The Bowker Creek (hypothetical) Salmon Run Initiative

 This document details the process, and purpose of our inquiry and the initial thoughts that lead us to research what would enable the restoration of a healthy salmon run in Bowker Creek.  

Coho salmon is the salmon species that we have decided would be a perfect fit to restore the Bowker Creek salmon run. Coho salmon are native to the west coast and are one of the original species that was historically part of the salmon run through Bowker Creek. Here is an image of a Coho salmon and how to identify the native fish. 

We have concluded that Coho salmon are the ideal species to inhabit a restored Bowker Creek. They were one of the only salmon species present in early Bowker Creek, a high water flow tolerance means that they would be adapted to Bowker's high flow. Coho salmon are endangered, so reestablishing this salmon run may also save the Coho salmon species. 

In order to lay her eggs (called roe), the female salmon uses her caudal fin to dig a shalow hole in the bottom gravel (a redd) to create a low-pressure zone where her eggs can incubate. The female covers the eggs by disturbing the gravel at the upstream edge of her redds. She may make seven redds for her ~5000 eggs. 

 The first five seconds of this clip shows a female salmon using her caudal tail to dig her redd. You can watch on to for an enhanced understanding of the salmon-incubation/maturing.

 Bowker Creek’s gravel doesn't meet salmon spawning requirements (read pdf) The surface has large stones that would be difficult to move and an underlayer that is fine and densely packed. To make the gravel bottom suitable for roe, about 8 cm of new gravel would need to be added to the creek’s floor to meet coho spawning criteria.

When in freshwater, coho salmon feed on plankton, insects, and larval invertabrates, but swtich to a diet of small fish upon entering the ocean. To regain these fish, Bowker Creek needs to have conditions to support populations of plankton, invertabrates and insects - such as stable water quality and ample food. Here are examples of such sources. 

 Restoring the vegetation on the creek bank would contribute to the creek’s marine biodiversity and provide more food supply to help support salmon populations. This is because the decaying plant matter that ends up in the creek could be consumed by the stream invertebrates which act as food for juvenile salmon (alevins.)

Part of the 100-year plan is to restore native vegetation on much of the creek corridor. The aim is to recreate the original creekside with as little influence from native plant species as possible. This will help create a better envrionment for food sources. Here is a stetch that has been made of possible  creek bed conditions on Shelbourne Road. 

Many Parts of Bowker Creek’s water quality are preferable to salmon, such as temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. It’s nitrogen and phosphate levels should be lowered, but the problem comes with ammonia - a toxic substance bowker creek has too much of. Here is a document detailing the preferred water quality levels for coho salmon.

Bowker Creek has had issues with the sewage system in the past as it follows the sewer line (as seen in the diagram above). Spills have a huge impact on water quality; high levels of nitrogen, phospherous and ammonia are associated with waste. To restore salmon, the stream needs to have a barrier preventing this, as seen in the current CRD plan.

 The primary focus of the Bowker Creek Initiative is to improve the Creek’s watershed (divide of runoff into water bodies,) because the excess water from storm drains in Bowker Creek is compromising the creek’s habitat qualities in several ways.

Although our plan for Bowker Creek may seem ideal, there are flaws that we must address before beginning the project. One being, the issue with excess stormwater contributing to the creek's water volume, and because there is plenty road runoff emptying into Bowker, the dirty water affects the turbidity and the salmon cannot withstand the haziness. 

The CRD 100-year blueprint is an incredible asset into the return of salmon into Bowker Creek. Focusing mainly on watershed, the action plan for Bowker Creek is to restore it to the pristine conditions it once had. Putting emphasis on community connections, the Bowker Creek Initiative is working to create a salmon-friendly habitat once again.

A main focus of the Bowker Creek Initiative is to connect the community, which will be greatly impacted by the salmon. Having such an important species nearby allows for learning opportunities, and having a place where you can actually see these creatures creates an opportunity for people to learn about how their actions impact living creatures.

Once we have tackled the necessary conditions for salmon to live in Bowker Creek, keeping them here is the next challenge. To preserve the run, a great deal of education must go into the community, and the emphasis on not littering. There must also be occasional clean-ups, to block any dams that have formed and may block the path of the salmon.

Our final plan to restore Bowker Creek's salmon is based around restoration: restoring the watershed, changing the flow of the river, creating suitable gravel, providing salmon food, reducing levels of ammonia, daylighitng parts of the creek, and reducing turbidity. While a huge project, it would result in bringing salmon back to Bowker Creek.