex. It is clear that flooding of the river's delta and surrounding wetlands can occur not only from the river overtopping its banks, but also from the influx of the lake's water over a land area which has a trivial gradient or slope towards the lake. Additional complications are the damming effect of the CPR tracks across the delta and wetlands (there are only two exits for the river's runoff to escape to the lake, or for the lake's waters to flow onto the delta), and predicted significant increases in peak river flows caused by pine beetle devastation in the Salmon River watershed over the past 6-7 years. The complex interplay between spring river runoff flows and rising lake levels emphatically makes the point that thorough studies of this interplay - studies which have apparently never been carried out here - are critical in developing appropriate flood risk management strategies and insurance, and in guiding good development planning.
7) PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE
 River flood (alluvial) deposits.
|
 Lichen lines on trees result from frequent flooding.
|
This May 14, 1993 air photo shows the flood "foot print" of the Salmon River at its peak discharge volume for 1993 of 43.8 cubic meters per second. On that day the river's discharge volume was very near its five year average flood level. The B.C. Riparian Area Regulation sets the 1 in 5 year flood level "foot print" as the indicator of the extent of fish habitat. Much of the water-filled looping river oxbow area in the middle left side of the area, black line marked "subject property", was buried in land fill between September 1998 and September 2001, wiping out valuable fish habitat and functioning flood water dispersion channels. WA:TER believes that this oxbow area must be restored to its former condition.
PROFESSIONAL COMMENTARY
NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA"The mouth of the Salmon River where it enters Salmon Arm is part of one Terrestrial Priority Conservation Area (#25 - Salmon Arm) and two Freshwater Priority Conservation Areas (#9 - Shuswap Lake and #37 - Salmon River). These PCAs are all rated as having the highest conservation value and highest vulnerability in the Okanagan Ecoregion. ... Of 137 Terrestrial PCAs in the Okanagan Ecoregion, only 14 have these highest rankings. Of additional interest is the fact that the Terrestrial and Freshwater PCAs overlap in the area of interest. ... Areas of overlap have increased relative importance for biodiversity." |
|
LAUCHLAN FRASER
(October 19, 2009) - Professor and Canada Research Chair in Community and Ecosystem Ecology"I am aware of a proposed 400,000 sq ft SmartCentres shopping centre on a floodplain at the mouth of the Samon River ... I am adamantly opposed ... The Salmon River is an important ecosystem, providing critical spawning habitat ... and feeding habitat for fish and birds ... Floodplains provide essential ecological services. The proposed development ... would impact hydrology and nutrient dynamics ... , with the additional impact of light, noise, and air pollution and surface water contamination. Not only would this affect salmon behaviour and spawning but it might increase nutrient loading in Shuswap Lake, causing eutrophication. ..." [Full letter]
MARK ANGELO
(Fall, 2009) - Rivers Chair, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC."I'm currently heading overseas but wanted to send you a quick note to express my support for your efforts to protect the Salmon River. Like many others, I share your concerns about the potential impacts of a massive shopping center in the midst of the Salmon River's active floodplain, an area that comprises critical salmon habitat. This same area also floods regularly, providing nutrient-rich habitat for juvenile salmon throughout the network of channels that cross the
|
floodplain. The black cottonwood/snowberry habitat found there also has many important attributes and, aside from becoming increasingly rare, it also sustains a number of red-listed species. For all these reasons, the Salmon River found its way onto BC's endangered rivers list in 2008. I greatly appreciate the efforts of you and your colleagues to speak up for the river - and I am very supportive of your endeavours. All the best, Mark Angelo, CM, OBC, DSc(hc), MSc." |
KING CAMPBELL
(October 23, 2009) - Head of BC Agriculture Programs, Ducks Unlimited Canada"... Like Mary Thomas, it is our focus to look for solutions. DUC encourages city council to direct the energy of the developer and the community towards a solution to protect the environment. A significantly reduced building footprint or development at an alternate location for this extensive proposal will secure a healthy environment; and in the long term will leave a legacy that supports business investment, the community, the lake, waterfowl, wildlife, and the public." [Full letter]
MUNICIPALITIES MUST SAFEGUARD THEIR ENVIRONMENT
When it comes to pro-active protection of wetlands, provincial and federal governments provide the framework, and municipal governments are required to make the decisions that will determine what legacy is left for future generations. Visit "overview" for a detailed discussion of regulations and government responsibility.
SENSITIVE HABITAT INVENTORY MAPPING (SHIM)
SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS INVENTORY (SEI)
Salmon Arm has been mired in controversy over floodplain development for the past 3 years largely because city council did not have accurate information upon which to base its decision. After considerable expense and time spent by WA:TER and individual citizens, commercial development proposed for the floodplain has been required by the Ministry of Environment to reduce it's footprint by over half. Many communities, including Kelowna, have comprehensive independent sensitive ecosystems inventories in their planning tool box. Councils, taxpayers and developers all benefit from the efficiency of accurate information at the front end of the development process. On November 15, 2010 City Council budgeted $20,000 toward SEI, making charitable receipts possible for contributions to its implementation in 2011.
REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES
RIPARIAN AREAS REGULATION
The purposes of this 2004/5 regulation are to establish directives to protect riparian areas from development so that the areas can provide natural features, functions and conditions that support fish life processes, and to facilitate an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the ministry, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. It was updated in 2010.RIPARIAN AREAS REGULATION GUIDEBOOK
The primary purpose of this 2006 guidebook is to help local governments, landowners, developers, community organizations and Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs): understand legal requirements; understand process, and be aware of measures that can be used in protecting the biological functioning of riparian areas. The guidebook also: provides guidance to ministry staff and others in applying the Regulation; and outlines the roles and responsibilities of governments, QEPs and proponents (landowners and developers) in implementing and complying with the Regulation.RIPARIAN AREAS REGULATION PETITION
This link provides a 2004 review and critique of RAR and its effectiveness.RIPARIAN AREAS REGULATION EXTENSION
This 1998 article was designed to raise awareness of landscape ecology concepts and to provide background for the ecologically based forest management, with a focus on riparian areas.
 Riparian area marker stake from proposed large scale shopping development beside the Salmon River.
|
 Image (June 08) shows cottonwood ecosystem and areas of standing water over most of the subject property. Image (June 08) shows oxbows and channels in the centre of the subject property.
|
FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
An article from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists regarding Flood Hazard and Risk Assessment.BC FLOOD HAZARD AREA GUIDELINES
Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Province of British Columbia.BC Ministry of Environment's Environmental Stewardship Division
WETLAND WAYS 2009: INTERIM GUIDE TO WETLAND PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION IN B.C.
"A healthy natural environment is the foundation of British Columbia's (B.C.'s) economy and quality of life. Wetlands are among the most biologically diverse, productive, and important life support systems on earth. They are integral to the functioning of many important ecosystems and life forms in B.C. They also provide people with a wide range of beneficial services, from flood control and water supply to recreational opportunities. Often, these services are unrecognized and undervalued, leading to the loss or impairment of wetlands - and thus the services they had provided are either costly or impossible to replace."
REPORTS AND ASSESSMENTS
1. SALMON RIVER AND DELTA: INFORMATION REVIEW
BGC Engineering Inc., #500-1045 Howe Street Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6Z 2A92. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND BIOPHYSICAL REVIEW [ Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 ]:
Proposed Development at 2571 and 2971 10th Ave. SW, Salmon Arm, B.C.
Ecoscape Environmental Consultants, 102 - 450 Neave Court, Kelowna, BC V1V 2M2 3. SPRING INVENTORY RESULTS ALONG THE SALMON RIVER, SALMON ARM
Ecoscape Environmental Consultants, 102 - 450 Neave Court, Kelowna, BC V1V 2M24. GEOLOGIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE SALMON RIVER DELTA
Dr. Murray Roed, Geoterrain Consultants, 4890 Westridge Drive, Kelowna, BC V1W 3A1 DEFINITIONS & RESOURCES
COTTONWOOD RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEMS OF THE SOUTHERN INTERIOR
BC Ministry of Environment's Lands and Parks Division, British Columbia Ecosystems at Risk publication
"Why are cottonwood ecosystems at risk? In British Columbia's dry southern interior, black cottonwood forests are found along the banks of streams and lakes where moisture is plentiful. These islands of green in an otherwise arid environment provide crucial habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species. Even if the adjacent land is not developed, once the flooding disturbance is lost it is only a matter of time before the cottonwoods die off and are replaced by other tree or plant species." "The BC Conservation Data Centre has ranked the cottonwood ecosystems of the southern interior among the rarest plant communities of the province. Already reduced to mere fragments, the remaining stands are considered endangered. In the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, fewer than 500 hectares remain, 411 hectares of which is privately owned land. Undisturbed stands make up only a fraction of this total."SPECIES AT RISK & LOCAL GOVERNMENT - A PRIMER FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA
[Hosted by the District of Squamish] British Columbia is home to a wealth of native species and subspecies - more than any other province. They include 1,088 vertebrates, 2,850 vascular plants, 4,500 marine invertebrates and over 35,000 insects. This web site will help you: learn about species at risk and the threats they face, learn which species at risk are in your area, search for species at risk by name or ecosystem type, and learn how Local Governments can help conserve species at risk.THE AQUATIC PARTNERSHIP
TAP is for people who work with aquatic ecosystems in British Columbia. It is a space to share information, work together, and connect around relevant opportunities, events, tools, knowledge, networking, data, and professional development.