Nominations for BC's Most Endangered Rivers for 2006
Posted on January 19th, 2006 by Dawn Hanna, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC

It's that time of year again - the time when we take stock of the many rivers, creeks and streams in our province and look at which ones need our help the most. We're looking for nominations for BC's most endangered rivers for 2006. Below is a list of the top ten rivers that made the list in 2005. (For more information, you can also go to our website)

To nominate a river, creek, stream or other waterway for consideration for the 2006 list, just tell us the name of the waterway, what the major threats are to it and what suggestions you would have to improve the state of that river or creek.

By highlighting BC's rivers at risk, we can help the public become more aware of these beautiful natural legacies and ways to help them remain healthy.

Thank you.

Dawn Hanna
Executive director, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC
(604) 737-3058
orc@intergate.ca

Past top ten endangered rivers

1. Fraser River (excessive gravel extraction with adverse impacts on fish spawning, missing sockeye salmon, low summer flows, sewage, agricultural impacts).
2. Taku River (habitat loss through road and mine construction, acid mine drainage)
3. Greater Georgia Basin Steelhead Streams (low summer flows, increasing water temperatures, riparian habitat loss, water extraction, destabilization of steep banks)
4. Nicola and Coldwater rivers (excessive water extraction, low summer flows, increasing water temperatures)
5. Chillwack / Vedder rivers (urban development on agricultural land without adequate riparian protection, gravel removal, lack of corridor planning)
6. Coquitlam River (sediment loads from gravel mining, rapid urbanization and urban run-off)
7. Okanagan River (channelization, water extraction, urban encroachment, habitat loss, dams and weirs altering river flows)
8. Kettle River (independent power project threatening species at risk)
9. Salmon River, Langley (manure contamination, falling water tables, excessive water extraction, urban development, proposed dredging)
10. (tied) Goat River (extensive logging, road-building close to river)
    (tied) Iskut River (proposed independent power project, road development)

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