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The worst things I notice here on Vancouver Island are that our lakes and rivers are losing their ability to support life very rapidly. The wet and dry cycles

The worst things I notice here on Vancouver Island are that our lakes and rivers are losing their ability to support life very rapidly. The wet and dry cycles we have mean our river levels are very high then very low, with water temperatures rising higher in summer as a result. The more this happens, and it does every year, the less life they will support. Salmonids which make up the vast majority of river fish can’t handle warm, shallow water. They get sick, tired, develop fungal infections, or get trapped in low areas and run out of food or oxygen. Our lakes are doing better, but declining just the same. When fishing it’s very rare to catch wild native species, instead you’ll find plenty of stocked or invasive fish. Water temperatures are increasing very quickly, meaning very small lakes will fail to support species like trout which need cool, oxygen rich water. Logging has done incalculable damage to our watersheds, and it won’t recover quickly. Warming conditions are compounding the damage from that and perhaps reducing the ability of forests to recover and protect our watersheds. I’m taking my son fishing this weekend for a couple days, and I’ve spent so much time researching to find out which lakes and rivers are doing well or aren’t experiencing too much fishing pressure. There is virtually nothing on the South Island. It’s very sad. We will probably spend a significant amount of time snorkeling and pulling out garbage, especially monofilament from near the shores. I think we’ll see ecological collapse in major rivers like the Cowichan in the next decade. Some years the levels are so low, comparing it to records is shocking. Crayfish (which serve as a sort of canary species and food web foundation) have begun to have die outs and decreasing populations with some regularity.

52-6F-62 5y ago
It's really sad! Every time I visit I am more and more convinced I'd like to move out there. I think I'd be happier with more outdoors activities available, but man— it's unnerving. One of the more peculiar things I witnessed when there last week was—as you mentioned—the very high water levels in Cumberland Lake which apparently forced BC hydro to let open the Comox dam and increase flow down the Puntledge. And for some reason they don't syphon any of that "excess" fresh water off, they just flow it into the ocean. I can understand not wanting to do anything overly disruptive, but it's already dammed. There were water shortage notices posted the entire time we were there. And it is always amazing in the worst ways to drive past clearcut segments of rainforest. Conversely, I saw some of the most amazing (in the best ways) sights I've ever seen on my most recent trip... I hope we can temper our damage before it changes things too much. There's so much to lose.
- steve_adams_86 5y ago
  Ah, yeah - the melt water was crazy during the heat wave. I watched Squamish river pull a couple trees down at the peak of it while eating dinner at the watershed restaurant. The erosion must have been so bad. You’re right though, there are still plenty of stunning sights to see here. All of strathcona park is loaded with breathtaking opportunities and it’s just one small part of the island. I personally can’t get enough of the west coast around Tofino. Snorkelling and diving is such a treat, I’m so excited to get back there.
  - 52-6F-62 5y ago
    There's a lot of really special places there! Tofino is high on my list of must-visits. Each time we get out to the Island we don't really make it to the western coast. The only time I've been was down near Port Renfrew. Next time I'm out there Tofino is a must. I want to catch the surfers but I've been told storm season is pretty amazing as well.

52-6F-62 5y ago

It's really sad! Every time I visit I am more and more convinced I'd like to move out there. I think I'd be happier with more outdoors activities available, but man— it's unnerving. One of the more peculiar things I witnessed when there last week was—as you mentioned—the very high water levels in Cumberland Lake which apparently forced BC hydro to let open the Comox dam and increase flow down the Puntledge. And for some reason they don't syphon any of that "excess" fresh water off, they just flow it into the ocean. I can understand not wanting to do anything overly disruptive, but it's already dammed. There were water shortage notices posted the entire time we were there. And it is always amazing in the worst ways to drive past clearcut segments of rainforest. Conversely, I saw some of the most amazing (in the best ways) sights I've ever seen on my most recent trip... I hope we can temper our damage before it changes things too much. There's so much to lose.

steve_adams_86 5y ago
Ah, yeah - the melt water was crazy during the heat wave. I watched Squamish river pull a couple trees down at the peak of it while eating dinner at the watershed restaurant. The erosion must have been so bad. You’re right though, there are still plenty of stunning sights to see here. All of strathcona park is loaded with breathtaking opportunities and it’s just one small part of the island. I personally can’t get enough of the west coast around Tofino. Snorkelling and diving is such a treat, I’m so excited to get back there.
- 52-6F-62 5y ago
  There's a lot of really special places there! Tofino is high on my list of must-visits. Each time we get out to the Island we don't really make it to the western coast. The only time I've been was down near Port Renfrew. Next time I'm out there Tofino is a must. I want to catch the surfers but I've been told storm season is pretty amazing as well.