Hamling Lakes Wildlife Management Area

ABOUT THIS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Date Designated: April 6, 1998

Purpose: Maintenance and extension for the biological diversity of Goat Range Park.

Size: 30,572 hectares

Region: Kootenay/Boundary

NATURE AND CULTURE

Fish and Wildlife: This WMA is part of the documented core range of the blue-listed (vulnerable) Woodland Caribou, and may be critical to conservation of the internationally significant Central Selkirks population.  It provides important movement corridors and habitat for various other blue-listed species including Grizzly Bear, Wolverine, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, American Avocet, Lark Sparrow and Lewis’ Woodpecker.

Physiography, Climate and Vegetation: The WMA includes a variety of ecosystems and wildlife habitats including old growth valley bottoms, alpine lake complexes, riparian habitats, avalanche tracks, talus slopes and vegetation/soil associations from valley bottom to ridgetop.  Including the Hamling Lakes, there are three high-elevation lake complexes surrounded by flatter topography. It includes high-capability forests as well as high-elevation lands suited to big game and recreation activities.

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.