Kotcho Lake (BC246)

Fort Nelson, British Columbia

Site Description

Kotcho Lake is situated in the northeastern corner of British Columbia, about 90 kilometres northeast of Fort Nelson. It is a very shallow, but fairly large lake, almost 20 kilometres across at the longest point. On the edge of the boreal forest, it is surrounded by Black Spruce forest.

Birds

Large numbers of ducks are found on Kotcho Lake in early fall. On September 17, 1998 14, 722 ducks were counted in an aerial survey. Of these 1,550 were Canvasbacks, while the others were a mix of diving ducks and puddle ducks. In 1999, an early season survey on September 1, revealed 5,000 to 7,000 ducks, but this is before numbers of waterfowl peak, so numbers would not be expected to as high as later in the season. No other known surveys have been conducted, but there is no reason to suppose that the mid-September survey numbers are not typical. Both Tundra and Trumpeter swans occur in fall as well.

Ducks, Canada Geese and swans are all present in the breeding season.

Conservation Issues

Kotcho Lake is for the most part isolated and undisturbed, although locals use the lake for fishing. A potential source of change in the area is ongoing oil and gas exploration and its attendant drill sites and roads.

IBA Criteria Habitats Land Uses Potential or Ongoing Threats Conservation Status