Kakwa Provincial Park Background Report Summary

Transcription

1 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary Newsletter #2 Octber 2001 What is Kakwa and hw did we get here? Park establishment The 171,000-hectare Kakwa Prvincial Park fficially came int being in June Its Class-A Prvincial Park status came after mre than 30 years f cnsideratin fr parkland, and fllwing 12 years f designatin as a Recreatin Area. Lcatin and access Situated 180 kilmeters east f the city f Prince Gerge and 70 kilmeters nrth f the twn f McBride, Kakwa Prvincial Park abuts the BC Alberta brder and extends the unbrken chain f Rcky Muntain parks nrthwards by nearly 60 kilmeters. Access within BC is via the Walker Creek Frest Service Rad, that leaves Highway 16 just west f Ptarmigan Creek, abut 70 kilmeters nrthwest f McBride. This graveled rad extends 85 kilmeters frm the highway t the park bundary at Buchanan Creek, althugh the last 12 kilmeters frm Bastille Creek are presently washed ut. Frm Alberta, access is via the Kakwa River Frestry Rad frm Grande Prairie, and thence by ld tte rads that are nw used as trails. Features Kakwa is a large, mstly undisturbed ecsystem that is hme t a wide range f wildlife, including the nrthernmst ppulatin f Rcky Muntain big hrn sheep, as well as grizzly bear, black bear, mse, caribu, muntain gat and many thers. It cntains within its brders a prtin f the Frnt Ranges ecsectin the nly ccurrence in British Clumbia; as well as the mst nrtherly muntains ver 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) in the Canadian Rckies. Kakwa als ffers many backcuntry recreatinal pprtunities that must be balanced with each ther and with the eclgical characteristics f the park. Where d we g frm here? The planning prcess The develpment f a Management Plan fr Kakwa Prvincial Park is the first planning pririty f BC Parks in the Prince Gerge District. T that end, we are seeking yur input and invlvement t help create a lng-range Strategic Management Plan that will prtect the eclgical integrity f the park; and secndly, t identify cmpatible backcuntry recreatin pprtunities within the park. The Management Plan will be ecsystem based. In develping the plan, we will cnsider the adjining Kakwa Wildland and Willmre Wilderness parks in Alberta, as well as land uses surrunding Kakwa in bth prvinces. The Management Plan will recgnize that ecsystems, including watersheds, wildlife, and recreatinal activities, crss park and prvincial bundaries and s are partly dependent n adjining lands. Our first pririty will be t ensure the cntinued eclgical integrity f the area and t manage in the cntext f these surrunding lands. In preparatin fr this planning prcess, we have prepared a Management Plan Backgrund Reprt fr Kakwa. The dcument yu are nw reading is a summary f that reprt and is ne f a series f newsletters that will be published thrughut the planning prcess. The cmplete Backgrund Reprt can be viewed at the District ffice, public libraries, r n BC Parks web site at: A limited number f printed cpies are available. 1

2 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary 2

3 Histrical perspective Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary The Beaver and Carrier First Natins were amng the first peple t use Kakwa; fllwed in the eighteenth century by the Cree, Irquis and Metis wh began t enter the area during the westward expansin f the fur trade. The name, Kakwa is derived frm the Cree wrd fr prcupine. In the winter f 1875, Canadian Pacific Railway surveyr Edward W. Jarvis led a mixed party f native and nn-native men alng the river that nw bears his name, crssing the cntinental divide in the midst f Jarvis Lakes n February 25 th f that year. Frtunately fr the wilderness character f the future park, the grade was t steep fr a railway. Indeed, the valley west f Jarvis Lakes with Munt Ida and the Three Sisters twering abve n its suth side is ne f the mst spectacularly rugged scenes t be fund anywhere. By the early 1900 s, Kakwa had begun attracting internatinal parties intent n big game hunting, explring, climbing and surveying. The unavailability f the Eurpean Alps during the wartime perid f heightened interest in the Canadian Rckies; and Kakwa became accessible t extended hrse packing trips staged frm the new transcntinental railway in what is nw Munt Rbsn Prvincial Park. Kakwa Prvincial Park s highest peak, the glaciated 3,270-meter Munt Sir Alexander, was first climbed in The slightly smaller and mre nrtherly Munt Ida, described and named by Jarvis in 1875, was nt climbed until the 1950 s. Bth are challenging and dramatic-lking peaks: an icefield surrunds Munt Sir Alexander, and the beauty f Munt Ida is revealed in its classic pyramidal shape. Their relatively late first ascents reflect the difficulty f access, a situatin that helped t keep Kakwa in a state f near wilderness fr mst f the twentieth century. In the 1960 s, lgging rads began t be pushed twards Kakwa frm the west. This prmpted a recmmendatin within the Prvincial Parks Branch f the day that the headwaters f Kitchi Creek shuld be examined fr their scenic qualities and recreatin ptential befre the area was cmmitted t lgging. The recmmendatin included an pinin that this was the mst scenic and interesting area in the Prince Gerge vicinity this scenery is enhanced by the snwcap surrunding these peaks in a setting f undisturbed virgin frests. In 1971, the Peace River and Fraser Frt Gerge Reginal Districts prpsed that Kakwa be prtected. As lgging mved clser in the early eighties, BC Parks flagged Kakwa as being f high interest during a Deferred Planning Area prgram. In 1987, it was fficially given Recreatin Area status fllwing recmmendatins f the Prvincial Wilderness Advisry Cmmittee. As a result f recmmendatins made at the public hearings held in Prince Gerge, Kakwa s bundary was extended nrth int the Narraway River drainage t include the significant wildlife and backcuntry recreatin values that exist there. During the decade that fllwed, Kakwa was the centrepiece f prtected area recmmendatins being negtiated in the Prince Gerge Land and Resurce Management Plan. This LRMP was a five-year public land-use planning prcess, and in 1999 Kakwa finally came t fruitin as a Prvincial Park under recmmendatins f the cmbined LRMPs f Prince Gerge and Dawsn Creek. The prgressin frm wild land, t Recreatin Area, t Class-A Prvincial Park cincided with significant and grwing recreatinal use f the area. In additin, a quartzite claim was explred at Babette Lake in the early eighties. A new quartzite quarry was then established at the nearby McGregr Pass, where it is still active. The cmbined frestry and quarry develpments resulted in rugh raded access t Kakwa frm the BC side. On the Alberta side, il and gas explratin were respnsible fr imprved rad access. These changes cincided with the increase in recreatinal use frm bth BC and Alberta, giving rise t bth access and usage issues. These issues necessitated the develpment f interim perating plans fr the Recreatin Area and an increased presence by BC Parks' staff. 3

4 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary Reginal cntext lands adjacent t the park Kakwa Park enjys a biphysical cntinuity with the adjacent lands f Willmre Wilderness Park and Kakwa Wildland Prvincial Park in Alberta. Because f its place in this parkland cmplex it is partly buffered frm surrunding resurce activities. As well, sme adjacent lands in BC are designated fr special management f resurce activities t cnserve ld grwth frest, wildlife habitat and recreatin pprtunities. Cnsequently, there is a cre f trans-prvincial wilderness parkland, surrunded partly by specially managed lands and partly by general resurce lands. Kakwa Wildland Prvincial Park Kakwa Wildland Park lies within the Rcky Muntain fthills, and is situated in alpine and subalpine terrain with extensive frests at lwer elevatins. Kakwa is the majr river draining ut f Kakwa Lake in British Clumbia and flws acrss the nrthern sectin f the park int the Smky River. Fr the mst part, the streams and rivers in the park flw swiftly in deep, narrw valleys that have sme canyn sectins, waterfalls and rapids. Much f the area is in a wilderness cnditin and prvides a nrthward extensin t Willmre Wilderness Park. This undisturbed regin is frequented by mse, deer, caribu, black and grizzly bear and cntains sme f the nrthernmst bighrn sheep range in Alberta. Willmre Wilderness Park Fthills and muntainus terrain with extensive alpine meadws characterize the natural landscape and supprt a wide array f plant cmmunities in transitin acrss the park. The spectacular scenery is ppular fr trail riding and trphy hunting. Wildlife migrates thrugh Willmre and adjacent lands in search f summer and winter range. These include muntain caribu, bighrn sheep, and grizzly bears, and require special management cnsideratin as they crss prvincial and park bundaries. The predminant fish species is bull trut, which is a threatened species in Alberta. Adjacent lands in BC The Prince Gerge LRMP recgnized areas f special interest: The upper Herrick Creek n the nrthwest crner f Kakwa cnserves ld grwth frest, caribu and grizzly bear habitat while prviding pprtunities fr backcuntry recreatin. N timber harvesting is permitted there. The McGregr and Dezaik Ranges abutting Kakwa Park n its suth and west sides have caribu habitat and backcuntry recreatin designated as pririty values. Resurce develpment is permitted prvided measures are in place t prtect these values. The McGregr River zne n the suthwest bundary f Kakwa Park recgnizes integrated management f a wide array f resurce values. Much f this area was clearcut and replanted befre the LRMP was cmpleted and will prvide pprtunities fr cmparative study as it grws back. The Dawsn Creek LRMP recgnized: The area nrth f Kakwa as a Wildlife/Calfield Special Resurce Management Zne. The management directin fr this area recgnizes imprtant habitats fr grizzly bear, Bighrn sheep and ther large mammals, as well as wilderness utdr recreatin experiences. Other key resurce values like timber, il and gas, cal, minerals and cmmercial and mtrized recreatin are als present with ptential fr future develpment. The plan recmmends managing the area t sustain all f these resurce values while recgnizing that this is nt a prtected area. 4

5 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary The Rbsn Valley LRMP recgnized: The Mrkill Resurce Management Zne next t the sutheast tip f Kakwa Park, fr the integratin f fisheries, wildlife, timber, subsurface resurces and turism values, as well as recgnizing its high grizzly bear values. The Bundary / Hrsey Creek Resurce Management Zne, als at the sutheast tip f Kakwa, t ensure that resurce develpment and ther land use activities minimize impacts n high scenery, recreatin, wilderness and envirnmental values within the zne and adjacent park areas. Why is Kakwa special? Gegraphical cntext T answer this key questin, we cnsider what makes it prvincially, natinally and perhaps glbally significant, and hw it fits int this larger scheme. Then, we can lk at its natural resurces and review the striking visual and backcuntry recreatin features that have brught it t the fre as ne f BC s significant parks. Kakwa Park is ntable fr the cnservatin rle it has t ffer thrugh its natural resurces and cnnectins with ther prtected areas. The park reveals striking land frmatins frm spectacular lake and valley systems t high, glaciated peaks that include the mst nrtherly 10,000-fters in the Canadian Rckies. It lies n the brder f British Clumbia and Alberta and, unlike many ther Rcky Muntain parks, rads and ther transprtatin crridrs have nt dissected the park. Wilderness area Kakwa is the terminus f mre than a millin hectares f unraded parkland stretching nrthwards frm Highway 16. This area is the largest blck f prtected wilderness in the central and suthern parts f the cmbined Rckies, BC and Alberta. The chain f parkland cntinues suth f Highway 16 fr a ttal f 600 kilmeters frm Kakwa t Height f the Rckies and Elk Lakes parks in the Ktenays. This cntiguus, nrthwest-trending belt f parks and wilderness areas includes Ktenay, Yh, Banff, and Jasper Natinal Parks, BC s Munt Rbsn Prvincial Park, and Alberta s Willmre Wilderness and Kakwa Wildland Prvincial Parks. The latter tw parks cnnect with Kakwa Prvincial Park n its eastern brder. Due t Kakwa s utstanding features and intercnnectedness with these ther prtected areas, Kakwa Prvincial Park is prpsed fr inclusin in the Canadian Rcky Muntains Wrld Heritage Site. Parks system significance Kakwa is an imprtant cmpnent f British Clumbia s park system: It represents the nly Frnt Ranges ecsectin in the prvince. The Frnt Ranges cnsist f runded ridges and peaks f limestne, hundreds f millins f years ld; and parallel valleys underlain with yunger shale. In additin t the Frnt Ranges, Kakwa has ne f the best representatins f the Hart Ranges and tgether they prvide habitat that is imprtant t muntain gats, as well as thse species that migrate thrugh including grizzly bears and caribu. The Frnt Ranges is hst t the nrthernmst herd f Rcky Muntain big hrn sheep. Kakwa is a wild and undevelped predatr/prey ecsystem with imprtant wildlife travel rutes including Jarvis Pass, McGregr Pass-Kakwa Lake, Prvidence Pass and Sheep Pass. It cntains the headwaters f numerus rivers that flw t bth the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. 5

6 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary Extensive alpine meadws and ridges. Imprtant fssils and cave systems. Thrugh its linkage with the chain f Rcky Muntain parks, Kakwa prvides a travel crridr fr the many wildlife species that d nt recgnize human bundaries. This linkage is als f benefit t backcuntry recreatin enthusiasts; fr example, the nrthern terminus f the Great Divide Trail lies within the park. Fr this reasn, the future management f Kakwa Park must be examined nt nly at a lcal level, but als in a brader cntext. Kakwa prvides pprtunities fr a wide variety f wilderness dependent recreatin activities. Principal features f Kakwa: Natinally and internatinally significant Munts Sir Alexander and Ida mst nrtherly Rcky Muntain peaks ver 10,000 feet. Mst nrtherly range f Rcky Muntain bighrn sheep. Large undisturbed cnservatin zne fr large carnivres including grizzly bears (which may migrate t feed n Chink salmn) and wlves -- a cmplete guild f carnivres in an intact Rcky Muntain ecsystem. Triassic fish fssil sites. Karst terrain and caves. Crss-sectin f the Rcky Muntains cmbining breal, mntane and taiga tree species. Nrthern end f cntiguus 600-kilmeter stretch f Rcky Muntain parks. Backcuntry recreatin activities include muntaineering, backpacking and hiking; hrse riding and hunting; snwmbiling; caving; skiing. Part f the largest prtected wilderness area in suthern Canada. Prvincially, reginally and lcally significant Spectacular sectin f the Rcky Muntains with many peaks, ridges, glaciers, cirques, alpine meadws, lakes, rivers, falls and valleys, with striking and ften cntrasting relief. Only representatin f the Frnt Ranges ecsectin in British Clumbia and ne f the best representatins f the Hart Ranges ecsectin. High capability habitat fr muntain gats, and gd habitat fr grizzly bears, caribu, mse and bull trut. The Kakwa Lake area is a majr trans-muntain crridr fr grizzly bears and ther wildlife. The Narraway watershed has gd pprtunities fr hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, and caving; and it includes the prvincially significant Narraway Falls. Kitchi Creek prtects an islated ppulatin f Duglas Fir and ther eclgical features, and was earlier prpsed as an eclgical reserve. Representatin f Engelmann Spruce Subalpine Fir zne. Cmmercial and general backcuntry recreatin pprtunities. Large, mstly undevelped and unraded wilderness. Natural resurces and cnservatin values Physical gegraphy Straddling the Cntinental Divide, Kakwa prvides striking cntrasts between the rugged glaciated peaks and deep valleys f its western side, and the rlling alpine meadws and pen valleys f the central and eastern sectins. The western side f the Divide ranges in elevatin frm 1,000 meters in the Jarvis Creek valley t ver 6

7 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary 3,048 meters arund Munt Ida and Munt Sir Alexander. Glaciers and very steep cliffs cver much f the terrain n this side f the park; while n the eastern side f the Divide, valley bttms becme pen revealing large water bdies and intercnnected meadws. Gelgy Kakwa Prvincial Park cntains a full range f the gelgical frmatins that are fund in the Rcky Muntains. Limestne and fragmented sedimentary rcks underlie the park, ranging in age frm lder than half a billin years t a little ver 100 millin years. Significant gelgical features The discvery f well-preserved Triassic fish fssils in the park is f internatinal significance. There are fewer than 20 areas thrughut the wrld which huse similar fssils and nly six lcalities that have yielded mre than five classes. Thus far, several types f bny fish have been identified in Kakwa. Due t the sensitive nature f the sites, the lcatins will remain prtected and pen nly t scientific study. Many caves have frmed in the park s limestne, ften alng cntact lines with the same quartzite that gave rise t the tw quarrying ventures in the park. Many f these caves are unexplred and thers are likely t be fund. Cave resurgences, r places where undergrund streams reappear at the surface, are cmmn features f the Munt Sir Alexander and Munt Ida areas. Evlutin f the land frms Ice sheets cvered Kakwa Park 10,000 t 20,000 years ag during the last glaciatin perid, knwn as the Wiscnsin. During that time tw majr ice sheets cated western Canada: the Laurentide and the Crdilleran. The Laurentide riginated in the eastern part f the Nrthwest Territries and mved suthwest, while the Crdilleran riginated frm the west-suthwest and flwed nrtheast acrss the muntains nt the plains f Alberta. The gradual meeting f these ice sheets created the deep wide valleys in the park, and the cirques and residual glaciers fund alng the nrtheast facing slpes f the Cntinental Divide. Kakwa has all the usual characteristics f glaciated scenery fund in the Rcky Muntains. Sils Sils in Kakwa Park are generally cmprised f fine glacial till depsits in lwer elevatin and flatter terrain, and landslide and glacial mraine depsits clser t the muntains and the glaciers. The areas f fine silt are prne t mucking and ersin, especially in cmbinatin with late snw melt and summer rains. Wet meadws, cmmn in the nrtheast half f the park, are muddy and easily damaged, fr example by hrse use at Kakwa Pass. Climate Because f its cmplex climatic cnditins, weather in Kakwa Park can be unstable. Variables include elevatin, terrain and the influence f majr weather systems. During the summer seasn, air frm the Pacific Ocean is misture-laden and is captured n the western side f the Cntinental Divide, allwing warm dry air t suspend ver the east fringe f the ranges. Thrughut the winter mnths arctic air flwing suth causes unrelenting cnditins n the eastern sectin f the divide as it hits the barrier caused by the muntain range. The area generally experiences a high snwfall. 7

8 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary Water Kakwa Park is situated n the Cntinental Divide, and cnsequently its rivers drain bth nrth t the Arctic Ocean and west t the Pacific Ocean. The area encmpasses the headwaters f the McGregr River, a majr tributary f the Fraser. Kakwa River and Narraway River drain east and nrth f the Rcky Muntains, where they prvide an imprtant surce t the Prairies. Rugged muntains frm a picturesque backdrp t subalpine lakes such as Kakwa, Jarvis, Cecilia, Dimsdale and Babette. The watersheds are fed by snw accumulated ver the winter mnths and later in the seasn by melting glaciers. Water quality infrmatin has nt been cllected, but quality shuld be gd in a lightly used muntain area. Increasing vlume f snwmbile use may warrant mnitring, especially at Kakwa Lake. Bilgy Flra The vegetatin msaic in Kakwa prvides a wide variety f wildlife habitats. The dminant znes f Kakwa Park are the Sub-Breal Frest that cvers apprximately half f the area at lwer elevatins and the Alpine Tundra at higher levels. The frested area is mainly Engelmann-Spruce Subalpine Fir, with Interir Cedar-Hemlck present in the lwer prtins f the Jarvis and Kitchi Creek valleys. There is als a small pcket f Duglas Fir in the Kitchi Creek valley. These interir wet belt and sub-breal znes are affected by the westerly airflw that delivers cnsiderable misture t the suthwest side f the park. The high muntains that make up the Divide frm the transitin between British Clumbia s wet interir and BC s nly representatin f the Frnt Ranges ecsectin. The Divide als marks the shift t the dry fthills f nrthern Alberta. There are extensive alpine meadws n the eastern side f the Divide. These respnd negatively t disturbance and require a lng time frame, decades r even centuries, t recver t their natural state. The nrth side f the McGregr frm Jarvis t Kitchi Creek has been lgged in the past; therwise the vegetatin cver in the park is undisturbed except fr lcalized impacts at ppular campsites, alng hiking and snwmbile trails, and at the Wishaw quarry. Fauna Wildlife research has s far been spradic, mstly habitat capability and gegraphic use rather than numbers. During the winter mnths, harsh climatic cnditins and deep snw displace many animals frm the area. Key species cmmnly seen by visitrs during summer mnths are: Grizzly Bears and Black Bears The bears in Kakwa benefit frm excellent habitat in the park, and the fact that the area has nt been significantly fragmented by human disturbance. As a result, there are gd numbers f bears, with black bears being mre cmmn at lwer elevatins. Grizzly bears use lw and high elevatin habitats thrughut the seasns, but are at higher elevatins in the summer. Grizzly bears require large spaces, and in Kakwa the frested valley bttms f the McGregr, Kakwa, Narraway and Belcurt Rivers prvide gd habitat due t their mderate relief and elevatin. Recent studies shw that Kakwa Lake is n a majr trans-muntain crridr fr grizzly bears, wlves, caribu and ther wildlife. Grizzly bears are using sme f the park trails and ld rads fr travel but mst avid the main park facilities at the suth end f Kakwa Lake. Research is als being dne t determine whether grizzlies 8

9 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary migrate in late summer and fall t feed n salmn in the Fraser River system. This habitat and bear mvement data will be used t help BC Parks minimize bear-human cnflicts. Muntain Gats Occupying high muntain crags thrughut the park, muntain gats are a majr wintering wildlife species in Kakwa Park and are the mst widely distributed f the muntain ungulates. The Management Plan will cnsider the impact f winter recreatin activities n these animals. In the cntext f summer recreatin, the main access rute int Kakwa, the Wishaw Mine Rad, crsses a summer gat migratin rute. Rcky Muntain Bighrn Sheep On the pen alpine ridges and basins in the nrtheast crner f Kakwa Park and acrss the brder in Alberta, is the mst nrtherly band f Rcky Muntain bighrn sheep. Micrclimate plays an imprtant rle in their selectin f areas, such as alng rivers r creeks. Mst sheep ranges are within easy reach f cliffs, with avalanche chutes and talus slpes used t escape frm predatrs. This species, like thers in Kakwa Park, cntinues t be f great imprtance due t the migratin acrss park bundaries. Muntain Caribu Caribu are frequent visitrs t the muntainus areas f Kakwa and adjacent parks. Seasnal migratin brings them frm the fthills arund Grand Cache int the park during the spring and summer mnths, the primary factr affecting their migratin being snw cnditins. The number f animals is small; the ppulatin in Alberta has declined twice in the last 50 years frm 2,000 animals t a few hundred, and is als cnsidered vulnerable in the Rbsn Valley. Other ungulates: Elk, Mse and ther deer Small numbers f elk ccur within Kakwa Park arund the Narraway and Edgegrain drainages as well as in the Sheep Pass and Intersectin Muntain area. Mse are frequently seen during the summer, and appear t be the mst cmmn large mammal in the park. Tracks are fund in the valleys, marshes and lwer muntainus slpes, but are scarce in the alpine areas. Prime mse feeding habitat ccurs in the lake shallws and at several mineral licks thrughut the park. On the western side f the park, Mse spend their winters dwnstream in the McGregr River valley due t excessive snw depths in Kakwa Park, returning in the summer and fall mnths. Numbers f mule and white-tailed deer als ccur within the park. Birds A wide variety f birds can be seen in Kakwa, typical f muntainus areas. These include glden eagles, bald eagles, hawks, belted kingfishers, sptted sandpipers, phalarpes, ruffed gruse, willw ptarmigan, diving ducks, glden-crwned sparrws, savannah sparrws, hrned larks and many thers. Fr a mre detailed list f bird species bserved in Kakwa Park refer t the Master Plan Backgrund Reprt. Amphibians and reptiles There are n reptiles catalgued in Kakwa Park, and the nly amphibian knwn t inhabit the area is the breal tad that ccupies frests and bgs thrughut the park. Fish Prir t the 1980 s, fishing in Kakwa was rated pr t fair. Then in 1981 and 1983 befre Kakwa became a Recreatin Area Cecilia and Kakwa Lakes were stcked with rainbw trut fry. Since then, a self-sustaining rainbw trut ppulatin has emerged and cntributes t present-day thriving angling activities in Kakwa. Other fish species have been reprted in the waters f Kakwa Park including arctic grayling and bull trut, species f special cncern and sensitive t habitat disturbance. 9

10 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary Eclgy Kakwa Prvincial Park is a large area whse ecsystems extend beynd its bundaries, and is cmparatively little disturbed cmpared t sme f the surrunding resurce lands. It includes the muntain headwaters f rivers draining t bth the Arctic and the Pacific ceans, and extensive intact frests. Factrs such as climate, sil, elevatin and misture cnditins mean that five f British Clumbia s bigeclimatic znes are represented in the park. These, in turn, prvide a wide range f habitats that supprt a variety f species. Except pssibly fr gats, ppulatins f large animals mve acrss park bundaries and d nt spend the full year in the park. Kakwa is a fully functining predatr/prey ecsystem that supprts all the animal species typical f the area. These factrs, cmbined with its cnnectivity with ther Rcky Muntain parks, mean that prspects are gd t achieve BC Park s gal f maintaining eclgical integrity that is t say, a fully functining ecsystem with all elements intact. Preserving the eclgical integrity f the park is the primary gal f the Management Plan. Cultural values Explrers in the early twentieth century reprted evidence f ld hunting camps and trails. Abriginal peple visited the area fr hunting, and passes were ccasinally used fr trading between the Peace and Fraser River watersheds. There have been n frmal archelgical investigatins, and n archelgical sites are knwn. The first knwn peple in Kakwa were the Beaver and Carrier, fllwed by the Cree, Irquis and Metis during the westward expansin f the fur trade in the late eighteenth century. It was thrugh the intrductin f the furtrade that the lifestyles f these grups were mdified frm a hunter and gatherer sciety t trading furs fr supplies. After the Jarvis and Haningtn party f 1875, ther Eurpean explrers arrived in the area as members f hunting and survey parties. Visual and recreatin values Visual features Visitrs t Kakwa Park enjy superb muntain scenery, blue lakes, glaciers and spectacular alpine meadws. Tw high muntain peaks dminate the area. Munt Sir Alexander reaches 3,270 meters and is surrunded by glaciers. 3,180-meter Munt Ida has a classically beautiful pyramid-shape, especially when viewed acrss Jarvis Lakes r frm Mnias Pass. Kakwa s visual appeal is enhanced by the cntrast between the cmparatively lw rlling hills f the nrtheast and the high peaks f the suthwest. This is typical f the Frnt Ranges, and is ne f the nly places in BC where a difference f 1,500 t 2,100 meters is as apparent. The effect is that an bserver in the alpine meadws always has a wide panrama f snw-clad peaks as a backdrp. One f the best visual features is the abundance f frests, plants and animals that a visitr is likely t encunter thrughut the park. Recreatinal features Kakwa is a wilderness area, adjacent t thers, that is ideal fr backcuntry recreatinal use. The mst ppular destinatins are Kakwa, Cecilia and Jarvis Lakes, frm which there are excellent day trip pprtunities. The cre area is at the suth end f Kakwa Lake where the park headquarters and main campsites are lcated, and despite the existence f these basic facilities this is still wild cuntry that visitrs will ften share nly with its wildlife. Recreatinal features include: Hiking and backpacking : Primitive trails and rutes radiate ut frm Kakwa Lake thrugh valleys and t alpine meadws, prviding many pprtunities fr day hikes and vernight trips. Extended backpacking and 10

11 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary wilderness camping trips prvide a means t experience mst f what the park has t ffer. Kakwa is als hst t the nrth end f Great Divide Trail, which fllws generally alng the spine f the Rckies and prvides pprtunities fr lnger backpacking trips utside the park bundaries. Muntaineering: Climbing pprtunities exist n the park s high peaks and glaciers. Hrses: Kakwa prvides gd pprtunities fr trail rides and hrse packing trips. Many f the trails in the valleys, arund the majr lakes, and thrugh muntain passes were riginally develped thrugh hrse use. Hunting: This is anther traditinal use fr the area, especially fr bighrn sheep in the nrtheast. Kakwa and Cecilia watersheds are clsed fr hunting, as they are the main areas used fr general recreatin. Fishing: Enthusiasts may chse frm Kakwa, Cecilia, Dimsdale and Babette Lakes, with Kakwa Lake being the mst ppular. Snwmbiling: This has becme a ppular winter recreatinal use f the park frm bth BC and Alberta, mstly in the Kakwa, Cecilia and Jarvis Lakes areas. There are many pen ridges and meadws, and there is sme spring use n the snwfields f the higher peaks. Nrth f the Divide, areas abve 1,400 meters are clsed frm May t Nvember t avid disturbing wildlife. Backcuntry skiing, snwsheing and winter camping: Gd pprtunities exist, althugh current access limitatins may require the use f aircraft r snwmbile t reach the park. Caving: The caves f Kakwa Park are nly partially explred, r unexplred, r yet t be discvered. Extreme hazards exist in these recently glaciated cave systems, and they are best entered nly in the cmpany f an experienced caving grup. Phtgraphy and natural histry: Gd pprtunities exist thrughut the park, cmbined with many f the abve activities. Cmmercial backcuntry recreatin: Operatrs have permits fr trail riding, llama assisted hiking, guided hunting, and drp ff flights t Kakwa Lake. Current Uses Recreatin Present summer and fall activities include wilderness camping, hiking, climbing, hrse travel, hunting, fishing, and caving. Winter and spring activities include snwmbiling, skiing, climbing, caving, and winter camping. Existing methds f tallying visitrs are by vlunteer hsts in the summer, ccasinal ranger patrls, and a vluntary guest registratin bk at the Kakwa Lake ranger cabin. Statistics are nt cmplete, but the numbers shw a few backcuntry users appearing in June and July, with visitrs peaking at ver 150 in August and gradually falling ff t belw 50 in September and early Octber. In the winter and spring mnths, large numbers f snwmbiles (100 t 200 machines) use the park at peak perids such as Easter. Facilities Presently limited t infrmal campsites, trails and cabins arund Kakwa and Jarvis Lakes. Cmmercial tenures Traplines, hunting guide/utfitting, llama assisted hiking, muntain guides, air access. 11

12 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary Mineral claims Quartzite quarry near Wishaw Lake. Access rad Used fr quarry peratins at Wishaw Lake. Planning issues The develpment f a Management Plan fr Kakwa Prvincial Park is ne f BC Parks' highest pririties. The Management Plan will cnsider the fllwing pririties and issues. BC Parks and the public may identify further planning issues and suggest ways t deal with them during the prcess. Eclgical integrity Identify eclgical integrity and hw t maintain it in Kakwa. Cnsider Kakwa s rle as part f the larger prtected wilderness area f the Rcky Muntain chain f parks. Recgnize and manage the special features that make Kakwa an imprtant member f the prvincial park system: high peaks; Frnt Ranges; key wildlife species; interprvincial wildlife mvements; crss-sectin f Rcky Muntains; fssils, and alpine meadws. Cnsider sund resurce management f wildlife, frests, meadws and water. Apply a precautinary principle in situatins where there is limited natural resurce inventry infrmatin available. Recreatin Determine cmpatible types, amunts and lcatins f recreatin use. Decide n an apprpriate rle fr cmmercial recreatin and turism, in cnsideratin f pprtunities available thrughut the regin. Cnsider the cmmercial and nn-cmmercial use f hrses and llamas in the park. Cnsider apprpriate mtrized and mechanized use, including snwmbiles, muntain bikes, flatplanes and helicpters. Prvide guidelines as t what level and type f park facility r interpretive develpment is apprpriate. Bear-peple cnflict preventin Few bear-human cnflicts have ccurred in the past in Kakwa. A bear-hazard study is nearing cmpletin fr the cre area f the park that will help t minimize ptential cnflicts with grizzly bears. The study will recmmend careful management f mst trails t minimize the risk f encunters, as well as the relcatin f 12

13 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary ne campsite alng Kakwa Lake. Fd and garbage management shuld als be imprved, with bear-prf caches recmmended at all established campsites. Access Determine what access is apprpriate t the park, and what if any develpment is desirable. Resurce extractin Review existing resurce extractin: Wishaw quarry; trapping; hunting; fishing. Cperative management Cnsider cperative, trans-bundary wildlife and recreatin management effrts with Willmre Wilderness Park and Kakwa Wildland Park in Alberta. Crdinate management with Alberta Parks, the Ministry f Frests, BC Assets and Lands (fr cmmercial recreatin tenures,) and the Ministry f the Envirnment. Prmtin Cnsider the manner in which the park is prmted t the lcal and traveling public, taking int accunt the directin f the park plan and lcal and reginal turism effrts already in place. LRMP recmmendatins The Prince Gerge LRMP, in recmmending Kakwa fr prtectin, gave nly very limited directin as t permitted uses within the park. Trapping and cmmercial guiding (nn-hunting) are recmmended uses, while all thers are deferred t BC Parks planning prcess i.e. t this prcess. The Dawsn Creek LRMP, in recmmending the nrthern extensin f Kakwa fr prtectin, endrsed the standard cmpatible uses f prtected areas, with the exceptin f allwing snwmbiling within designated areas, and recgnizing trapping as an acceptable use. The plan als nted that sme types f mtrized recreatinal vehicles and bats may be restricted either by type f vehicle, time f year, r areas designated fr use, thse restrictins being develped thrugh this public planning prcess. The Rbsn Valley LRMP recmmends integrating uses n lands adjacent t the sutheast tip f Kakwa t ensure that resurce develpment and ther land use activities minimize impacts n high scenery, recreatin, wilderness and envirnmental values. Impact assessment Befre any prpsed activities r facilities are adpted in the plan, an impact assessment must be cmpleted. Cnclusin Kakwa Prvincial Park is a special place that already receives a wide range f enthusiastic visitrs frm BC, Alberta, and arund the wrld. It rivals the beauty and grandeur f the natinal parks t the suth, with the added 13

14 Kakwa Prvincial Park Backgrund Reprt Summary aspect f being almst entirely undevelped. One can still experience what it might have been like in Jasper and Banff in the year Our gal, as we embark n the planning prcess, is t find a way t keep the sense f wildness in Kakwa while making this wilderness available t cmpatible use. Our challenge is t maintain the eclgical integrity f this sensitive muntain envirnment and find an apprpriate balance f recreatinal use thrugh this public prcess. 14