Restoring Wetlands and Streams from Constructed Impoundments (Episode 22)

Naturally appearing and functioning wetlands that provide habitat to a diversity of animal and plant species can be restored from artificial impoundments. This video shows how wetlands, streams, and rivers were restored from a large, failed impoundment on the Yaqan Nukiy First Nation Lower Kootenay Band Reserve near the town of Creston, in British Columbia, Canada. Over 1.9 km of dams were removed to reconnect restored wetlands, streams, and cut a cut off river channel with annual flooding from rivers. The wetlands and streams were built with features to provide habitat for the Northern leopard frog, Western Painted turtle, White Sturgeon, and burbot, all Species at Risk. Techniques are shown for restoring the natural rims and basins of wetlands that do not involve the use of dams, berms, water control structures, drainpipes, pumps, or diversions that require frequent and expensive maintenance.