Hadden Creek Watershed
Summary
Characteristics
- Sixth largest watershed in West Vancouver
- Originates on south-east side of Hollyburn Ridge above the British Properties area. Crosses Millstream, Crestline, Greenwood, St. Andrews, Kenwood and Southborough Roads before entering the Capilano Golf Club. Eleveden Lake is connected to creek by a seasonal tributary. Stevens Drive is the current upper limit of salmon access. Creek crosses under Upper Levels highway before entering Brothers Creek.
Watershed Use
- Residential
- Park: Hadden Park, Mount Moyne Square
- Recreational: Capilano Golf Club
- Schools: Westcot Elementary, Cedardale Centre, St. Anthony's School
- Fish: coho, cutthroat trout, crayfish
- Wildlife: diverse populations of mammal, bird and amphibian inhabit the watershed
- Automobile transportation
Concerns
- Classified as Endangered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada because impermeable area covers more than 10% of the watershed and urban development causes poor water quality and changes in the stream basin
- Obstructions and barriers to fish migration include culverting at road crossings and the channelization of the creek
- Diminished habitat due to lack of large woody debris and bank erosion
- Water quality altered through proximity to urban development and storm drain discharge and the potential for sewer lines breakages
Watershed Projects
- Notched weir installed 10 m downstream of highway entrance to create pool and allow entrance of salmon, 1997
- Baffles installed in highway culvert in herringbone pattern to form eddies where fish can rest as they go through culvert, 1997
- Creek bed re-naturalized over 40 m section upstream of highway, creek reshaped, bank replanted and series of pools created, 1997
- Culvert replaced and slope reconstructed in 13th fairway of Capilano Golf Club
Prepared by Elizabeth Hardy, March 2003