For last year's annual Design Victoria event, organizers released an open call to architects, landscape architects, and urban designers asking to showcase unbuilt projects in the Victoria area. Instead of rehashing and old proposal we used the opportunity to explore an idea we've long been discussing in the studio: how could the Bowker Creek watershed be reimagined to handle the stormwater issues plaguing the area and make a positive contribution to the quality of life of the residents of Victoria—human and non-human. A reimagining of Bowker Creek is needed. After years of poor development practices the vast majority of the creek of one of the region’s largest urban watersheds has been buried, channelized, and degraded. We propose our vision for the Bowker Blueway as a connective thoroughfare made possible through a series of strategic land assemblies and densification to pay for a proper daylighting of Bowker which provides much needed park program, tackles the housing supply crisis and improves the habitat for all the city’s residents, especially salmon that make their journey up the Bowker to reproduce. Instead of focusing development on streets, the Bowker Blueway offers an eco-friendly and healthful connection between the Royal Jubilee and beyond.

History of Urban Development in the Bowker Creek Watershed

The Bowker Creek watershed, located in the Capital Regional District of British Columbia, has undergone significant transformation due to urban development over the past century. Originally a natural watercourse flowing through forests and wetlands, Bowker Creek was heavily modified as Victoria, Oak Bay, and Saanich expanded. By the early 20th century, much of the creek was channelized and enclosed in culverts to accommodate roads, homes, and commercial areas. As development increased, natural vegetation was removed, and impervious surfaces such as pavement and buildings replaced permeable landscapes. This shift not only disrupted the creek’s natural hydrology but also fragmented its ecosystem, reducing habitat for native fish and wildlife. The expansion of stormwater infrastructure, designed to quickly divert rainwater away from developed areas, further altered the watershed’s natural flow patterns, increasing peak flows and sediment transport. More about the history of Bowker can be found on this excellent Story Map created by Friends of Bowker Creek.

Flooding and Climate Change Issues Linked to Urbanization

The extensive urbanization of the Bowker Creek watershed has contributed to severe flooding issues, particularly during heavy rainfall events. The conversion of natural landscapes to impervious surfaces has significantly reduced the ability of the ground to absorb rainwater, leading to increased surface runoff. This has overwhelmed stormwater systems, causing localized flooding in low-lying areas and exacerbating erosion along the remaining open sections of the creek. Climate change has further intensified these challenges, with more frequent and intense storms placing additional stress on already constrained drainage infrastructure. Rising sea levels and storm surges also pose risks to downstream sections of the watershed, particularly in Oak Bay, where Bowker Creek eventually drains into the ocean. Efforts to address these issues include daylighting sections of the creek, restoring riparian buffers, and implementing green infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens and permeable pavements to slow and absorb runoff, mitigating both flooding and long-term climate risks.

To learn more about efforts by the Capital Regional District consider visiting the CRD's Bowker Creek Initiative web page and if you'd like to participate in making the Bowker a healthier waterway volunteer with the Friends of Bowker Creek Society.