On Saturday March 31st, 2007 the Friends of Bowker Creek and community volunteers came out to help complete a bioengineering prescription on Bowker Creek, at Monteith Street in Oak Bay (across from Fireman's park). This site, alongside an allotment garden owned by Oak Bay municipality, was experiencing significant erosion of the stream bank due to high water velocities that occur during heavy rain events.

The bioengineering prescription that was used to stabilize the bank is interesting in that it combines two techniques: soil wrap normally done with brush layers, and willow wattle fences. Dave Polster, M.Sc., R.P.Bio provided the group with the technical expertise on how to construct the wattle fences. For more information on bioengineering please read Dave Polster's paper: Soil Bioengineering Techniques for Riparian Restoration (pdf 1mb).

This is the third section of Bowker Creek to receive bioengineering treatment, and the first time it has been applied in Oak Bay. Staff from the District of Oak Bay were a significant help in this project and their participation is appreciated. The other two sites that have already had banks stabilized with bioengineering are in Saanich along St. Patrick's School and near Browning Park.

Thank you to the volunteers that helped to complete this stream improvement project and to Rob Miller for organizing it. Click on any of the pictures to see the full size image.