Wildsight´s Lake Windermere Project
Lake Windermere is located in the western trench of the Rocky Mountains in Southeastern British Columbia. Internationally regarded as one the last intact wetland systems in North America, the biologically diverse Columbia Wetlands boarder Lake Windermere and form the headwaters of the Columbia River, the largest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean from North America. The Columbia River system is the primary source of fresh water to over 15 million people.
The Lake Windermere Project is a partnership of government agencies, First Nations, organizations and local citizens. Following the 2004 Living Lakes conference held in Invermere, B.C., Wildsight, a local non-profit, environmental organization, developed the program in response to growing public demand for a comprehensive water stewardship initiative.
Lake Windermere is one of the most intensely utilized water resources as a result of increasing recreation and development pressures. The boom of the oil based economy in the neighbouring province of Alberta has allowed for the establishment of 2nd and 3rd homes in this recreation destination area. Amenity migration has stretched this area’s natural resources and impacted it’s scarce water resources. Lake Windermere has recently experienced a collapse in the Burbot (lota lota) fishery. Because Burbot are a top predator, the health of their population is a good indication of the health of the ecosystem as a whole.
