Mission Creek Restoration
Photo: Mission Creek Restoration Initiative
After successfully completing the first phase of the Mission Creek restoration initiative, the partners are now working on a two-year plan to guide future restoration efforts in lower Mission Creek.
The new plan will receive contributions from federal and provincial governments, the Central Okanagan Regional Unit, Kelowna City, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, Friends of Mission Creek, and the Central Okanagan Land Trust.
Further monitoring plans for 2020 include evaluating the effectiveness of the reset dike and the floodplain, as well as observing possible changes within the main canal and renaturation structures due to spring runoff.
The crews will also evaluate the effectiveness of the large bouldering clusters in lower Mission Creek in 2019; designed to improve the breeding habitat for rainbow trout, kokanee and various other native fish species.
Monitoring the initiative’s continued success will ensure the environmental, recreational and economic benefits continue, says project coordinator Steve Matthews.
“Since the reorganization of the dykes and the construction of floodplains in 2015 and 2016, we have been concentrating every year on refining the newly established habitats for fish and wild animals so that they function more naturally. This year’s Kokanee and Rainbow Trout Monitoring will provide important information on the habitat benefits resulting from the restoration work and the effects of flow changes within the creek canal.
“This work, combined with the development of a broad-based conservation and restoration plan for Mission Creek, will be key to directing future MCRI efforts.”
Primary funding for this year’s activities was provided by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
Visit the MCRI website for more information.
