The project involved many organizations and individuals, each of whom worked tirelessly between June and November to bring the project to completion. The CRD Engineering Department provided engineering services and funding. G&E Equipment Rentals constructed the resloped banks and installed the rock. Dave Polster led a course that trained 20 community members in bioengineering techniques.
Dave’s students completed their field work at Bowker Creek, where they installed the fencing. St. Patrick’s Elementary students planted native riparian vegetation, including red osier dogwood, hardhack, willow, salmonberry, rose, snowberry, oceanspray, Indian plum, red flowering currant and sword fern. St. Michael’s University School Streamkeepers together with Stream Team’s HIT group and other community members completed the planting and mulched the upper planting area. The leaf mulch was donated by the District of Saanich. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this team effort such a huge success!
More work will be required to keep the project going. Additional mulching will be needed in the spring and weeding will be required throughout the next few years. If you are interested in lending your suppport, please contact Lehna Malmkvist, BCI Coordinator, at lmalmkvist@crd.bc.ca or 360-3256.
Leading Bowker Creek into the Future
Restoration Demonstration Project at St. Patrick’s Elementary School
Submitted by Lehna Malmkvist, Bowker Creek Initiative Coordinator
This summer, the Bowker Creek Initiative teamed up with the CRD Engineering Department to improve a 45-metre section of Bowker Creek. The project was part of the creek’s Northeast Trunk Sewer Upgrade at St. Patrick’s Elementary School.
Before the restoration, this section of the creek was bordered by eroding banks covered in grass and willows. The banks were so compromised that they were falling into the creek; this meant poor water quality and loss of habitat.
Together, the groups developed a plan to restore the creek crossing location. They also focused on an additional channel downstream that travels to a large culvert, taking the creek under Fort Street and Foul Bay Road.
First, a new pipeline was installed across the creek. The creek banks were then resloped, a row of rocks was installed at the base, biodegradable erosion control mats were put into place, and two willow wattle fences were incorporated. These provided additional stabilization and planting terraces. Once topsoil was added, native riparian vegetation was planted and leaf mulch applied.
Before, During and After the Restoration Project
