The Okanagan’s stunning landscape, strong economy, and unique culture are deeply intertwined with our beautiful, expansive lakes.
Unfortunately, these vital natural assets are facing significant damage from misuse.
We need to act now before it’s too late.
This is the fourth part of my Protecting Our Lakes series (you can find parts one through three through a search at vernonmorningstar.com).
This article focuses specifically on waterfront properties.
It might seem obvious that no one should be building, developing or storing items on floodplains or in riparian areas (along shorelines), yet with ever increasingly frequent flood years, we see all sorts of structures and equipment — shacks, farm sprayers, old vehicles, etc. sitting in water and mud.
These items can leach toxins directly into the water eventually polluting our beloved lakes.
You can report these infractions to 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) Report all Poachers and Polluters.Beyond visible debris, seemingly small projects can have a massive cumulative impact.
Wood preservatives from docks and walls leach into the water polluting it.
Docks and shoreline retaining walls often disrupt natural water circulation and alter the functioning of the shoreline, especially during construction.
Activities like dredging, excavating in water, installing pipes or culverts in streams and building shoreline retaining walls may appear minor individually. However, their accumulative impacts are immense, destroying vital habitats for waterfowl, fish, crayfish, clams and other wildlife.
The best approach is to maintain native trees, shrubs, and other vegetation in riparian areas — our shorelines and waterways.
This natural vegetation prevents soil erosion by anchoring slopes and shoreline banks, filters pollutants and chemicals – preventing them from entering lakes and streams, acts like a sponge – absorbing water and releasing it slowly (which helps prevent flooding), creates shade – keeping water cool enough to inhibit bacteria and algae growth, and provides crucial habitat and food for Kokanee and other fish, eagles, osprey, shorebirds, and a wide array of other wildlife.
Additionally, we need to eliminate or improve the design and maintenance of septic systems which can contribute to algae and bacteria growth in our waterways and lakes.
If you have wetlands on your property, it’s essential to maintain or restore them.
For excellent guidance, check out the Okanagan Lakeshore Living Guide at OBWB.ca/tools.
This invaluable resource was created for property owners who are fortunate enough to live along our shorelines and are committed to protecting their property from flooding and wave erosion, safeguarding drinking water, and preserving natural areas for future generations.
The combination of increased watershed disturbance — from population growth to toxic herbicides, and the increasing size, intensity and frequency of wildfires — is wreaking havoc on our lakes.
Let’s become more aware and take action before it’s too late.
Please share this information with any property owners who could benefit from it. Thanks!
With files from the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB). Roseanne Van Ee enthusiastically shares her knowledge of the outdoors to help readers experience and enjoy nature. Follow her on Facebook.
