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Columbia Wetlands - Visitor Use information

Last updated on April 14, 2021

The Columbia Wetlands Wildlife Management Area was established for the conservation and management of fish and wildlife habitats and landscape connectivity so that the Columbia River Wetlands continues to function as a natural floodplain ecosystem.

Area Restrictions

Motorized access area restrictions are in place to minimize environmental impacts to wetland and upland habitats. Motorized access may cause: abandonment of nests, harassment of wildlife, increased predation, flooding of nests from boat wakes, destruction of emergent vegetation, bank erosion and siltation, and increased invasive plant abundance and spread.

In order to maintain and preserve the wetlands and consistent with the primary intent of the WMA designation, access by motorized conveyances is restricted. Under Section 7 (4) of the Wildlife Act no person may enter the Wildlife Management Area with a conveyance of any description which is powered by a motor which exceeds a rating of 10 horsepower.  

Boating Restrictions

  1. Motorized vessels are limited to 20 hp (15 kw) or less on the main channel of the Columbia River.
  2. No motorized water craft are permitted in the side channels, ponds or wetlands.
  3. No towing or wakeboarding is permitted in the wetlands or on the main channel of the river.

Boating Restrictions sign

Unsanctioned Trails in the CWWMA (Dry Gulch area)

The Dry Gulch area has a long history of use due to its proximity to communities, spectacular views and feasible recreation opportunities. Over the last year, Fuels Management and Habitat Enhancement treatments have been applied to units within the WMA. The unsanctioned trails in the area have been deactivated in effort to continue to work towards the protection and enhancement of wildlife and habitat.

The Power Wagon and Stinkin’ Badger trails were unsanctioned trails that existed within the boundaries of the CWWMA. These trails passed through habitat for many sensitive species and species at risk. The primary objectives for management within the WMA are focused on habitat and wildlife values, not recreation. Deactivation to all user groups was completed in June 2020, and was aimed towards reducing human disturbance levels to benefit wildlife species. The growing popularity of the Deja View trail has increased disturbance levels and has widened sections of the unsanctioned trail, cutting father into its sensitive plant community. Trail deactivation will also remove additional vectors for invasive plant introduction and establishment. Invasive plants displace native species and reduce forage quality for ungulates.

Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners

For more information about the Columbia Wetlands, visit the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners site.

Edgewater imageColumbia Wetlands image of river with snowRadium Mckay image of marsh area with grass and mountain backdropaerial view of the columbia wetlands

The maps files below provide detailed information on the Columbia Wetlands Wildlife Management Area (CWWMA) that will be helpful during your visit.

The files labelled PDF show the Boundary of CWWMA from North to south, titled 1-5. These maps are georeferenced and can be uploaded to a device.

The files labelled KMZ can be uploaded to your device to help navigate the channel and comply with the area restrictions.  To learn more about how to import Google Earth files, please see Google Earth Help.

Review these documents for biological and historical information regarding this Wildlife Management Area