Posters, Maps & Illustrations: INNOVATIVE STORMWATER PROGRAMS
"The Bowker Creek Urban Watershed Renewal Initiative (BCI) is a unique multi-jurisdictional effort to improve the health of a highly urbanized watershed. The Initiative was established because of concerns about flooding, pollution, and the degraded condition of Bowker creek. The Bowker Creek watershed is in the Capital Regional District (CRD) and the creek extends from the University of Victoria through the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria, and discharges to the sea through the District of Oak Bay."
"Over the last 200 years the watershed has changed from a natural state, to agricultural use, to the current mix of residential, commercial and institutional uses. Over the years much of the original creek channel has either been straightened or enclosed in underground pipes. Today only 2.9 kilometers are still above ground."
In addition to ongoing outreach to raise awareness, the BCI has completed an Inter-municipal Master Drainage Plan, which is Phase One of an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan.
The Integrated Stormwater Management Plan will provide a basis for making watershed management decisions.
The plan will address stormwater and rainwater management together with:
- the health of the creek and riparian areas, including water quality
- community use of the watershed
(e.g., a greenway corridor following the creek)
- land use and low impact development
- flooding and erosion concerns
In other words, an ISMP "addresses watershed health from an environmental, economic and social perspective."
In the future, the BCI plans to advocate for on-site retention and infiltration of stormwater to reduce effective impervious watershed area.
The Bowker Creek Homeowner's Guide is now available. This short newsletter gives tips for homeowners living in this or any urban watershed, describing practical ways to reduce pollution and runoff and improve biodiversity and creek health. Urban watersheds need everyone's help to become healthy, and each person can make a difference! Go to The Bowker Creek Homeowner's Guide now
Go to The Bowker Creek Initiative website
"Over the last 200 years the watershed has changed from a natural state, to agricultural use, to the current mix of residential, commercial and institutional uses. Over the years much of the original creek channel has either been straightened or enclosed in underground pipes. Today only 2.9 kilometers are still above ground."
In addition to ongoing outreach to raise awareness, the BCI has completed an Inter-municipal Master Drainage Plan, which is Phase One of an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan.
The Integrated Stormwater Management Plan will provide a basis for making watershed management decisions.
The plan will address stormwater and rainwater management together with:
- the health of the creek and riparian areas, including water quality
- community use of the watershed
(e.g., a greenway corridor following the creek)
- land use and low impact development
- flooding and erosion concerns
In other words, an ISMP "addresses watershed health from an environmental, economic and social perspective."
In the future, the BCI plans to advocate for on-site retention and infiltration of stormwater to reduce effective impervious watershed area.
The Bowker Creek Homeowner's Guide is now available. This short newsletter gives tips for homeowners living in this or any urban watershed, describing practical ways to reduce pollution and runoff and improve biodiversity and creek health. Urban watersheds need everyone's help to become healthy, and each person can make a difference! Go to The Bowker Creek Homeowner's Guide now
Go to The Bowker Creek Initiative website
7th October 2008 · by
