Thames Creek Watershed Summary

Summary

Thames Creek Watershed
Total Drainage Area: km2
Length: Approx. 2.6 km
Orientation: North-South
Elevation Range: 140 to 230 m
Ave. Channel width: 1.5 - 2.5m.

Characteristics

Thames Creek is the main tributary of Hastings Creek
Thames headwaters north of the urban development of Lynn Valley and flows south through residential area in Lynn Valley until it joins Hastings Creek at Ross Road
Thames Creek is bordered by the Coleman Creek Watershed to the west and the Pierard Creek Watershed to the east
21% impervious surface in the Hastings Creek Watershed (GVRD, 1999)
54% of the Hastings Creek Watershed had forest cover (GVRD, 1999)

Watershed Use

Fish: Cutthroat Trout

Wildlife: Various species including raccoons, mink, river otters, black bears

Vegetation: Coastal Western Hemlock, dry subzone.

Residential: The area surrounding Thames is highly residential

Parks: Upper reach parallels Baden-Powell Trail

Schools

Concerns

Stream classified as endangered due to impacts (FRAP)
Significant loss of riparian vegetation along more than 50% of the fish frequented length of the stream due to development and removal by landowners (FRAP)
Urbanization in the watershed has significantly affected the stream basin (FRAP); 17 storm drains flow into Thames
Channelization and/or armourization (riprapping) of over 50% of the fish frequented length of the stream (FRAP)
The construction of culverts severely reduced coho populations
Status: Endangered - due to riparian removal, urbanization, culverting and degraded water quality

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