Urban stream reconstruction design criteria: Case study applying proper functioning condition principles to Leeds Creek, Victoria, British Columbia

In Victoria, British Columbia, Blenkinsop Creek and its catchment basin have undergone extensive non-industrialized urban development since the late 1800's. Contamination of the stream from non-point source pollution occurs as it flows from its headwaters (Blenkinsop Lake), located in agricultural lands, through residential and commercial areas, then through nature sanctuary lands and into Swan Lake. This diverse land-use pattern has resulted in fundamentally conflicting approaches to land management in the catchment.; Within the nature sanctuary, a proposed drainage ditch designed to solve a flooding problem was replaced with the construction of a 105-metre stream (named Leeds Creek), together with linked ponds and wetlands. An innovative, multi-partnered group including government, university, and industry provided funding for this project. The approach used seeks to link hydrology, vegetation, and soil erosion/deposition attributes and processes as the basis for stream restoration. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...