Thanks to the efforts of the District of Saanich and Peninsula Streams and Shorelines (PSS) in a massive restoration project, coho salmon are returning to Gabo Creek.
This restoration project wrapped up in August, as 170 metres of the creek were brought back to life.
Since the project wrapped, the District says that nearly 270 coho salmon have been counted in the creek, where last year there were none.
“It’s been so incredible to witness such an increase in coho salmon using Gabo Creek, and to see the dedication and collaboration that staff and the community have put into bringing this important salmon habitat back,” says Alix Link, Manager of Urban Forestry, Natural Areas and Community Stewardship with the District of Saanich.
“Work like this ensures Saanich’s natural park areas are supported and can flourish for years to come.”
Though Gabo Creek is small, the District says that it plays a big role as a nursery for coho salmon fry and coastal cutthroat trout.
The creek’s waters are ideal for these fish because of its slow-moving water and shaded pools which provide shelter during hot summers and raging winter flows.
The reason the salmon disappeared from the creek in the first place is because of urbanization, sediment build-up and dredging that stripped away much of the natural habitat salmon required to survive.
Between July and August, restoration crews worked long days to prepare Gabo Creek for the return of salmon.
Some of the work they did involved removing sediment, adding spawning gravel, installing strategically placed stumps and logs to slow water flow, installing rocky bank protection and lastly, clearing debris which hindered the creek as a habitat.
Additionally, the District also spent weeks preparing safe site access.
“The restoration of Gabo Creek is part of more than a decade of hard work in the Colquitz watershed,” says Katrina Adams, Senior Aquatic Biologist with PSS.
“By working closely with the District of Saanich and bringing the community together, we’ve been able to steadily rebuild habitat that salmon and trout rely on. The success we’re seeing now is proof that long-term, collaborative restoration works.”
She added that collaborative efforts are also a reminder of how important it is to keep investing in restoration so that future generations can experience healthy streams and thriving salmon runs.
Going forward, District staff will be tasked with monitoring the creek to track salmon numbers and habitat health.
This restoration project was funded by the District of Saanich, BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, Pacific Salmon Foundation as well as Destination Greater Victoria.
This fall, District staff will return with PSS to host community planting events to restore native plants and trees along the banks.
