The Columbia Basin Water Hub acknowledges that the data stored on this web atlas is collected from the unceded traditional territories of the Ktunaxa, Lheidli T’enneh, Secwepemc, Sinixt and Syilx Nations who have stewarded these lands for generations. Through the Columbia Basin Water Hub, the Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Collaborative is making critical water data readily available for the development of a Basin-wide water balance approach for subsequent water budgeting needed by decision makers for watershed management in an era of climate change impacting hydrological flows. Water data is important given the mounting pressures on increased freshwater needs, for not only human and industrial uses, but also for functioning ecosystems.
The Columbia Basin Water Hub at https://data.cbwaterhub.ca/ is a central place to access all water related data relevant to the Columbia Basin that has been shared by community groups and or local, regional and First Nation governments. Through this database, a range of datasets, including water quantity and quality, groundwater, snow surveys, glacier studies, wetland related literature and studies and various other forms of knowledge will be available. In this way, data collected over the years will be housed in a central repository and not get lost or disappear once data collection has concluded.
In the Foreshore Integrated Management Planning Atlas, Foreshore Inventory and Mapping methods were used to compile important shoreline environmental information for selected lakes. Foreshore Inventory and Mapping assists managers, planners and communities in identification of conservation areas, land-use planning and development of regulations and standards and policies, leading to improved scientific knowledge as the basis for decision-making. Foreshore Inventory Management Plans (FIMP) provide a cumulative impact assessment and foreshore habitat sensitivity index that identify opportunities for conservation, enhancement and restoration initiatives and guide development.
A Habitat Index provides a cumulative impact assessment that guides development and provides opportunities for conservation, enhancement and restoration initiatives. Identification of zones of sensitivity on the inventoried lakes are essential for the long term maintenance of fish and/or wildlife values through both a Habitat Index analysis process and a zones of sensitivity analysis. These areas include most tributary outlets, wildlife corridors, contiguous wetlands, in-lake wetlands, natural grasslands, cliff/bluffs, important gravel/cobble areas used by burbot, kokanee or other species for spawning/rearing and areas of high productivity such as mussel beds. A video tutorial is available to show you some tips and tricks to navigate your way around the Foreshore Integrated Management Planning Atlas.
If you have resources or datasets you would like to contribute to the Water Hub or have any questions, please refer to our Help section or email:
Database Manager: [email protected]
Database Assistant: [email protected]
