Bowker Creek Daylighting

Project Highlights

The Capital Regional District retained KWL to reconstruct approximately 120 metres of Bowker Creek as part of redevelopment of the Oak Bay High School in Victoria, BC.  The project was the first significant step in rehabilitating Bowker Creek under the 100-year Bowker Creek Blue Print plan.  This plan, developed in partnership between the Capital Regional District, the City of Victoria, the District of Saanich and the District of Oak Bay, provides a long-term vision for restoring Bowker Creek and its urbanized watershed.

The work included a naturalized creek channel, riparian vegetation using native species, a multi-use pathway integrated into the regional trail network, a Garry oak meadow, and outdoor classroom space for the school.  The project provides students with the opportunity to learn about ecology and stream health while providing public awareness of the importance of protecting urban streams.

The multidisciplinary project design team included engineers, landscape architects, biologists, and an environmental education consultant.  The team sought input from students and community members through design workshops and a design charrette, and incorporated this input into the final design.  KWL completed the detailed design, oversaw construction, and developed a monitoring program, which included installation of a hydrometric site.

KWL fostered a collaborative team environment with the various stakeholders including the Capital Regional District, District of Oak Bay, School District 61, general contractors for the school reconstruction and Bowker Creek restoration, students, and community members.  This resulted in a successful project that met multiple design objectives, many site constraints, a strict project schedule, and limited budget.