Photo: Lorri Fehr

Release A Juvenile Sturgeon

This is your chance to help an endangered species!

On behalf of the Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative, the FWCP is organizing a juvenile sturgeon release at Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar on Monday April 19 from 2pm to 4pm.

The FWCP also invites you to release a juvenile sturgeon into the Kootenay River near Creston on Tuesday April 20 from noon to 2pm.

Directions - Creston     Tuesday, April 20 12 noon – 2 pm

Old Ferry Landing, at the end of Kootenay River Road

Directions - Castlegar      Monday, April 19 2pm – 4 pm

The release site is directly below Hugh Keenleyside Dam, on the Castlegar-side of the Columbia River. Vehicle access across the dam is limited to certain times and is not open during the public sturgeon release.

From Castlegar: Follow Columbia Ave. all the way though town and turn left to access Arrow Lakes Drive. Follow Arrow Lakes Drive for approximately 5-6km until you reach Hugh Keenleyside Dam and follow signs for parking.

From Nelson: Follow Hwy 3a towards Castlegar. Just after the Brilliant Dam, turn right on the Broadwater Road and stay on this road (do not turn right again towards Robson.) After the bridge the Broadwater Road changes into Arrow Lakes Drive. Travel for about 5-6 km along Arrow Lakes Drive until you reach Hugh Keenleyside Dam, and follow signs for parking.

Broodstock Collection Video

Check out our sturgeon broodstock video from the Columbia River. Please place and drag one or more markers on the map to indicate where the sighting(s) occurred. Use the zoom and pan controls to place the markers precisely.