Go Deep

Fraser River Estuary

Water Facts

  • It is the largest estuary on the Pacific coast of North America
  • The estuary supports high biodiversity and an extensive food web for marine mammals (endangered southern resident killer whales)
  • The coastal and inland areas from the estuary have been heavily modified by agriculture, industrial, and urban development
  • Over a hundred species of fish and birds are at risk of extinction in the estuary

Water Challenges

01.

Sea-level rise

02.

Saltwater infiltration into freshwater sources

03.

Flooding

04.

Water contamination from agricultural/urban runoff

Spotlight

A must-read report on climate change in Fraser River Estuary:

(1) Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy (Phase 1 (complete), Phase 2, 3 (In progress). (2016-2022). Fraser Basin Council.

  • Local governments looking at an example of a strategies aimed at reducing flood risks and improving flood resilience of communities susceptible to coastal/riverine flooding

(2) Conservation in heavily urbanized biodiverse regions requires urgent management action and attention to governance. (2021). Kehoe, et al.

  • This study underscores that biodiversity conservation in heavily urbanized areas is not a lost cause but does require strategic planning, attention to governance, and large-scale investment.

Fraser River Estuary Situation Report

The Situation Report provides a state-of-the-moment overview and analysis of Fraser River Estuary’s water conditions, challenges, and emerging issues.

Researcher Profile

  • Dr. Tara Martin

    Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia

    Tara is a Professor in Conservation Decision Science with the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia.

Authors

The content of this Go Deep page was written by:

Charmaine White

Food and Agriculture Institute, University of the Fraser Valley

Robert Newell

Royal Roads University & Food and Agriculture Institute, University of the Fraser Valley