Water
Hamilton Marsh is the largest body of water in the French Creek Watershed on which thousands depend. It is thought to contribute to the Qualicum Beach watershed as well.
“Little” Hamilton Marsh
It’s the largest body of water in the French Creek Watershed
The wetland is 36 hectares in size within 360 hectares of forest. “Little Hamilton Marsh (swamp) sits kitty corner, as the crow flies, to the former “Big Hamilton Marsh” where Pheasant Glen Golf Resort now sits. It’s a remnant of a sizeable ecosystem. There are many vernal pools that surround it.
Vernal pools are a type of wetland equally valuable to the larger one, and deeply sensitive to disturbance. They may also be called seasonal pools, temporary pools, autumnal wetlands, or ephemeral wetlands. Vernal Pool Facultative Species – Species that use seasonal pools for some part of their lifecycle.
French Creek Watershed Budget – Phase 3 – Full Version
The French Creek Water Budget – Phase 3 study by the RDN assessed the risk of current and future water usage and climate to the Environmental Flow Needs (EFN) of French Creek.
The EFN of a stream are defined as the volume and timing of water flow required for proper functioning of the aquatic ecosystem
French Creek Watershed Budget – Phase 3 – Summary
The French Creek Water Budget – Phase 3 study by the RDN assessed the risk of current and future water usage and climate to the Environmental Flow Needs (EFN) of French Creek.
The EFN of a stream are defined as the volume and timing of water flow required for proper functioning of the aquatic ecosystem
French Creek Watershed Study 2002
French Creek is considered to be a sensitive stream under the Fisheries Protection Act, and the watershed is a designated community watershed.Click here to read the report:
Wetlands
Wetlands as Infrastructure:
“Wetlands help to reduce the level of sediments, nutrients and toxic chemicals in the water. Learning from natural wetlands, many communities now use biofiltration wetlands to remove urban and agricultural contaminants before they enter streams.
The economic value of wetlands has been estimated at more than $22,000 per hectare per year for the hydrological, water quality, habitat and other functions they provide and estuaries are valued at $34,000 per hectare per year.”
*From brochure now out of print “Saving Wetland Sensitive Ecosystems” sponsored by the Environment Canada, Province of BC Ministry of Environment, and the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund.
Therefore Hamilton Marsh at 36 ha in size could have wetland values of more than $792,000 per year in services.
Here is an excellent article from the Tyee: New Model Helps Cities Value Natural Assets, Like Wetlands, as infrastructure.
Hamilton Marsh is the largest body of water in the French Creek Watershed. Read the French Creek Watershed Study.
It also contributes to the Qualicum Beach watershed and has been linked to the Grandon Creek Watershed.