Spanish Bank Creek Daylighting

Location

Pacific Spirit Park to Spanish Bank Beach

Vancouver, BC

Canada

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Completion date
1999
Project area
Approx. 2,000 m2
Budget
$62,000
Certifications & Awards
Project Team
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)
  • Spanish Bank Streamkeepers
  • Vancouver Parks Board
  • GVRD
  • Contractor: John Hunter Co. Ltd
  • Funders: Habitat Restoration and Salmon Enhancement Program, Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Urban Salmon Habitat Program, BC Ministry of Environment; Fisheries Renewal BC, BC Ministry of Environment

Summary

Key Sustainability Features:

  • Habitat restoration: Spanish Bank Creek is one of three salmon bearing streams in Vancouver; restored riparian habitat has attracted species such as river otter, mink, eagles and heron; annual spawning returns occurring since 2001
  • Green infrastructure: a box culvert under the pedestrian trail allows fish passage during all flow levels; infiltration swales on the perimeter of the riparian area filter stormwater from adjacent parking lots

Using a community involvement program, the Spanish Bank Creek Daylighting project successfully restored a portion of an urban creek previously buried in underground culverts. The creek drains a watershed within the University of British Columbia Endowment Lands and Pacific Spirit Park and flows into English Bay at Spanish Banks Beach. Spanish Bank Creek Daylighting has recreated a historic spawning stream in a high profile location. Of particular significance is the project's successful demonstration of community-government partnerships, as the project was largely a joint effort between Fisheries and Oceans Canada and a community-based salmon enhancement group.

Early in the process the daylighting project required removal of several parking stalls and a culvert. Pools and a new stream bed of geotextile and gravel helped to reconstruct a naturalized stream environment.The stream's banks are stabilized with boulders and planted with native vegetation. The improved stream habitat has encouraged the return of coho and chum salmon adults to the creek and has created valuable riparian habitat for several other species such as river otter, a variety of bird life, and mink. Spanish Bank Streamkeepers have been caring for the creek since the implementation of the project in 1999. In 2004, an off channel pond habitat was added, which provides a refuge for fish during winter high and summer low water levels.

The creek is one of numerous historic salmon bearing streams that was lost to urban development. In addition to providing direct environmental benefits the Spanish Bank Creek Daylighting project contributes to the education and enjoyment of the community. Interpretive signs provide the public with environmental education and through the DFO's community involvement program local schools participate in salmon fry incubation and release of the fry into the creek. Spanish Bank Streamkeepers's ongoing stewardship of the creek also encourages strong community involvement. Thanks to this daylighting project Vancouver residents can observe spawning salmon in Spanish Bank Creek for the first time in decades.

Tours: Open to the public