Worth Marsh

Highlights

The Worth Marsh project consists of 313.9 hectares of wetland and pasture.

It is a BC Prairie Care project that features the management of key wetland habitat and water levels through the installation of water level controls.

Secondarily, upland habitat is managed to optimize cover and wildlife grazing habitats.

Worth Marsh landowners consist of two long-standing partner organizations and the Penalty Ranch. These have signed conservation agreements with Ducks Unlimited Canada providing long-term security for this project area and its improvements.

Background

The Worth project area is a large shallow but productive permanent wetland with over 50 small natural islands and dense emergent vegetation covering about half of the surface area. The surrounding lands consist of willow and sedge wetlands, aspen forests and shrub land, all of which provide diverse habitats for local wildlife.

Wetland habitats in this area are vulnerable to local drainage practices and water levels can be unstable because of either the damming of outlet flows by beavers or road construction activities caused by a very active oil and gas industry. This project has helped resolve this key issue through the construction of an earthfill dam and water control, provision of alternative water supplies for nearby livestock, and the installation of two Clemson Pond Levelers, special devices that allow water level management in spite of beaver activities.

Project funding for this project comes from BC Prairie Care and the BC Habitat Conservation Trust Fund.

Project Partners

The BC Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection
BC Habitat Conservation Trust Fund
Ducks Unlimited Canada
The Nature Trust of British Columbia
Penalty Ranch