Bonanza Marsh, located where Bonanza Creek empties into the north end of Slocan Lake, is an important natural wetland and home to at least 148 species of birds and some rare plants, according to Silverton biologist Nancy Anderson. "Bonanza Marsh is a veritable haven in which young animals can grow up. The quality, quantity and rate of flow of the water are important to the marsh and any changes can directly affect its health."

Nancy Anderson describes the role of wetlands: "Wetlands are defined as areas of great biodiversity and in their life associations of large numbers and species of both plant and animal life there is also the greatest stability and survival rate. Wetlands associated with lakes and river systems are their nurturers and suppliers of living systems. Wetlands are well balanced systems of plant and animal life and seldom have many dominant species. In such systems the survival rate is high."