Working to Restore Natural Hydrology  

Marion Creek flows through the Thunder Hill Ranch Conservation Area and into Columbia Lake, north of the Village of Canal Flats. Here, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is leading a five-year project on 12 hectares to restore interconnected wetlands and upland habitats, returning more natural flow dynamics to the creek.

Activities include creating a mosaic of wetlands, restoring the channel and revegetating riparian and upland areas. Together, these actions will improve habitat for wildlife such as westslope cutthroat trout and other at-risk species, including American badger and western painted turtle, while strengthening climate resilience across the watershed.

“The restoration project will benefit the broader Marion Creek Watershed, which covers over 3,000 hectares, plus create beneficial ripple effects downstream, expanding freshwater habitats for westslope cutthroat trout and providing essential habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife,” said Richard Klafki, Program Director. “Improving and restoring wetland and stream habitats along Marion Creek is critical to ensure long-term climate resilience for this system.”