Whirling disease has now been detected in British Columbia — but it hasn’t reached the Elk Valley watershed, and it’s up to all of us to help keep it that way.

Whirling disease is caused by a microscopic parasite (Myxobolus cerebralis) that affects salmonid fish, including Westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and mountain whitefish — all native to the Elk River. The disease is especially dangerous to juvenile fish, with mortality rates exceeding 90% in some cases, such as in Montana’s Madison River in the 1990s.

Infected fish may show signs like a black tail, spinal deformities, or an unusual spinning swimming pattern — but professional testing is required to confirm the disease.

A Rising Threat in BC Waters
Whirling disease was first discovered in Canada in 2016 in Banff’s Johnson Lake. Since then, it has spread across many southern Alberta watersheds, including the Crowsnest River — just 15 minutes from the Elk Valley. In 2023, it was confirmed in Emerald Lake (Yoho National Park), and in 2024, the disease was detected in both the Kicking Horse River and Kootenay Lake.

While the Elk River is upstream of known infected waters in BC, the main risk of spread is through human activity. The parasite’s spore stage is highly resilient, capable of surviving several days out of water, especially in mud on boats, waders, nets, and fishing gear.

Help Keep Whirling Disease Out
With a thriving fishing and tourism economy in the Elk Valley, keeping whirling disease at bay is critical. Everyone who spends time on the water — from anglers to paddlers — should follow the BC Government’s protocols to prevent the spread:

• Do not transport fish or fish parts from one waterbody to another.

• Clean, drain, and dry all boats and gear for at least 24 hours or until fully dry.

• Decontaminate equipment using a 10% bleach solution or Quaternary Ammonium Compounds like Quat Plus. Full decontamination protocols are available at gov.bc.ca/whirlingdisease.

• Pull the plug — as of May 17, 2024, it’s the law in BC. All boaters must remove drain plugs and drain water from internal compartments (bilges, ballasts, live wells, etc.) before transporting their watercraft on land.

• If you suspect a case of whirling disease, take a photo, record your location, and report it to the BC Government via their invasive species channels.

Stay Informed
For detailed information on whirling disease and what you can do to help prevent its spread, visit the Government of British Columbia’s aquatic invasive species page at: gov.bc.ca/whirlingdisease

Let’s work together to protect the Elk Valley’s fish populations, river health, and economy. With vigilance and good stewardship, we can keep whirling disease out.