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]
Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area | |
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IUCN category II (national park)[1] | |
View across the Omineca River valley | |
Location | Bulkley-Nechako RD, British Columbia, Canada |
Nearest city | Mackenzie |
Coordinates | 55°51′50″N 124°37′56″W |
Area | 135,434 ha (522.91 sq mi) |
Established | 11 April 2001 |
Governing body | BC Parks |
Website | BC Parks Omineca |
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
- Muscovite Lakes Provincial Park – a nearby provincial park
References
- "Protected Planet | Omineca Park". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
- Environment, Ministry of. "Omineca Provincial Park and Omineca Protected Area – BC Parks". bcparks.ca. Retrieved 2020-10-12.