KOTCHO LAKE ISLANDS ER #148

KOTCHO LAKE ISLANDS ER #148

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect colonial water bird nesting sites and their migration stop over
OVERVIEW
Date established:  29 June 2000

See the full PDF: kotcho

Location:  100 km ENE of Fort Nelson 59º04’N  121º07’W

Total Area: 64 ha
Land: 49 ha
Foreshore: 15 ha
Elevation: 623 m
Access: Accessible by boat or float plane in Kotcho Lake.
Biogeoclimatic Zone: Boreal White and Black Spruce (BWBS)
Biogeoclimatic Variant: BWBSmw2 Fort Nelson Moist Warm
Ecosection: Etsho Plateau
Region: Peace
Management Area: North Peace

COMPOSITION
Physical: This reserve includes two flat islands located 1.5 and 2.5 km from the closest
shoreline on the southeast side of the lake. Kotcho Lake is a large, very shallow
lake located within the Etsho Plateau Ecosection, a region of extensive wet
lowlands and rolling plateau.
Biological: The islands are composed of mostly boggy ground. Only the larger, western
island has scattered black spruce trees; the smaller island is partly covered by
shrubby vegetation. The lake has extensive aquatic vegetation. This is the only
nesting colony in British Columbia where three species of gulls (Herring, Mew
and Bonaparte) breed. This is the only colony of Mew and Herring Gulls in
Northeastern British Columbia and extends breeding range for Mew gulls
considerably eastward in the province. In addition it is a breeding site for other
waterfowl and an important migration stopover. Forty-seven species of birds,
including 26 water birds and 15 breeding species were recorded on one day
(June 26, 1982).

The islands are used as calving sites for moose. Caribou and varying hare have
also been observed.
Cultural: The reserve protects a First Nations burial site, traditional settlement and
resource use, and contains significant fishery, cultural and archaeological values.
MANAGEMENT CONCERNS
SIGNIFICANT SPECIES

Caribou (boreal population) Red listed

THREATS
Climate Change: Warming temperatures and changed hydrology may alter the lake and wetland habitats which serve as important colonial water bird  nesting sites and migration stop over areas. Changes in water  quality may result in changed distribution, representation and assemblage of aquatic species, thus affecting the bird populations.
RESEARCH  OPPORTUNITIES
Reserve represents significant migratory stop over for birds; it is  an important nesting site for colonial water birds.
SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE KOTCHO LAKE ISLANDS  ER ACCOUNT
Flora
spruce, black (Picea mariana)
Fauna
Caribou (boreal population) (Rangifer tarandus pop. 14)
Gull, Bonaparte’s (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
Gull, Herring (Larus argentatus)
Gull, Mew (Larus canus)
Moose (Alces americanus)