The Cherryville Water Stewards
Protect the Source, Its Up to Us
24-hour Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP):
1 (877) 952-7277 or www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/form.htm
Report violations of fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws.
Monitoring Our Water Quality Since 2008
Our 16 year log of data shows the changes to what was once a pristine watershed. To view water tests of water sampled regularly in Cherryville, click on the link below.
The graphs below provide an example of changes in Total Coliform and E.coli levels at two of our sampling sites. Results are subject to variability due to amount of rain, runoff, water levels etc. in coordination with the time of sampling. Thus, the results only provide a snapshot of water quality. However, a clear trend of increasing levels can be seen through these graphing exercises.
Cherryville residents have always cared deeply about their precious mountain water.
So much so, that they formed a human blockade in 1974 after fighting for a year in the Victoria courts to keep logging off of Cherry Ridge and protect the water sources beneath. These are/were not the last impassioned pleas for water residents will/would make!
In 2008 a few local citizens decided a base-line of water quality information would document and prove changes over time to our watershed. The Cherryville Water Stewards serve this purpose.
Under a North Okanagan Regional District (NORD) sponsored grant for community water initiatives; financing for water sampling and lab testing was possible. Testing occurs in May, August and November. Test sites are on Cherry and Ferry Creeks, the Shuswap River and Half Mile Creek.
The Cherryville Water Stewards Vision Statement
To preserve and/or improve the purity of the Upper and Middle Shuswap River watershed for the sake of its residents and future generations, by:
Establishing the regular and accurate water quality testing and making this data accessible to the Community.
Establishing a suggested code of conduct agreed upon by a majority of watershed residents.
Raising the awareness of our individual impact upon the watershed as well as our direct responsibility to its preservation.
It’s up to us!!!
Code of Conduct
Forestry, farming, commercial and private practices in the watershed, whether on crown land or private land, must not result in erosion, chemical poisoning or pollution from animal wastes.
Keep riparian areas (30 meters from all waterways) wild and covered with native trees, bushes and plants. These areas should be free of herbicides and pesticides.
If you use a boat, please make sure that the integrity of the shore line is kept intact by limiting speed and noise when you are close to shore. Please ensure that your boat doesn’t leak any oil or gasoline and don’t discharge any waste or garbage into the water.
Recreational users of motorized vehicles must treat the environment with respect. Stay out of all waterways and riparian zones wherever possible and remember that you are visiting the habitat (nests and food source) of local wildlife.
Take it in! Take it out! Please don’t leave cans, bottles, wrappers or any other garbage behind.
In the home please be aware of everything that you put down your drain and flush down your toilet. Just because it’s out of sight doesn’t mean it’s gone. Pharmaceuticals, paint thinners and bleach, for example, ultimately will end up in the water.
The Cherryville Water Stewards sponsored and organized activities with local students to promote ecological education and stewardship of the watershed.
Students from from Cherryville Elementary’s 5 & 6 grade class biked to the river for games, test demonstrations, map study and hang out time by the Shuswap shores: the best way to realize the sanctity of water!!
With finacial support form CRMC, Grade 5 and 6 students let loose on a two day canoe trip to Echo lake or Sugar Lake with educator Charles Ruechel from Elements Adventures. Students learn about water ecology, animal habitat, their local headwaters and a few paddling skills to boot!
A hands-on, relief map of our areas watershed was created by Geo Earth Mapping in order to illustrate the flow of water from alpine, to community of Cherryville and beyond.
Additional Information About the Shuswap River Watershed…
The Shuswap River Watershed Sustainability Plan
Prepared April 2014, by the Regional District of the North Okanagan.
The Shuswap River Watershed Action Plan
Revised August 2021 by The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP), a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of BC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations and Public Stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by BC Hydro dams.