Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area

Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area
IUCN category II (national park)
Location	Bulkley-Nechako RD, British Columbia, Canada
Nearest city	Mackenzie
Coordinates	55°51′50″N 124°37′56″W
Area	135,434 ha (522.91 sq mi)
Established	11 April 2001
Governing body	BC Parks
Website	BC Parks Omineca

Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area is a provincial park and protected area located in the north-central interior of British Columbia, Canada. It was established on 11 April 2001 by BC Parks to protect provincially significant riparian and wetland habitats along the Omineca River.

The community of Germansen Landing and North Takla Reserve #12 are enclaves within the park and protected area.

History

The Takla Lake First Nation have inhabited the region around the Omineca River since time immemorial.

In 1869, the discovery of gold in nearby Vital Creek brought thousands of miners to the region. In 1870, the community of Germansen Landing was founded and was a major hub of mining activities along the Omineca River.

Geography

The park is centred around the Omineca River Valley, a broad flat-bottomed valley located within the Swannell Ranges through which the Omineca River meanders from the west to the east. Here, the river creates a vast wetland corridor interspersed with dense forest growth that extends down from the surrounding mountains. The river then turns north at the foot of the Wolverine Range before emptying into the Omineca Arm of Williston Lake.

The park also protects Germansen Lake, a large alpine lake located just south of the Omineca River Valley.

Ecology

The forests and wetlands of the Omineca River Valley provide critical habitat for mammal species such as wolverine, moose, and blue-listed boreal woodland caribou.

See also

• Muscovite Lakes Provincial Park – a nearby provincial park