Millstream Creek Watershed
The Millstream watershed consists of all the land that drains into Millstream Creek, which subsequently flows into Esquimalt Harbour, near the city of Victoria B.C. A large portion of the watershed is located along the eastern flanks of the Gowlland Tod range in the Highlands, and also includes urbanized areas in Langford and Colwood. The watershed is especially valued for its rural character, its rich history and its varied ecosystems.
Millstream Creek begins as several small streams in the hills of the Gowlland Tod range, and generally flows south. The main stem flows into Third Lake, and joins Hazlitt Creek at Second Lake, adjacent to Millstream Lake Rd. The stream then parallels Millstream Rd. for several kilometres. (A tributary called Earsman Creek begins farther to the west, on the southeast slopes of Jocelyn Hill in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, and joins the main stem downstream of Mary Lake, near Finlayson Arm Rd.) Millstream Creek winds through residential neighbourhoods in the Thetis Heights area, flows under the Trans Canada Highway, and past the base of Mill Hill, before arcing east to northeast and entering an estuary in Esquimalt Harbour.
Did you know?
- The bedrock forming the rocky hills of the Highlands was originally formed over 380 million years ago.
- The mill that gives the stream its name was established in 1848, just five years after Fort Victoria was built.
- The Millstream watershed contains dozens of wetlands that help to regulate the flows of the stream.
- A wide variety of birds as well as river otters can often be observed feeding on the mud flats in the estuary at the mouth of the stream.
- Additional Facts
- History & Uses
What projects are underway?
In 1996, the Capital Regional District commissioned a watershed assessment, which also acted as a prototype method for assessing other watersheds in the region. This report helped to characterise the overall function of the watershed and to identify concerns.
In 1999, the CRD convened a forum consisting of representatives from local residents’ associations, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, schools, municipal, regional and senior governments and BC Hydro. This group drafted the Millstream Watershed Management Plan, which outlines a vision, goals and objectives for the watershed.
CRD Parks staff and community volunteers conduct ongoing removal of invasive plant species in the parks.
The Veins of Life Watershed Society has also conducted fish habitat enhancements and built a fish ladder in Millstream Creek.
Additional Information & Links
- CRD Watersheds Publications Listing
- Towards a Recovery Assessment and LIterature Review: Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team
- British Columbia Website
- Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
- Mill Hill, Thetis Lake and Francis King: a Cultural History of Three Regional Parks
(PDF
) - CRD Mill Hill Restoration Plan (PDF )
- Management Plan for Gowlland Tod Provincial Park (PDF )
- Yorath, C.J. and H.W. Nasmith. 1995. The Geology of Southern Vancouver Island. Orca Book Publishers
- Ward, P., Radcliffe, G., Kirkby, J., Illingworth, J. and C. Cadrin. 1998. Sensitive Ecosystems inventory: East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands 1993-1997. Volume 1: Methodology, Ecological Descriptions and Results. Technical Report Seriew Number 320.
- Keddie, G. 2003. Songhees Pictorial; a History of the Songhees People as seen by Outsiders. Royal BC Museum.
© Image courtesy of L. Townsend
