Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association

Quick's Pond

Stewardship is an important factor in maintaining our urban lifestyle without the footprint of our presence crushing the wildlife and aquatic resource that are naturally present. Salmon bearing streams, that flow through built up areas, are very delicate and can be permanently effected by many problems related to urbanization. As part of our hands on initiative to help preserve our beautiful local urban waterways, the Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association participated through partnership in the Colquitz Creek Quick's Pond and surrounding marsh enhancement project. The VFGPA has provided volunteers to assist with the Colquitz Creek Quick's Pond Project.

Quick's Pond has seen a reduction in its wildlife and fish carrying capacity due to several factors. Some traditional species of birds are no longer frequenting the area and the water conditions in the pond are no longer optimum for rearing Coho Salmon. A species of Canary Reed Grass has invaded the marsh, is choking out other native species and reducing the ponds size.

The work that has been done to rehabilitate the Quick's Pond will return this delicate ecosystem to it's former state. The Victoria Fish and Game Volunteers participated in a partnered project to install 3 channels between the traditional creek and the pond itself allowing water to once again flow between the pond and the creek. Also, extensive riparian planting (trees and shrubs) has been undertaken around the channeled area to re-instate the native species and thus create shaded areas which should steadily reduce the Canary Reed Grass.

The efforts of our volunteers and other groups who partnered in this two phase project will bring long beneficial results to the Quick's Pond, and as the Coho Salmon wintering habitat improves we should see increased numbers of Coho return to the Colquitz Creek system. Our Colquitz Counting Fence should assist greatly in monitoring the Coho Salmon numbers both adult and juveniles.

---