Can Salmon & Mallard Ducks Thrive Together at Bowker Creek?
by OB OIf the salmon do return to Bowker Creek, can they survive in a riparian ecosystem with Mallard Ducks?

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By OB11
How can we help Bowker Creek? Well, a start for this would be to educate yourself and learn more about th creek's ecosystem and what we can do to help. Bowker Creek is a possible home for amazing animals, these animals (such as the Coho salmon) used to live here. And they can live here again if we just clean up the creek and create a safe environment for new species.

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By OB16
Bowker Creek is around 14-1,1500 years of age. Bowker Creek is named after John Sylvester Bowker, an American settler who came to Oak Bay in the 1860s. Bowker Creek runs from the wetland on the University of Victoria campus through the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria, and discharged to the sea through the District of Oak Bay.

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By OB16
Runoff causes water pollution because it sometimes includes debris, chemicals, and other pollutants picked up by the rain. Fluids from the roads around Bowker creek go through storm drains, and the toxins are bad for the water. We need to make sure our watershed produces unpolluted runoff to increase the creeks water quality.

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By OB16
Many watersheds have a base document Integrated Storm Water Management Plan (ISMP). The Bowker Creek Blueprint: The Hundred Year Action Plan to Restore Bowker Creek Watershed,; is the intiative's unique verion of an ISMP. The restoration will significantly increase overall creek health by improving water quality, habitat, and flow conveyance.

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By OB16
It's very important to maintain a natural Bowker Creek. There are many easy ways to do our part, for starters, we would have to carefully watch the growth of invasive plants. We should also watch the pH levels of the water, and not use fertilizers in our gardens, to prevent toxic runoff. Also, spreading awareness can go a long way for the creek.

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By OB3
The Mallard Duck is always a constant visitor anywhere along a marsh or wetland or a ocean. Males have a dark green head and a yellow bill. Females are brown with blue feathers under their Wings. They eat the seeds of aquatic plants, seeds, stems, and insects when they are young. A great place to see them is at Beacon Hill Park or Bowker Creek.

By OB O
Salmon need pristine water to live in Bowker Creek. If we want the salmon to return, then Bowker Creek shouldn't remain as a drainage system. Because the run-off of human chemicals can harm the salmon.

By OB O
Here is National Geographic's Video about Salmon and their salmon run.

By OB O
Mallard ducks eat small crustaceans, grasses, and weeds. Ducks will also eat small sticklebacks and fish eggs, which is bad for salmon.

By OB O
Click to listen to the sound of a Mallard Duck.

By OB O
Here is a video clip of a Mallard duck feeding on salmon eggs in a spawning pool. The salmon then proceeds to attack the duck, defending its young.