Reay Watershed

2003 Fish Kill

Pollution events in 2003 and 2004 killed the coho salmon and cutthroat trout that had re-populated Reay Creek. We were deeply sorry to see the results of many years of restoration efforts by the Sidney Anglers destroyed. As yet there has been no definitive resolution to the toxic episodes that destroyed the earlier salmon & trout runs. Unfortunately, we have not been invited to take part in restoration planning for the Creek.

March 2003 fish kill in Reay Creek

News article about the 2004 kill:
Times Colonist - November 1, November 7, November 27
Peninsula News Review - November 12

In an effort to restore the salmon population in 2006, both volunteers and elementary-school classes released young fish into the creek. On March 17th, members of the public, Friends of Reay Creek and the Sidney Anglers released one thousand Coho smolts provided by Goldstream Hatchery.

Later in March students from several local schools released Coho fry they had raised in aquariums in their classrooms. The smolts will migrate out to sea by June to return as adults in 2007. The fry will remain in the stream until spring 2007 before going to sea to return in 2008.

Friends of Reay Creek

In the spring of 2006, the Friends of Reay Creek held work parties to remove garbage and invasive ivy, laurel, holly and blackberry. They have also planted cedar, alder and fir trees, and wild currant bushes. Sidney Anglers will add large woody debris in the fall.

The Friends of Reay Creek Park are a new group that is very active in restoration and the preservation of the Park. This dedicated group is headed up by the stalwart Sadey Guy.

Reay Creek Restoration Project

The Reay Creek Restoration Project has been the Sidney Anglers primary enhancement program since 1982. This small stream has been restored from a barren state to a functioning system with self-sustaining populations of coho salmon and sea run cutthroat trout.

Volunteers have rebuilt nearly one KM of stream by installing spawning beds, creating pool and riffle structures and adding protective habitats such as LWD and riparian planting.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada uses this stream project as an example of successful urban stream restoration and community involvement. The project has the support of local governments and residents, the Victoria Airport Authority as well as the Federal and Provincial governments. At present it is the only stream in Sidney and North Saanich with re-established runs of salmon and trout.

Coho Spawning Bed Construction
For 15 years, the Sidney Anglers have been adding logs and boulders to Reay Creek to re-construct riffles, pools and spawning habitat. Today, the stream supports coho and cutthroat trout and stands as an excellent example of the success that can occur with local stream and watershed restoration. Efforts to improve water quality are ongoing.

In 2004 the Sidney Anglers were out in full force-creating spawning habitat for the Reay Creek coho population. Coho runs were larger than most expected and so there has been a need to create gravel beds for the fish to spawn. With the help of the Victoria Airport Authority and the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS), Sidney Anglers and Peninsula Streams were able together able to restore precious habitat. The Sidney Anglers have been restoring habitat in Reay Creek for the last 20 years!

Sidney Anglers members at work on Reay Creek