Ducks Unlimited Canada, in collaboration with ʔaq̓am First Nation, the Nature Trust of B.C. and the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, has started construction on the first phase of the Bummers Flats Floodplain and Wetland Restoration Project.
Located about 25 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook, Bummers Flats is a large floodplain on the east side of the Kootenay River. It’s part of a 4,941-acre conservation complex co-managed by Ducks Unlimited, the Nature Trust and the province.
The site was originally engineered in the 1970s and 1980s to maintain stable water levels and increase nesting success for waterfowl. But decades of separating the wetlands from the river’s natural flooding have degraded habitat and reduced biodiversity. The aging infrastructure is also costly to maintain and repair.
“Ducks Unlimited is committed to adaptive management,” the organization said in a release. “We are applying the latest knowledge alongside inclusive engagement and collaboration.”
The project aims to restore natural river connectivity to support a wider range of species. Phase 1 of the five-year effort is scheduled to begin in October 2025 at North Bummers and will restore 167 acres of wetland area. Construction, including earthworks and heavy equipment, is timed to avoid sensitive nesting and breeding periods.
Why it matters
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The project restores river-floodplain connections, improving ecosystem health and resilience.
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It enhances habitat for waterfowl, songbirds, amphibians and ungulates.
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It helps with climate adaptation by increasing water storage and reducing downstream flood risks.
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It reflects collaboration with ʔaq̓am, recognizing that the work takes place next to ʔaq̓am lands and within ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa.
Planning for the project has included archaeological assessments, hydraulic modelling, monitoring and revegetation strategies.
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