I recently had the wonderful experience of watching sea-run cutthroat trout jumping in the waters of the Gorge. This is a testament to a cleanup effort in the Gorge that has spanned 80 years. It is also a testament to the clean water in the Colquitz River that supports the salmon stocks, as well as the variety of smaller fish that draw in the salmon. The Colquitz River is fed by Swan Lake, which in turn is fed by Blenkinsop Creek, and at the beginning of this natural string of pearls is the King’s Pond wetland and watershed.
The function of the watershed is to filter the water that eventually enters the whole system. What happens at King’s Pond has potential to affect salmon stocks in the Gorge.
A subdivision development in the District of Saanich is being proposed on the watershed and wetland that feeds directly into King’s Pond, and eventually the Colquitz River. The surface runoff alone from construction and the large area of impervious surface proposed on top of the watershed could be devastating for King’s Pond and the wildlife and vegetation the pond supports.
To date, there has been no report certified by a professional that the land may be used safely for the use intended. Considering the land is subject to flooding, the Land Title Act requires such a report.
It is a modest enough request to protect the natural string of pearls that stretches from King’s Pond to the Gorge Waterway.
Andy Ruszel
Saanich
