Hamling Lakes 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 Conservation Lands regional contacts.