Chilcon Landslide event, Tributary to the Fraser River Watershed
(Williams Lake, Brish Columbia)
• On July 31 a significant landslide event occurred in the lower Chilcotin River, approximately 28
km upstream from the confluence with the Fraser River.
• The site is located approximately 65 km southwest of Williams Lake, British Columbia and on
Tsilhqot'in National Government title land.
• The landslide resulted in deposit of a large volume of debris which has blocked the entire width
of the Chilcotin River for several hundred meters, which is impounding water upstream.
• The site is currently highly unstable and the area is under mandatory evacuation order.
• In response, First Nation and Provincial governments have enacted emergency management
measures (supported by relevant Canadian federal agencies).
• The Chilcotin River supports several important populations of Pacific salmon, with all major
spawning sites for Chinook, sockeye and coho salmon located upstream of the site. Specific
stocks originating from the Chilcotin watershed include:
o Taseko Chinook (Summer 5,2 Chinook)
o Elkin Chinook (Summer 5,2 Chinook)
o Upper Chilcotin Chinook (Spring 5,2 Chinook) – Enhanced/hatchery
o Lower Chilcotin Chinook (Spring 5,2 Chinook) – Enhanced/hatchery
o Chilko Chinook (Summer 5,2 Chinook) – Enhanced/hatchery
o Chilko Sockeye (South end, north end and river populations)(Summer run)
o Yohetta Sockeye (Early Summer run)
o Chilcotin Sockeye
o Taseko Sockeye (Early Summer run) – Enhanced/hatchery
o Chilko Coho
o Chilcotin Coho
o Chilcotin Steelhead (Summers)