Saanich Peninsula streams

Working with member groups, Peninsula Streams endeavors to improve the health and function of Saanich Peninsula watercourses, watersheds and near shore marine environments through research, restoration, education and private land stewardship. One goal is to achieve healthy aquatic habitats with self-sustaining populations of native species.

Past projects have included riffle construction, riparian plantings and fence constructions within the Hagan Creek watershed. Projects have included groundwater/ aquifer monitoring, calculation of impervious surface areas, and an initiative for storm water management of an industrial park within the Hagan watershed. Fecal pollution, more than 44X safe swimming levels, has been a problem for Tseycum Creek, closing shellfish harvest for over 10 years. This has led to investigations to identify sources of fecal coliform and the relationship with rainfall / runoff, together with campaigning to raise landowner awareness.

When houses, farms and roads guide their runoff as quickly as possible into streams and ditches, the discharges from dozens of outfalls onto beaches and shoreline often turn inshore waters brown with silt. Seepage from inadequate septic fields, drainage from livestock paddocks and contaminants from highway runoff pour into bays and coves.

After a heavy rain, discharge from Hagan Creek along the shore of Saanich Inlet carries excessive sediment coming primarily from farmers' fields. Lack of stream bank vegetation and high storm water volume contribute to the problem.

Continuing to scrape ditches clear of plants and debris in order to get rid of the water as fast as possible increases the erosion of road beds and frontage. Is there a better way? Instead of speeding the water up, should it be slowed down? Water can be run through riffles, sand and gravel filters where it is slowed, oxygenated and purified by the roots of plants.

Riparian planting with native species stabilizes a stream bank against erosion

The strength of projects depends upon dedicated coordinators and volunteers. People and equipment get involved.

Portions of Hagan Creek water course under development.

Another recent project is the restoration of Ten Ten Creek near Victoria Airport.

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