Collective for Lower Elk Aquifer Restoration

The Collective for Lower Elk Aquifer Restoration (CLEAR) is a volunteer community water and environmental stewardship group. We are a registered B.C Society as of February, 2023.

Our mission: To restore, preserve and protect Elko and Baynes Lake aquifers., surface water and eco-systems that rely on the Elk River, for the benefit of the natural environment and the people who live, work and recreate here, for generations to come.

We formed initially to address critically low water levels in our area in 2022. Some kettle lakes were dry and others reduced to puddles. Aquatic and semi aquatic habitats were reduced or gone. Some domestic wells dried up. Our area has had recurring low water concerns for decades related to changed to Elko Hydro Dam operations on the Elk River,

Restoring reliable water quantity and quality is a start. However, water and environmental stewardship is only going to become more important given changes in climate, population growth, developmental pressures, changes in Elk River water use upstream and cumulative environmental effects.

We are honored to have Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi 'it membership on our board. We recognize we are on the traditional lands of the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi 'it and they are the original stewards.

Our partners include the Regional District of the East Kootenay, Baynes Lake Community Society, Elk River Alliance, Elk River Water Monitoring Collaborative, Wildsight, Living Lakes Canada and others.