This Ecological Reserve is an enclave within the complex of Castle protected areas: Castle Provincial Park, Castle Wildland Provincial Park and Castle River Provincial Park. The ER protects a small accumulation of beaver dams and wetlands that are important habitat for trout spawning and amphibians.
- Map of the Area
- Other Information
- Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist.ca)
- Site Statistics
- References
- Further Reading
Map of the Area
Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.
Other Information
Big Value, Small Area. As noted by the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) [1], the Castle is an essential piece of Alberta’s ecological puzzle as it connects Canadian and US National Parks to the south and the Flathead Basin to the west with habitats and wildlife populations in the mountains and foothills to the north. With numerous overlapping ecosystems in one relatively small area, the Castle Wilderness contains one of the highest animal and plant species diversities in Alberta.
History of Disturbance. The area was included in the enlargement of Waterton National Park in 1914 but was subsequently transferred to the Alberta Government in 1921. The AWA describes the subsequent abuses to the area as follows:
The cumulative impact of decades of petroleum development, logging, indiscriminate off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, commercial development and government mismanagement have been significant in the Castle Wilderness. Secure grizzly bear habitat has been reduced by at least 75 percent and the population has been cut in half. The annual death rate of black bears, largely the result of human encounters and habitat loss, is well in excess of a sustainable rate. There is evidence that since 1950, the elk population has plunged from 3,000 animals to 1,000. There has also been a 10 to 20 percent reduction in mountain goat distribution, and near-extirpation of the wolf.
Current Castle Status? Organizations such as the AWA (a member of the Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition) lobbied to protect the area in which this NA is included. The phase-out of OHVs was announced in 2017 but this was reversed in 2019. Currently, OHVs are permitted on designated trails [2].
One Diamond in a Crown. The ER is a relatively tiny, but important, part of one of the last remaining ecologically intact areas in North America known as the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. Geographically, the Crown of the Continent is centred on the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and stretches along the axis of the Rocky Mountains between the Canadian Central Rockies and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This ecosystem provides a secure core of connected land and critical wildlife travel corridors extending north-south from Canada into the United States [3].
Not Castle Mountain. The castle area should not be confused with Castle Mountain in Banff National Park.
Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist.ca)
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Observations & Projects for this Natural Area
- Observations for this Natural Area.
- No iNaturalist Projects.
Site Statistics
| Site Name | West Castle Wetlands |
| Site Type | Ecological Reserve |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Montane |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 357/98 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 581 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 413 |
| Total Area | 94.16 ha. (232.67 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | Hiking – backcountry |
| IUCN | IA |
| Operated By | Parks Division |
| Notes and Comments |
References
The following links are provided as a courtesy but are not verified or endorsed by SAPAA. Clicking on the link will cause you to leave the SAPAA website. Primary source of information is: Government of Alberta Information & Facilities – West Castle Wetlands Ecological Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2023-04-29).
- Alberta Wilderness Association, Areas of Concern, Castle.
- Government of Alberta, Castle Management Plan: Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park (2018); pp. 5-6.
- Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association, About Waterton Biosphere Reserve, Part of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.
SAPAA 