Our survey is now closed

Survey about Meager Creek and Keyhole Hot Springs, near Pemberton, BC

Thank you for sharing your views on the future management of Meager Creek Hot Springs and Keyhole Hot Springs through a public survey hosted by the Fraser Basin Council. The survey closed February 28, 2020. For background, see the information below.

About the Project

The Province of BC and Lil’wat Nation are working together to address public visitation at Meager Creek Hot Springs and Keyhole Hot Springs, both natural hot springs in the Upper Lillooet River Valley. The Fraser Basin Council (FBC) has assisted the project partners as an impartial facilitator, conducting outreach and engagement with stakeholders and the public.

Land managers are interested in these areas for the following reasons:

• Hot springs are unique and popular destinations
• Both Meager Creek and Keyhole Hot Springs have high wildlife values, ecological values, cultural and spiritual values, as well as recreational values
• Both places have seen impacts to these values from visitation in the past (e.g., human-wildlife conflict, lack of proper food storage and garbage)
• The Mount Meager Volcanic Complex is one of the most geologically active areas in North America, and risks to public safety exist from natural hazards (i.e., landslides)
• New and upgraded industry roads in the Upper Lillooet and the Meager Creek drainage (i.e., permit roads supporting industrial activity such as logging) have improved vehicular access to both hot springs, though there are public motorized access restrictions in place to protect grizzly bears and public safety
• The Meager Creek Hot Springs recreation site has been closed since the 2010 Capricorn landslide destroyed access to the area, and the Keyhole Hot Springs and Keyhole-Lil’watátkwa7 trail are closed from April 1 – November 15 annually, due to increased wildlife conflicts caused by recreational users. However, people continue to visit both places, despite these closures.

In light of changing road access and recent increases in public visitation during site closures, the Province and Lil’wat are taking this opportunity to reassess management of both hot springs.

The Survey

A public survey was conducted in early 2020. The results will be considered as the project partners define objectives for the future management of both hot springs. For more information and updates, visit the Government of BC page Sea to Sky Visitor Use Management.

About FBC

FBC is a not-for-profit organization that works to advance sustainability in the Fraser Basin and across British Columbia.