Be advised that during the summer months between June and September, the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) will be conducting annual research and monitoring along the Okanagan Lake and River system (including connecting lakes and tributaries). Similar to previous years, sampling activities will involve/occur:

• in-lake and along shore lines
• at various times during the day/night
• from boats with high powered lights
• in-river and along bank lines
• by foot (with crews of two or more)
• in trucks with ONA logo

Advanced awareness of our seasonal operations can assist in public awareness to persons observing and or reporting ONA activities. These operations are well known to the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Federal Fisheries authorities.

Summer projects of the Okanagan Nation Alliance will include:

• Limnology sampling on Okanagan, Skaha, Osoyoos, Mabel, and Nicola Lakes; all sampling usually occurs between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
• Acoustic-trawl surveys on Skaha, Osoyoos, Mabel, and Nicola Lakes; sampling is usually conducted between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am.
• Gill-net surveys on Skaha Lake; sampling typically conducted between 6:00 am and 12:00 am.
• Okanagan Basin Monitoring Evaluation Program (OBMEP) – physical monitoring of Okanagan River and tributary sites all summer. Sampling usually occurs between 8:00am – 5:00pm.
• Monitoring fish passage at Skaha Dam in Okanagan Falls during mid to late September (depending on flows). Sampling usually occurs between 6:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Monitoring fish passage with DIDSON acoustics at Hwy 3 bridge in Osoyoos. Equipment and crews in place in July, operation 24hrs/day for 5-7days.
• Habitat and wildlife monitoring in the Okanagan River Restoration Phase I and II, along the Okanagan River Channel and floodplains 3 km north of Oliver. Operations from July to September. Surveys occur across all hours of the day/night.
• Tagging adult Sockeye at Skaha Dam (OK Falls) during July and September (day time only).
• Measuring streamflow at various stations throughout the entire basin. Sampling usually occurs between 8:00am – 5:00pm.
• Habitat, fish, and wildlife monitoring at Derickson Lake; surveys occur all hours of day/night.
• Okanogan Sub-basin Habitat Improvement Program (OSHIP) – habitat and gradient surveys and data collection of Okanagan River, Trout Creek and Naramata Creek all summer. Sampling usually occurs between 8:00am – 5:00pm.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kari Alex Project Biologist Office: (250) 707-0095 Ext.301 Email: kalex@syilx.org

Howie Wright Fisheries Program Manager Office: (250) 707-0095 Ext.104 Cell: (250) 718-5215

Richard Bussanich Project Biologist Office: (250) 707-0095 Ext.108/311 Cell: (250) 215-0255