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Discovering Kwilakm
  • Discovering Kwilákm
  • About
  • Get Involved
  • Changing Climate
    • Hotter Ocean Temperatures
    • Changing Ocean Chemistry
    • Rising Sea Levels and Intensifying Winter Storms
    • When Seashore Temperatures Spike – Killer Heat Dome 2021
  • Terminal Creek
    • Where does Terminal Creek’s Water Come From?
    • Signal Crayfish
    • Terminal Creek Fish Hatchery
  • The Lagoon
    • The Tidal Inlet that became the Lagoon
    • Aquatic Plants
    • Chum Salmon
    • The Beaver
    • Canada Geese
    • Three-Spined Stickleback
  • Shores
    • Nearshore Forests
    • Beaches
    • The Terminal Creek Sand Flats
    • The Curious Clay Beds of Kwilákm
    • Blue Mussels
    • Clams
    • Purple Stars
    • Oysters in Kwilákm
  • Shallows
    • Eelgrass
    • Young Chum Salmon
    • Winter Bay Birds
    • Year-Round Bay Birds
  • Deeper Waters
    • Plankton
    • Northern Anchovy
    • Harbour Seal
    • Octopus
Conservancy logoBowen Island Conservancy
    • About
    • Get Involved
  • Discovering Kwilákm
    • About
    • Get Involved
  • Changing Climate
    • Hotter Ocean Temperatures
    • Changing Ocean Chemistry
    • Rising Sea Levels and Intensifying Winter Storms
    • When Seashore Temperatures Spike – Killer Heat Dome 2021
  • Terminal Creek
    • Where does Terminal Creek’s Water Come From?
    • Signal Crayfish
    • Terminal Creek Fish Hatchery
  • The Lagoon
    • The Tidal Inlet that became the Lagoon
    • Aquatic Plants
    • Chum Salmon
    • The Beaver
    • Canada Geese
    • Three-Spined Stickleback
  • Shores
    • Nearshore Forests
    • Beaches
    • The Terminal Creek Sand Flats
    • The Curious Clay Beds of Kwilákm
    • Blue Mussels
    • Clams
    • Purple Stars
    • Oysters in Kwilákm
  • Shallows
    • Eelgrass
    • Young Chum Salmon
    • Winter Bay Birds
    • Year-Round Bay Birds
  • Deeper Waters
    • Plankton
    • Northern Anchovy
    • Harbour Seal
    • Octopus

Photo: Will Husby

Terminal Creek

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  • Introduction
  • Terminal Creek Map
  • Explore Further
Discover Kwilakm » Story » Terminal Creek » Terminal Creek

Terminal Creek is the main source of fresh water flowing into Kwilákm. Its watershed drains approximately one-third of Bowen Island’s land mass.

The nearly intact forest lands that it drains act as a sponge, soaking up winter rainfall and snow melt, then releasing water into its many tributaries throughout the summer dry season.

Map: Will Husby

Terminal Creek Map

Click below to highlight each area on the map.

Terminal Creek
Lagoon
Beaches
Shallows

Every winter, Grafton and Killarney Lakes, the island’s largest, fill to the brim.

Killarney Lake
Photo: Will Husby

The Killarney Creek beaver wetland stores thousands of litres of freshwater.

Beaver Wetland
Photo: Will Husby


This system ensures a year-round flow of freshwater habitat for many stream creatures, which in turn provide food for baby salmon.

Mayfly Nymph
Mayfly nymph Photo: Will Husby
Stonefly Nymph
Stonefly nymph Photo: Will Husby
Caddisfly Larva with Case
Caddisfly larva Photo: Will Husby

Terminal Creek also acts as a conveyor, moving nutrients and leafy debris from the inland forest into the lagoon and Kwilákm.

Wrack and leafy debris
Autumn is when vast quantities of leaves and twigs are flushed downstream into Kwilákm. Photo: Will Husby

Many marine creatures and plants feast on this abundant food. In this way, the fresh waters of the creek increase the abundance and diversity of the bay’s marine ecosystem.

More About Terminal Creek

  • Terminal Creek
  • Where does Terminal Creek’s Water Come From?
  • Signal Crayfish
  • Terminal Creek Fish Hatchery

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The Bowen Island Conservancy is a BC society and registered Canadian Charity.

Our charitable registration number is 867.261.299.RR001.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 301, Bowen Island, BC  V0N 1G0
Email address: info@bowenislandconservancy.org
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