Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area

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Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area
Canada British Columbia location map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
Location Bulkley-Nechako RD, British Columbia, Canada
Nearest city Mackenzie
Coordinates 55°51′50″N124°37′56″W / 55.8638°N 124.6323°W / 55.8638; -124.6323
Area135,434 ha (522.91 sq mi)
Established11 April 2001
Governing body BC Parks
Website BC Parks Omineca
Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area

Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area is a provincial park and protected area located in the north-central interior of British Columbia, Canada. It was established on 11 April 2001 by BC Parks to protect provincially significant riparian and wetland habitats along the Omineca River. [2]

Contents

The community of Germansen Landing and North Takla Reserve #12 are enclaves within the park and protected area.

History

The Takla Lake First Nation have inhabited the region around the Omineca River since time immemorial.

In 1869, the discovery of gold in nearby Vital Creek brought thousands of miners to the region. In 1870, the community of Germansen Landing was founded and was a major hub of mining activities along the Omineca River.

Geography

The park is centred around the Omineca River Valley, a broad flat-bottomed valley located within the Swannell Ranges through which the Omineca River meanders from the west to the east. Here, the river creates a vast wetland corridor interspersed with dense forest growth that extends down from the surrounding mountains. The river then turns north at the foot of the Wolverine Range before emptying into the Omineca Arm of Williston Lake. [2]

The park also protects Germansen Lake, a large alpine lake located just south of the Omineca River Valley. [2]

Ecology

The forests and wetlands of the Omineca River Valley provide critical habitat for mammal species such as wolverine, moose, and blue-listed boreal woodland caribou. [2]

See also

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References

  1. "Protected Planet | Omineca Park". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Environment, Ministry of. "Omineca Provincial Park and Omineca Protected Area – BC Parks". bcparks.ca. Retrieved 2020-10-12.