News Release
For Immediate Release

Saanich, BC – Gabo Creek is flowing stronger than ever, thanks to a major restoration project that wrapped up in August. Peninsula Streams & Shorelines and the District of Saanich restored another 170 meters of the creek, building on work completed last summer. These efforts are already paying off: nearly 270 young coho salmon were counted in the restored area this year, compared to none the year before.

“It’s been so incredible to witness such an increase in coho salmon using Gabo Creek, and to see the dedication and collaboration that staff and the community have put into bringing this important salmon habitat back. Work like this ensures Saanich’s natural park areas are supported and can flourish for years to come,” says Alix Link, Manager of Urban Forestry, Natural Areas, and Community Stewardship with the District of Saanich.

Why Gabo Creek Matters

Gabo Creek may be small, but it plays a big role as a nursery for coho salmon fry and coastal cutthroat trout. Its slow-moving water and shaded pools provide shelter during hot summers and raging winter flows. Over time, however, urbanization, sediment build-up, and dredging stripped away much of the natural habitat salmon need to survive.

The restoration work is bringing that habitat back.

What Changed in the Creek

Over three weeks in July and August 2025, crews worked long days to prepare Gabo Creek for the return of salmon:

• Sediment removed: 10 truckloads (120 cubic yards) cleared to reopen deep pools.
• Spawning gravel added: Two truckloads spread across new spawning beds.
• Logs and stumps anchored: 25 stumps and 14 large poplar logs installed to provide shelter and bank stability.
• Natural rock placed: 37 yards of cobble and four truckloads of blast rock added for bank protection and habitat.
• Debris cleared: old log jams and garbage removed to restore natural flow.

District of Saanich crews also spent weeks preparing safe site access and will return this fall with Peninsula Streams & Shorelines to host community planting events to restore native plants and trees along the banks.

Salmon Already Returning

Before restoration, only 35 cutthroat trout were found in the project area, with no coho fry recorded. Just one year later, monitoring found nearly 270 coho fry alongside 35 cutthroat trout, a remarkable sign of recovery.

"The restoration of Gabo Creek is part of more than a decade of hard work in the Colquitz watershed. By working closely with the District of Saanich and bringing the community together, we’ve been able to steadily rebuild habitat that salmon and trout rely on. The success we’re seeing now is proof that long-term, collaborative restoration works. It also reminds us how important it is to keep investing in this effort so that future generations can experience healthy streams and thriving salmon runs,” says Katrina Adams, Senior Aquatic Biologist with Peninsula Streams & Shorelines.

Looking Ahead

Staff will continue to monitor the creek to track salmon numbers and habitat health. Community members will also have the chance to get involved this fall at planting events to help restore the riparian areas around the creek. Look out for event listings on our Events Calendar in the coming weeks and read more about the District’s restoration efforts.

Funding support for the project came from the District of Saanich, BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and Destination Greater Victoria.

 

One of the hundreds of coho salmon fry found in Gabo Creek in 2025

Gabo Creek will continue to be monitored to track salmon numbers and habitat health.

-30-

Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca 

Peninsula Streams & Shorelines
peninsulastreams@gmail.com