M'Clintock Bay to Lewes River Marsh (11549)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: M'Clintock Bay to Lewes River Marsh
Central coordinates: Latitude: 60.5500, Longitude: -134.4000
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 1000 to 1000
Area of KBA (km2): 170.15583
Protected area coverage (%): 12.06
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: M’Clintock Bay and the Lewes River Marsh are located about 30 kilometres southeast of Whitehorse, in the Yukon Territory. The shallow M’Clintock Bay is at the north end of Marsh Lake; here the outflow of the Yukon River is adjacent to the inflowing M’Clintock River, which has a rich delta, mudflats and beds of submergent aquatic vegetation, including pondweeds. Three kilometres downstream along the Yukon River is the Lewes River Marsh, which consists of side channels, shallows, marshes and mudflats on both sides of the main channel.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: M'Clintock Bay to Lewes River Marsh was initially identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Recent analysis shows that this site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of global significance for two aggregating bird species (Trumpeter Swan and Tundra Swan).
Manageability of the site: M'Clintock Bay to Lewes River Marsh intersects or contains one protected areas consisting of Lewes Marsh managed by Environment Yukon; Kwanlin Dün First Nation; Carcross/Tagish First Nation; Ta'an Kwach'an Council.
Delineation rationale: M’Clintock Bay and the Lewes River Marsh are located about 30 kilometres southeast of Whitehorse, in the Yukon Territory. The shallow M’Clintock Bay is at the north end of Marsh Lake; here the outflow of the Yukon River is adjacent to the inflowing M’Clintock River, which has a rich delta, mudflats and beds of submergent aquatic vegetation, including pondweeds. Three kilometres downstream along the Yukon River is the Lewes River Marsh, which consists of side channels, shallows, marshes and mudflats on both sides of the main channel.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |