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Harrison Salmon Stronghold
Designated Canada's First Salmon Stronghold
Following a rigorous scientific assessment, the Harrison River joins the North American Salmon Stronghold Partnership representing British Columbia in an international network of the most significant rivers in North America. These rivers are in need of careful planning and environmental stewardship to preserve them as reliable salmon refuges that are important to the longterm sustainability of Pacific salmon. Harrison River ~ a stronghold for Pacific salmon ecosystem diversity All 5 five salmon species and steelhead are found in the Harrison River, but it is the combination of both abundance and diversity of these fish that makes this a true Pacific salmon strong-hold. Salmon are found in all life history stages throughout the river, its lake, tributaries, sloughs and wetlands. They in turn support a variety of other life in the valley. The variety of unique physical and life-history traits in Harrison River salmon safeguards these fish from the destructive effects of habitat and climate change. These characteristics further differentiate each of the salmon species into unique spawning populations that are called Conservation Units (CUs) under Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy. These CU’s need to be protected in order to conserve population vitality and the value of this salmon ecosystem as a enduring refuge for Pacific Salmon. The Harrison River is within BC’s Coastal Western-Hemlock zone and the Fraser River Salmon Eco-region. The Stronghold encompasses a 2,500 km2 watershed, including 60 km long Harrison Lake and four primary salmon-producing tributaries. Chehalis River and Weaver Creek are tributaries to the Harrison River; Cogburn and Big Silver Creeks are tributaries to the Lake; The Lake’s largest inlet is the Lillooet River inflowing at Port Douglas; its outlet flows south near the resort community of Harrison Hotsprings for 16 km past the community of Sts’ailes to its confluence with the Fraser River at Harrison Mills, located approximately 95 km’s east of Vancouver, and 116 km from Georgia Strait. Salmon abundance and diversity is necessary to support other animals in the Harrison River stronghold. Black bears, eagles, river otters and seals are among the resident wild-life of the river valley that depend upon migrating salmon that are present year-round. Harrison River’s nutrient-rich wetlands and vast riparian habitats owe their fertility to the salmon. The nutrients left behind by salmon nourishes the ecosystem long-after their carcasses disappear, supporting an array of other life. The stronghold initiative advocates local leadership and encourages partnership building among managers, landowners and users of the resource through habitat and fisheries stewardship. |