Goals and Approaches

The following approaches are being integrated into the updated actions to achieve the four goals of the Bowker Creek Blueprint.

Goal 1: Improve and expand public areas, natural areas and biodiversity in the watershed.

Approach 1: Plant native trees and plants & remove invasive species

Native trees and plants are vital components of healthy and resilient ecosystems. They provide ecosystems services such as food and habitat for native wildlife, absorption of rainfall, shading cooling and resilience to climate change. Urban development and invasive species have reduced available habitat for native plants. By continuing to remove invasive species and planting native species we can support biodiversity in the watershed.

Approach 2: Creek restoration

Creek restoration involves working towards the recovery and renewal of a degraded creek. Restoration of sites along Bowker Creek can include: rehabilitation of riparian areas with native plants and trees, removal of invasive species, creation of more gently sloping banks where appropriate and other activities that help improve habitat and water quality. The restored creek will provide a community amenity and gathering space as well as ongoing education on the many benefits of a healthy watershed.

Approach 3: Create biodiverse corridors through greenways

A multi-use greenway corridor from the headwaters to the ocean will provide habitat connectivity through the watershed, improve biodiversity, and provide routes and connections to regional trails improving safe walking, cycling and nature viewing throughout the watershed.

Goal 2: Achieve and maintain acceptable water quality in the watershed

Pollution is often caused by curbside storm drains which take stormwater directly to Bowker Creek. The surfaces of roadways and parking lots are contaminated with oil and other chemicals from cars, and this pollution is quickly delivered to the creek when it rains, causing serious pollution problems.

Approach 1: Green Stormwater Infrastructure

As rain travels over roofs, driveways and roads it picks up chemicals, metals, dirt and oils. Green stormwater infrastructure can improve water quality and can clean and infiltrate rainwater runoff before reaching the natural receiving environment. A raingarden can absorb runoff and reduce these contaminants through soil filtration and vegetative uptake. Incorporating this infrastructure throughout the watershed will help improve water quality and fish habitat.

Approach 2: Preventing Pollution

Homeowners and developers can prevent pollution in many ways including minimizing hardscape areas for driveways and patios and avoiding the use of chemicals where possible. Preventing contaminants and sediment from entering storm drains and Bowker Creek can make significant improvements to watershed health.

What can you do? Watch our Prevent Pollution video

Approach 3: Monitoring Water Quality

Continuing water quality monitoring will provide information about the health of the creek and where to focus our efforts. The CRD and the Friends of Bowker Creek conduct water quality monitoring in Bowker Creek. Recent data indicates that inputs and urban development in the watershed continue to degrade water quality. Many water quality parameters have at times been measured at levels that can be harmful to aquatic life.

Goal 3: Manage flows effectively

Historically the Bowker Creek Watershed has had issues with flooding of public and private property. Urban redevelopment generally results in an increase in impervious area (i.e. roads, sidewalks and buildings), which increases peak flows and volumes. Furthermore, climate change predictions indicate more intense rainfall in the winter.

Approach 1: Green stormwater infrastructure

Rain gardens, green roofs, bioswales, tree soil cells, permeable pavers, cisterns and infiltration chambers are all examples of green stormwater infrastructure that capture and slow the flow of rainfall and allow it to infiltrate the ground like it would in the natural environment. There are many examples of this in the Bowker Creek watershed and more are needed to minimize peak flows and prevent flooding.

Approach 2: Daylighting

Freeing the creek from underground pipes can provide increased capacity in the creek to help manage flows; provide habitat in support of protecting and restoring biodiversity (including efforts to reintroduce chum salmon); and provide a valued community amenity.

A Daylighting Feasibility Study provided options for removing piped sections of Bowker Creek and restoring it to an open channel along the entire length of the creek. A restored Bowker Creek will provide stormwater benefits as well as numerous aesthetic, economic, and environmental benefits.

Approach 3: Large stormwater storage facilities

Opportunities for large stormwater management facilities are being explored through land owner partnerships as a mechanism to help manage flows and restore hydrological function to the watershed. Examples can include playing fields that can be designed to store rainfall from large storm events for a 24 hour period.

Goal 4: Individuals, community and special interest groups, institutions, governments, and businesses take responsibility for actions that affect the watershed

Approach 1: Incorporate Blueprint goals and actions into municipal plans

All three municipalities have successfully incorporated Blueprint goals and actions into municipal plans. Most recently the City of Victoria and District of Saanich included Bowker Creek in their Official Community Plan (OCP) engagements. This approach continues to be important as Official Community Plans (OCP) are updated, and other action plans or strategies are developed.

Approach 2: Education and engagement

Providing educational information and engaging with the residential, institutional and business community helps to foster landowner and community awareness and connection to Bowker Creek, builds a culture of stewardship and encourages action. Approximately 30,000 people live in this watershed. It will take actions by everyone to restore a healthy creek.

What can you do? learn more about Bowker Creek stewardship

Approach 3: Collaboration and partnership

Building relationships with landowners, community groups, schools, public organizations, First Nations and municipal governments is an important way to move the Blueprint forward. In a highly urban environment, voluntary partnerships in pursuit of achieving the Blueprint goals are needed to restore Bowker Creek to a healthy watershed.