About the Watershed / Watershed FAQ

The Nechako Watershed is a roughly 47,200 km², which is over 1.5 times the area of Vancouver Island (31,285 km²). The Watershed combines areas drained by the Nechako River (originating in the east slopes of BC’s Coast Mountains) and the Takla Lake-Stuart River drainage, prior to joining the Fraser River at Prince George.

The land area drained of the Nechako Watershed overlaps with the traditional territories of 15 First Nations, including Binche First Nation, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Lake Babine First Nation, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, Nak'azdli First Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn First Nation, Saik’uz First Nation, Skin Tyee Nation First Nation, Stellat’en First Nation, Takla First Nation, Tl’azt’en Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Yekooche First Nation. First Nations connections throughout the Watershed are ongoing, led by individuals, families, First Nation communities and groups such as Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and the Office of Wet’suwet’en.

In addition to the First Nations communities, the Nechako Watershed encompasses two regional districts – the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and part of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George – and five municipalities: Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James, and Burns Lake.

Our 2015 Nechako Watershed Health Report found that:

• The adequacy and timing of water flows on the Nechako River impacts the health of aquatic species, and creates challenges water security, quality and quantity for other water users.
• The loss of forest cover can also adversely impact water quality and biodiversity.
• The loss of forest cover as a result of Mountain Pine Beetle and associated salvage logging can result in increased runoff, spring flooding and erosion, and late summer/early fall low flows and warm water temperatures.
• The changing climate is going to impact the water cycle, so it is important to adequately plan for future water availability for multiple needs and values such as industry, agriculture, domestic use, fish, and overall ecosystem health.