CVWMA - Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area

There are 4 main named areas comprising of one lake and 17 marsh segements in this high profile, environmentally sensitive area. Running from north to south are; Duck Lake, Six Mile Slough, Leach Lake Marshes, and Corn Creek Wetlands, encompassing over 17000 acres(7000 ha) of habitat. CVWMA - Area Maps

Hike or Bike the Dyke

You can access the wetland in a number of ways. The endless trails of boardwalks, natural trails and dykes that contain the wetland cells will take you to every corner of the wetland. Many of the trails can be access from near or around the CVWMA Interpretation Center located just south of Hwy #3 on the west side of the valley.

Two other popular accesses, particularly for Duck Lake are located off of highways 3A, north of Creston. Duck Lake Dyke trails are accessed at the north endby parking on the side of the road near Sirdar and walking across the tracks. The south end of the dyke trails and access to other dykes and trails can be made via Lower Wynndel Rd, just north of Wynndel.

If you wish to get into the middle of everything, bring along your canoe (or rent one). Explore the inner marshes while you quietly cruise the expanses of water, cattail and bullrush in search of resident birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

What Will You See?

There are a number of resident species of birds and animals. Of course depending on the time of year, wildlife tend to keep their own schedule so be prepared to see what is in season.

The Creston Valley is on a major migration route for waterfowl, so many of the waterfowl are available to be seen in the spring and/or the fall. The Creston Valley is also a critical breeding ground for a number of migratory bird species. DU Canada contribution's have been the area's intricate dyke and water level management strategy that provides the superior habitat which has resulted in additional specie diversity and increased numbers.

Critical Birds: Osprey, Forster's tern, Black Tern, Great Blue Heron, Rough Winged Swallow, Wood Duck and Western Grebe.

Waterfowl: most Pacific Flyway duck species including mallard, golden eye, bufflehead, pintail, wood duck, widgeon, shovelers, teal, canvasbacks, redheads, ruddy, scaup, scooter and coots.
- Geese and Swans including canada goose, snow goose, tundra and trumpeter swans - Sandhill cranes, Great Blue Herons, mergansers and loons

Raptors: the highest population density of Osprey in Canada; bald eagles, owls, hawks.

Other Birds: terns, swallows, song birds, woodpeckers, various black birds.

Mammals: elk, moose, deer, coyote, black bear, beaver, muskrat and river otter

Fish: The area is famous for it's Sport Fishing opportunities. Kootenay Lake supports world class sized Rainbow Trout to +20lbs. Kootenay Lake and surrounding spawning streams are home to the Kokanee, a land-locked sockeye salmon, unique to BC and the western US states. Duck Lake Leach Lake are shallower warmer bodies of water are one of best large-mouth and small-mouth bass fisheries in BC.

Reptiles and Amphibians: frogs, tree frogs, alligator lizards, endangered Coeur d'Alene salamaders, long-toed salamander, garter snake, rubber boa and painted turtle.

A more complete wildlife list can be downloaded from the following page.

CVWMA Wildlife Checklist

Great Things to Do and See in the Creston Valley

Enjoy the scenic drive along Kootenay Lake via Hwy 3A where there are many resorts, artisans, waterfalls, lake access, B & B's and golf.

You will travel through Wynndel, Sirdar, Twin Bays, Boswell, Crawford Bay, Kootenay Bay and Riondel. At Kootenay Bay you can connect with BC Ferries - Osprey 2000, the worlds longest free ferry, connecting to Balfour, Nelson and the rest of the West Kootenays.

This route is also part of the International Selkirk Loop, a unique scenic driving tour that includes stops in British Columbia, Idaho and Washington State. The route is 280 miles (450 km) and is best enjoyed in 2-5 days depending on your interests and time constraints.

Take a Columbia Brewery Tour - This famous brewery has been producing Kokanee Lager and Kootenay Ale in the area since 1965. Free brewery tours are conducted during weekdays from June through September.

Swim, fly fish or even try gold panning the Goat River.

Winter activities include ice skating, x-country skiing (the dykes are perfect for this, back country skiing on the Summit, tobagganing / tubing and snowmobiling

For a refreshing and detailed review of the Creston Valley check out the following site. It was created by local school children and is very well done..... Discover My Valley

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When you are traveling to the CVWMA, Creston, Nelson, Cranbrook, Kaslo or any other beautiful BC location, use our trip advisor for places to stay and be sure to check out the any reviews by real patrons.

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