Status of Bowron Lake Provincial Park, January 2014 1 BACKGROUND In 2002 a Park Use Plan for Bowron Lake Provincial Park was implemented. This document is used as a guide for the management of the Park, setting out objectives and strategies for conservation, development, interpretation and operation of the Park. The development of this Park Use Plan took two years and over 180 people in roundtable discussions to produce this valuable guide pertaining to the ongoing management and future vision of Bowron Lake Provincial Park. Some of the issues brought forth here are also found in the Park Use Plan. The Plan in its entirety is posted on the BC Parks website – follow the links to the Bowron Lake Provincial Park pages.
2 CLOSING OF THE CARIBOO FALLS TRAIL A major attraction in Bowron Lake Provincial Park, the Cariboo Falls Trail, has been closed for the past two summers because of the presence of danger trees. Parks have been unable to open it because of a lack of funds to hire a licensed faller to clear the trees. Proponents of the Park would like to see this trail reopened and functional before the beginning of the 2014 paddling season.
3 SMALL TRAILS IN THE PARK With every passing year, more and more Park visitors voice an interest in the formation of small hiking trails around the canoe circuit; providing leg stretching, exploration opportunities during their backcountry paddling adventure. Page 70 of the Park Use Plan states, “Permit the development of short trails to specific unique natural or cultural features around the chain”. Not only have there been absolutely no trails brought under consideration, over the years many small pre-existing historic trails have been lost. The Lewis Falls Trail, the old Rete and Jean Lakes Trail, Fred Becker’s historic Lookout Trail above McLeary Lake and the old trail going to the bottom of Cariboo Falls... to name a few. Proponents of the Park and hundreds of Park visitors would like to see some trails established and maintained in the Park.
4 FRONT COUNTRY DAY USE AREA Bowron Lake itself does not have a front country day use /picnic area available for locals, residents or casual daytime visitors. Page 58 and 59 of the Park Use Plan states, “To ensure Bowron Lake remains accessible to local and regional day and multi-day visitors” and “Consider developing a small day use area in the vicinity of the registration center / canoe dock on the shore of Bowron Lake”. Such an area would give families, local schools, clubs and daytime visitors the ability to enjoy an integral aspect of Bowron Lake Provincial Park. Proponents of the Park, Wells residents, and many local clubs would like to see some serious consideration toward the fulfillment of a front country day use area.
5 THE DESTRUCTION OF OLD CABINS IN THE PARK Page 68 of the Park Use Plan states the need, “To protect and preserve archaeological values and resources within the Park.” And page 69 lays out several strategies for a Cultural Overview Assessment of the Bowron Lake canoe circuit and the interpretation and investigation of the heritage structures within it. During the fall of 2013 an old Ranger cabin was destroyed and replaced with a modern structure. This Ranger cabin was built in 1980 by local resident, past Cariboo Hunting and Fishing Lodge owner, and well loved old-timer Frank Cushman. Over the next few years more cabins are slated to be destroyed and replaced. This destruction is being conducted without any assessment or consideration of their historic or cultural values. The proponents of the Park call for all further destruction to halt until proper cultural assessments and/ or alternative methods of upgrading the Ranger cabins can be considered.
6 WATER LEVELS OF BOWRON LAKE There are growing concerns over rising water levels of Bowron Lake and the resulting land sloughs. Erosion of shoreline is causing an increase in siltation in the lake and Bowron River which can affect salmon spawning and rearing grounds. The high water levels are thought to destroy nesting sites in the Bowron Slough and upper Bowron River drainage system. This warrants further studies and investigation.
7 PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! The Bowron Lake Enhancement Society will be holding their next meeting on January 11th, 2014 at 1pm in the Wells Municipal Office. These issues will be presented at the meeting….please come and show your support!