It’s that time of year again—the snowpack is melting across the watershed, sending pulses of water down our rivers. This annual event, known as the spring freshet, is one of the key forces shaping our messy rivers.

Flooding is a familiar experience for many in the Boundary, and for some, freshet season brings heightened anxiety. But while high water can be destructive in human terms, it’s also a vital ecological process. The spring freshet transports sediment—important for building floodplains and gravel beds—and moves coarse woody debris, which adds structure and complexity to aquatic habitats. These materials help rivers shift and meander, creating new side channels, wetlands, and microhabitats that support diverse plant and animal communities. In short, freshet is the river’s way of renewing itself.

Perhaps most critically, spring freshet sets the stage for the summer. As water spills out of riverbanks and slows in the floodplain, it spreads across wetlands and backchannels. Some of that water seeps into the ground, recharging the aquifers that supply us with cool, clean water during the dry months. The ground itself acts like a natural filter, cleaning the water as it moves through layers of soil and rock. This recharge is essential—not just for drinking water and irrigation but maintaining baseflows in rivers and streams high enough to support fish, amphibians, and other aquatic life through the hottest parts of the year.

When spring freshet is healthy, the whole system benefits: wetlands remain saturated, groundwater stays available, forests are less stressed, and salmonids and amphibians find refuge in cool, connected waters.

But we also know that climate change is making freshets less predictable. Warmer winters, rain-on-snow events, and altered snowpacks can all affect how—and when—water moves through the system. That’s why building resilience at the community level is so important.

Resilience can look like many things: protecting and restoring wetlands that act like sponges during high flows; reconnecting rivers to their floodplains; planting riparian vegetation that slows erosion and shades the water; and designing infrastructure that works with the river instead of against it. It also means making space for the river to be messy—to rise, fall, spread, and shift.

Freshet is not the enemy; it’s a pulse of life. And when we understand it, respect it, and make room for it, our communities and ecosystems are better off—not just in spring, but all year long.

One could argue that the Kettle and Granby Rivers are among the most spectacular waterways in the southern interior of British Columbia: still untamed, wild, full of native fish, and surrounded by a rich diversity of species—many of them at risk.

It’s that time of year when Rainbow Trout begin to spawn, which is why many streams in the Boundary region are closed to fishing in the spring, from April 1^st to June 30^th including the Granby River.

Some of the “messiness” in river ecology and restoration comes in the form of coarse woody debris. These fallen trees and branches from the riparian zone are essential in shaping habitat: they create deep pools, slow flows, and form hiding places. These deep pools provide much-needed refuge for Rainbow Trout during the heat of summer—this is also the reason behind the summer closure on the Kettle River, where such pools are scarce.

Coarse woody debris also serves as a landing strip for adult insects laying eggs in the river, and for emerging aquatic larvae. It’s another reason fish gravitate toward these structures—they’re a buffet of insect life and offer shelter from overhead predators like osprey and bald eagles.

The creation of side channels—shaped by the rivers’ natural meandering and the placement of large woody debris—is especially important during high water. These areas offer trout a break from intense flows and are prime locations for building redds—the nests where they lay their eggs. Ideal spawning grounds feature a mix of gravel sizes, good water flow, and little fine sediment, allowing for oxygen-rich conditions crucial to developing alevins, or larval trout.

As the freshet builds and spring rains swell our rivers, the messy beauty of these wild systems comes into its own—offering refuge, nourishment, and a place for the next generation of trout to begin.

Let’s protect that mess. Whether it’s respecting seasonal closures (ensure to check local fishing regulations), supporting restoration projects, or simply spreading the word about the vital role of side channels and woody debris, every action matters. The more we understand the needs of our rivers—and the life they sustain—the better we can stand up for them. After all, wild rivers need wild hearts to keep them flowing free.

Herpetofauna (or herptiles) are collective terms used to refer to a group of critters that includes reptiles and amphibians. Herptiles are uniquely tied to the inherent natural ‘messiness’ of our rivers and riparian areas. Few other species depend so heavily on the complex ever-changing landscape of fallen leaves, branches, and organic debris that accumulate along riverbanks and forest floors.

These dynamic riparian environments offer critical foraging opportunities. Insects lay their eggs in decomposing plant matter, overwinter as larvae, and, in turn, provide a vital food source for amphibians and reptiles. Fallen plant debris also provides essential shelter, creating movement corridors that protect herpetofauna from predators and give them places to cool off during the heat of summer.

The Kettle River Watershed is home to several species of herpetofauna. Jared Hobbs, a provincial expert on Species-at-Risk in BC, has worked in this area for over two-decades, motivated to protect and conserve the rich biodiversity unique to dry interior habitats in BC’s southern interior. Many of the herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) found in our area are threatened by habitat loss, road mortality and, in previous times, intentional persecution. Fortunately, today, these species have been recognized for their intrinsic value – we are proud to share our natural areas with these amazing species. We can still be thrilled by the rustle of a snake, lizard, frog, toad, spadefoot or salamander as it moves away from us as we walk by, and we can take pleasure in the privilege of seeing and hearing these species where we co-exist.        

With the first warm days of spring each April, and the last rains of fall in September and October, you may be lucky enough to witness one of nature’s great migrations: the mass movement of amphibians. The Great Basin Spadefoot (or colloquially referred to as the spadefoot ‘toad’) is one of the first amphibian species to emerge from underground overwintering areas in grassland habitats near small ephemeral ponds. Similarly, around Wards Lake near Grand Forks, residents have observed hundreds of (Western) Tiger Salamanders traveling together, making their way from their home ponds to new habitats. Sadly, we have lost some of this vital habitat essential to the tiger salamander’s survival; most notably at Saddle Lake. Saddle Lake once teemed with Tiger Salamanders (and other amphibian species) before the intentional misguided illegal and very damaging introduction of invasive goldfish. Several spots in the West Boundary along Highway 3 have these “critter crossings” as well.

Native Turtles also rely on these riparian areas for food and temperature regulation. Basking on sun-warmed logs in wetlands and ponds is a favorite pastime of Painted Turtles as they take advantage of logs from fallen trees that create ideal resting spots.

Snakes are also highly dependent on these messy landscapes. Garter snakes (including Western Terrestrial Garter Snake and Common Garter Snake), North American Racer, Great Basin Gopher Snake, Rubber Boa and Northern Pacific Rattlesnake are all found in the Kettle River Watershed. Its exciting that this area is home to six of BC’s nine snake species!!! Each of these species rely on leaf litter and downed woody debris for cover as they hunt for frogs, insects, and small rodents. These natural materials provide protection and refuge, keeping snakes hidden from predators while also helping them regulate their body temperature throughout the changing seasons.

If you live near a creek, wetland, pond, or river its best to avoid “waste cleanup” to protect these vital ecosystems. Many insect species, including those that amphibians and reptiles depend on for food, spend the colder months in leaf litter and plant debris. Removal of natural tree and leaf litter disrupts their life cycles, unfortunately reducing an essential food source just as herpetofauna are emerging for the season. By leaving natural materials in place (at least for a little longer), we can each help to support the intricate web of life that thrives in these beautifully ‘messy’ biodiverse areas in a special area we are proud to call ‘home’. 

When it comes to the messiest contributors along our rivers, few trees can rival the Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamea trichocarpa). With its sticky buds that cling to your dog’s fur, its fluff in late spring scattering seeds in every direction, and its twigs and branches constantly shedding along the riverway, this tree certainly earns its reputation as a “messy” neighbor. However, despite its untidy nature, the Black Cottonwood is one of the most ecologically significant trees in our region.

The Riparian Black Cottonwood Community—a delicate assemblage of trees, shrubs, and forbs—is one of the rarest ecosystems in the entire province. It is considered Red Listed by the Conservation Data Centre (2025), meaning it is a priority for conservation efforts due to its scarcity and importance.

While its rapid growth and quick decay rate might make the Black Cottonwood seem ephemeral, it plays a pivotal role in the ecosystem. For species at risk, such as Lewis’s Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, and Western Screech Owl, the Black Cottonwood serves as the nest tree of choice. The older trees, with their rough bark, provide homes for bats, while their large limbs offer perch space for eagles, giving them an ideal vantage point to hunt and observe the river below. Even our rainbow trout find shelter beneath the fallen trunks and branches as they fall into the river, using the cover for protection from predators and as a place to hunt insects and other prey.

Younger Black Cottonwoods are an essential food source for various animals, including beavers, white-tail and mule deer, elk, and moose. Additionally, these trees are crucial for maintaining the health of our watershed. They store large volumes of water, help filter surface water into waterways, and stabilize shorelines, preventing excess sedimentation from harming the river ecosystem.

Even our pollinators depend on the Black Cottonwood. The sticky residue from its buds, known as propolis, is gathered by bees and used in their hives to fight bacterial infections and reinforce entryways. This powerful substance is also prized by herbalists, who harvest it for its medicinal properties.

For those looking to deepen their connection with this remarkable tree, one great way to engage with the Black Cottonwood is by crafting a balm from the harvested buds. By doing so, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the tree’s role in our ecosystem, transforming its “messiness” into something truly meaningful. Check out more information found at kettleriver.ca/riparian.

As we embark on this vibrant journey, each month, through our upcoming series on “The Messy River,” it’s important to understand why we affectionately refer to our local waterways as messy rivers. At first glance, the term may seem unflattering, conjuring images of clutter and disarray. However, this perception couldn’t be further from the truth!

Messy rivers, often characterized by their coarse woody debris and diverse habitat features, play a critical role in supporting the ecological richness of our local environment. The tangled branches and submerged logs that dot these waterways are not mere obstacles; they serve as vital components of a healthy river ecosystem. These natural structures provide habitats for a variety of fish, amphibians, and invertebrates, creating bustling communities within these waters.

Throughout the year, we will delve deeper into the reasons why these seemingly chaotic river designs are beneficial to our ecosystems. We’ll explore how woody debris contributes to water quality, prevents erosion, and supports biodiversity. Each column will highlight different aspects of the messy river concept, offering information and insights from local biologists; interviews with experts; and stories from those who live and work along these riverbanks.

Join us on this exploration of our messy rivers and discover the intricate connections that make these ecosystems vital to our environment. Through the lens of nature, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation for the messy beauty that supports life both above and below the water’s surface.