The Christina Lake Stewardship Society (CLSS) is a non-profit charitable organization which was established in January of 2001 (Committee Est. 1994). Over the years the Society has been involved in several projects such as the Christina Lake Tributary Study, Fish and Fish Habitat Inventory, and the Christina Lake Watershed Management Plan which is now in its fifth year of implementation. We are now currently working on the Christina Lake Foreshore Mapping and Inventory Project which will be completed in November of 2009 with monitoring continuing on an ongoing basis.
The Society officially opened their office in January of 2001—the Community Stewardship Resource Centre (CSRC). The Centre houses a public resource library, which has all relevant reports, maps and data for the Christina Lake Watershed to date. Several programs have been developed through the Centre such as the Young Stewards of the Boundary, the Annual Lake Cleanup Day, and the Annual Watershed Management Plan Review. As well, we facilitate workshops such as Boundary Fisheries Night, H2O, Riparian Awareness, Foreshore Protection, and Bear Awareness— just to name a few.
The Society also monitors Sutherland, McRae and Sandner Creeks and performs annual enumerations for stream and shore spawning kokanee. The Christina Lake water quality monitoring and sampling program is performed in partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Environment.
Click on the many links to the left and right to find out more.
Summer 2010 Projects
North Bay Buoy Project
Over the years there has been a rising level of concern from our community members pertaining to habitat degradation of the North Bay Wetland and neighboring Kokanee and Rainbow Trout spawning habitat in Sandner Creek. Therefore, the Christina Lake Stewardship Society (CLSS) has initiated a multi-partnership wetland protection project. This important initiative headed by the Society includes support and partnerships involving BC Parks, Grace McGregor – Director Area C Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (grant in aid $2,000.00), and the Grand Forks Credit Union (a donation of $2,000.00). The CLSS has also received generous donations from Individuals and the Granby Wilderness Society ($500.00). Our collective goal is to protect the North Bay Wetland and Sandner Creek by minimizing the negative impacts of motor boat traffic on aquatic and riparian habitat within these sensitive areas (which includes many species at risk). Limiting boat traffic in this shallow bay will reduce wildlife disturbance and maintain important habitat for a myriad of species such as the Western Painted Turtle, Bald Eagles, Blue Heron, Grizzly Bears, Black Bears, and several fish species. Limiting boat traffic will also slow the spread of the introduced and very invasive aquatic plant “Eurasian Watermilfoil”, which currently threatens to encroach into nearby littoral habitat areas within Gladstone Provincial Park – most notably, the area around the mouth of Sandner Creek which historically is among the most important stream spawning Kokanee habitat on Christina Lake. Click to download a poster for more info.
New Informational Kiosk at RDKB Boat Launch
A new informational kiosk has been built at the RDKB boat launch next to the Christina Lake Marina.
Summer 2009
Click on the Fish Inventory link and then download the Christina Lake Fish Species Bulletin.