Shuswap River watershed project to benefit spawning chinook salmon

Photo: Contributed

A riparian restoration project in the Shuswap River watershed aims to benefit spawning chinook salmon by preventing water temperatures from warming in strategic locations.

Bessette Creek experiences high water temperature in late summer and early fall, which coincides with the spawning migration of the chinook.

The Okanagan Nation Alliance leads the project with funding from the fish and wildlife compensation program.

It will point to key areas where revegetation can mitigate rising stream temperatures, and then focus on site-specific planning and landowner engagement.

“Chinook are returning in low numbers,” says Julie Fournier, FWCP’s coastal region manager. “Building on data from mapping projects and temperature studies will make it possible to target the areas where revegetation can have the most benefit for chinook.”

This and 31 other fish and wildlife projects have been approved, as well as $2.4 million for 2021-2022.

The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries & Oceans Canada, First Nations, and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams.