Summary

• The Province is providing $1.5 million to Ducks Unlimited Canada to support dam and dike operations, maintenance and planning work at conservation sites throughout B.C.
• Funding includes support for work at Inga Lake, a popular recreational fishery site near Fort St. John
• Remaining funding will support inspections, assessments, maintenance and stewardship at other Ducks Unlimited Canada dam and dike sites throughout B.C.

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The Province is providing $1.5 million to Ducks Unlimited Canada to support dam and dike operations, maintenance and planning work at conservation sites throughout B.C., including work at Inga Lake near Fort St. John.

Inga Lake hosts a popular recreational fishery that supports approximately 6,000 angler days each year and provides accessible outdoor recreation for families, local residents and visitors.

“People in the northeast care deeply about Inga Lake, and we know how important it is to local anglers and families,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “This funding supports the next steps toward a long-term solution that will help protect fish and wildlife habitat, while keeping this valued outdoor space accessible for years to come.”

Supporting a long-term solution for Inga Lake

The lake is supported by aging water-control infrastructure that helps maintain lake levels for fish habitat and recreational access. As this infrastructure reaches the end of its service life, repairs and upgrades are needed to reduce the risk of lake-level changes that could affect fish habitat, public access and long-term use of the site.

The funding will help Ducks Unlimited Canada assess the condition of the Inga Lake weir, confirm what repairs or upgrades are needed and plan a long-term solution. Approximately $500,000 is expected to support assessment, planning and engineering work at Inga Lake.

Supporting conservation sites throughout B.C.

The remaining funding will support work at other Ducks Unlimited Canada dam and dike sites throughout the province, including:

• inspections to understand what repairs or maintenance may be needed
• maintenance work to help keep sites safe, clean and functioning
• activities, such as managing vegetation, removing garbage, controlling invasive plants and monitoring habitat
• planning to identify repair and maintenance needs for structures that support habitat and recreation

Dams, dikes and water-control structures help manage water levels at many conservation sites. This supports wetlands and other habitat for fish and wildlife, while helping maintain public access for activities, such as angling, hunting, wildlife viewing, research and traditional Indigenous use.

Conservation lands help protect key fish and wildlife habitat, support healthy ecosystems and provide outdoor spaces for people and communities.

This work is part of B.C.’s commitment to conserve and restore healthy watersheds, fish and wildlife habitat, and outdoor spaces that support communities, biodiversity and future generations.

Quotes:

Matt Christensen, manager of provincial operations for B.C., Ducks Unlimited Canada –

“We are incredibly grateful to the Province’s enduring partnership in conservation with Ducks Unlimited Canada. Today’s announcement is an investment in water-control infrastructure that requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance to help reduce risks to fish habitat and public access at sites like Inga Lake.”

Jesse Zeman, executive director, B.C. Wildlife Federation –

“Inga lake is a very popular destination for local anglers. The North Peace Rod and Gun Club also took thousands of students up to learn about the value of fish, wildlife and conservation. It's great to see this investment in such an important public fishery.”