Dewdrop-Rosseau Creek Wildlife Management Area

ABOUT THIS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Date Designated: June 11, 1987

Purpose: Management of sensitive grassland ecosystems to provide for uninterrupted habitat for associated species, including winter range for Mule Deer and California Bighorn Sheep.

Size: 5,747 hectares

Region: Thompson/Okanagan

NATURE AND CULTURE

Fish and Wildlife: In conjunction with the neighbouring Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area, this WMA provides for a continuous region of relatively undisturbed grasslands ecosystems, which are rare in British Columbia. The WMA supports approximately 90 species of reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. Particularly important are the winter range for Mule Deer and all of the habitat types that are required by California Bighorn Sheep. Other species found in the area include Moose, Bobcat, Cougar and Coyote. The region supports a variety of raptor species, either seasonally or year round, depending on the availability of prey species. Rare Flammulated Owl and rattlesnakes also utilize the WMA.

Physiography, Climate and Vegetation: Located in the very dry Thompson Basin, the topography of the Dewdrop-Rosseau Creek WMA is generally rugged—a result of an active volcanic past followed by extensive modification by glaciation and erosion. Bedrock outcrops are common on the steep southerly slopes. Below these outcrops, colluvial materials dominate the landscape either as sparsely vegetated rubble or as grasslands lower down. Eolian deposits occur in some lower grassland areas. Historical fluvial deposits are found on bench formations, with active fluvial formations common at creek mouths. Higher elevations are dominated by open forest habitats.

PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Information on management direction and possible restrictions on visitor activities are available from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development regional office.