In WittyB次元官网网址檚 Lagoon park, Bilston creek offers a picture of what nature should be B次元官网网址�- a clear meandering stream, home to native cutthroat trout and thick with streamside vegetation.
A small dam built before living memory almost looks like an organic part of the river. Crisscrossed with fallen trees, it creates ideal shade and shelter for trout. ItB次元官网网址檚 also a reminder of the long history of human influence on the creek.
B次元官网网址淭he dam is part of the history of Bilston. It functions just fine,B次元官网网址� says Ian McKenzie, with the Bilston Watershed Habitat Protection Association, overlooking the pool, which may have been used as a drinking hole for cattle in the past. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one of those things that adds character to the stream.B次元官网网址�
The Bilston group has worked for decades on projects to restore the health of the creek from damage done in the 1980s and 90s. Now with residential development ever expanding within the 7,900 acres of the Bilston watershed, the creek and its tributaries are weathering the influence of rapid urbanization, particularly in Langford.
To stem the tide of pollutants, the Habitat Acquisition Trust, a non-profit land trust, is rolling out another phase of its B次元官网网址淕ood NeighboursB次元官网网址� project within Bilston and North Latoria watersheds.
HAT is spreading the message that homeowners and hobby farmers can take relatively simple actions to keep the creek and watershed healthy, and is offering education and advice to interested residents.
B次元官网网址淲e want to prevent pesticides and nutrients from getting into the creek,B次元官网网址� says Todd Carnahan, HATB次元官网网址檚 Good Neighbours project leader. B次元官网网址淲e can identify problems and things people can do to keep the trout population healthy in the stream. We want people to be part of a place they value.B次元官网网址�
In urban areas, being a steward can mean not using chemical pesticides on gardens and lawns, removing invasive plant species and allowing native streamside vegetation to flourish. On hobby farms, it can mean keeping livestock out of the creek and siting manure piles away from drainage areas.
B次元官网网址淚f there is beautiful streamside vegetation, we like people to leave it alone. Plants hold the soil, prevent run off and slow the release of water into natural streams,B次元官网网址� Carnahan says. B次元官网网址淥ften the best thing is about doing nothing.B次元官网网址�
Bilston creek and its many tributaries flow out of the green hills of Mount Wells Park and drain in WittyB次元官网网址檚 Lagoon some seven kilometres east. Shorter North Latoria creek flows out of Triangle Mountain to Albert Head.
Both systems collect pollutants as they wind around homes, farms, failing septic systems and roadways B次元官网网址� the threat to watersheds is damage by a thousand paper cuts.
Carnahan says fish kills in North Latoria creek in recent years highlighted the need for public stewardship programs in Colwood, Langford and Metchosin. McKenzie says residential development in Langford is continually washing dirt into the creek.
B次元官网网址�(WittyB次元官网网址檚) lagoon is gradually filling with silt and will eventually become a field,B次元官网网址� McKenzie says. B次元官网网址淟angford has development guidelines in place, but still, thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of silt going into the stream.B次元官网网址�
Silt and mud hurt spawning trout, who are native to the creek system and never leave, and have never had their numbers boosted by hatchery fish. Most of the Bilston enhancement projects over the years have been focused on creating better fish habitat B次元官网网址�- healthy trout are a good indicator of the overall health of the watershed.
B次元官网网址淭here are a reasonable number of trout,B次元官网网址� McKenzie says, B次元官网网址渂ut they are at risk due to urban development.B次元官网网址�
HAT is seeking homeowners to become stewards of Bilston and North Latoria watersheds. Call 250 995-2428 or drop by the HAT office at 827 Broughton St. See for more information.
For more information on the Bilston Watershed Protection Society, see .
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
