Water Levels

Columbia Wetlands from Mount Swansea June 17, 2012 

 Photo by Larry Halverson

Officials with BC's River Forecast Centre say river levels are especially high not only because of the rain, but also the melting snow.  And with more rain in the forecast we can expect higher water levels. Normally the Kootenay River’s peak flow is the middle of June while the Columbia River peaks around the first of July.

Importance of Wetlands

Video by The Nature Trust

A profile of the importance of the Columbia River Wetlands for migratory birds.

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl nesting in clay bank along the Columbia River.
Photo and Video by Randy Hopkins.

Great Horned Owls are found throughout BC and according to Birds of British Columbia most nest sites are in trees where the owl uses old nest from other birds like Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, Crows and Great Blue Herons. Sometimes they will nest on top of a broken snag and occasionally they use a hole in a clay bank like this one along the Columbia River.

Birding in the Columbia Valley

Shaw TV goes birding in the Columbia Valley. 

To watch the short video go to 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5A0b0utVnI&list=UUr0Nhp8T96ydA8aYAnyeopw&index=3&feature=plcp

Great Photos

Some great photos of the Columbia Wetlands taken during Wings Over the Rockies.

http://www.kootenaynaturephotos.com/blog

World Turtle Day

Western Painted Turtle crossing Hwy 93/95
Photo by Larry Halverson

World Turtle Day, May 23, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.

Aerial Tour of the Columbia River

Buckle up and enjoy this breathtaking aerial tour of the mighty Columbia River. The journey starts at the river's headwaters at Columbia Lake in British Columbia and ends at the Pacific Ocean, west of Astoria, Oregon. The view takes you about a mile up (or 1.6 kilometers) while moving at approximately three times the speed of sound. You'll also get a brief stop at each dam along the way out to the ocean. So pull that seatbelt tight for this one-of-a-kind flight over one of the Pacific Northwest's most valuable and beloved resources.