Thompson Okanagan Timing Windows

Timing windows for instream works in the Thompson Okanagan Region provide general guidelines for minimizing the risk of impact to fish and wildlife species and their habitats. Refer to appropriate Best Management Practices (BMP) for additional guidance on instream works.

Fisheries

Waterbody-specific timing windows for many lakes and streams in the Thompson Okanagan Region have been developed based on known species occurrences and best available science. These windows are designed to protect all fish species known to occur in the waterbody and are listed in the following document.

• Okanagan, Similkameen & Upper Shuswap Fisheries Timing Windows (PDF)
• Thompson Region Fisheries Timing Windows (PDF)

In situations where works are occurring on a stream not listed in the above document, the proponent must adhere to the general timing windows outlined below based on the fish species present in that stream. One way fish presence can be confirmed is through Fisheries Inventory Data Queries. Please note if using this database that the lack of fish records for a particular stream is not necessarily equivalent to fish absence. All streams are assumed to have both spring and fall spawners until determined otherwise.

Species & General Timing Window

Bull Trout (BT)	Jun 1 - Aug 15
Rainbow (RB), Steelhead (ST), Cutthroat (CT) Trout (early spawners)	Jul 22 - Oct 31
Rainbow (RB), Steelhead (ST), Cutthroat (CT) Trout (late spawners)	Aug 7 - Oct 15
Lake Trout (LT)	Jul 15 - Sep 30
Kokanee (KO; stream spawning)	Jun 1 - Aug 31
Kokanee (KO; shore spawners)	Jun 1 – Sep 30
Mountain Whitefish (WM)	May 1 - Sep 30
Lake Whitefish (LW)	Jun 1 – Oct 31
Burbot BB (shallow)	Jun 1 – Oct 31
Burbot BB (deep)	Jun 1 – Dec 31
Chinook salmon (CN), Coho Salmon (CO), Sockeye (SO), Pink (PK) Salmon	Jul 15 - Aug 15

Wood Lake, Kalamalka Lake and Okanagan Lake have foreshore sensitivity zones identified for Kokanee shore spawning habitat (i.e., Black, Red, Yellow); see Okanagan Large Lakes Foreshore Protocol for more information including mapping.

If a fish species listed by the British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (CDC) or the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is known to occur in the stream where works are proposed, the timing window for that species also needs to be considered.

Notwithstanding the information above, fisheries timing windows are not applicable if the stream channel is naturally dry (no flow) or frozen to the bottom at the worksite, and the instream activity will not adversely impact fish habitat (e.g., result in the introduction of sediment into fish habitat or damage to fish habitat).

If works are proposed outside of any of the listed timing windows or are inconsistent with Best Management Practices, the proponent should engage a qualified professional (QP) to assess the species and habitats present and determine if a site specific plan can be developed to ensure compliance with all applicable legislation. The recommendations and technical rationale for the plan must be developed, signed and sealed by an appropriately QP(s). The report must be maintained by the proponent in the event that the works are monitored or a compliance inspection is conducted.It is the proponent's responsibility to ensure their activities are in compliance with all applicable legislation, including the Fisheries Act.

Wildlife

Most species of wildlife are at their highest risk for disturbance during the period in which they raise their young. Some may be at risk during their dormant or hibernating period. Wildlife observation records can be obtained through the Conservation Data Centre, although the absence of an observation record does not confirm that a species is not present.

Work windows for wildlife refer to streams. Under the Water Sustainability Act, bodies of water described by the term “stream” can include a lake, pond, river, creek, spring, ravine, gulch, wetland features with open standing water, or glacier (whether or not the glacier usually contains water or ice).