yiyχmɛštəm qʷaqʷtəm – Willow Creek Stewardship

yiyχmɛštəm qʷaqʷtəm

“We will take care of the Creek”

Stream and wetland restoration on χʷɛmaɬkʷu  lands for climate adaptation and resilience

As stewards of our lands, χʷɛmaɬkʷu (Homalco First Nation) has prioritized stream and wetland restoration on our lands at Campbell River. These lands and waters are in the Willow Creek watershed which we share with our neighbours.

The name of our project, yiyχmɛštəm qʷaqʷtəm, means “we will take care of the creek” in our ?ayʔaǰuθɛm language. Listen to the Pronunciation:

 

We are a resilient community and we are adapting to climate change. Changing patterns of rain, snow accumulation, and snow melt result in unpredictable water flows and yield patterns and reduced water quality. Risks associated with flooding are increasing and potentially impacting our community in many ways. Our safety and security, our homes and businesses, our cultural places, and our cultural and ecological values are all vulnerable. Restoration of our waterways reduces these risks and protects cultural and ecological resources by ensuring clean water and enhancing wildlife habitat, especially for salmon.

We are:

  • Protecting and conserving riparian areas and related wildlife and fish habitat so that we have thriving waterways of high natural and cultural value.
  • Protecting the waterways from pollution, sedimentation, storm surges and harmful temperature fluctuations.
  • Reducing the risk of flooding impacting our community homes and infrastructure by building adequate drainage and water crossing infrastructure.
  • Providing options for environmentally sensitive stormwater management strategies.
  • Creating opportunities for community reconnection with Willow Creek so we can enjoy the benefits it provides all of us.

Our activities include:

  • Watershed-level flood risk assessment.
  • Flood risk mapping on χʷɛmaɬkʷu lands.
  • Restoration of streams and wetlands.
  • Construction of climate change-ready water crossing and stormwater management infrastructure.

Watershed Area

Detailed Map

Uses and Activities We’d Like to See Along Willow Creek:

  • Access for low impact cultural activities such as bathing, foraging, harvesting, etc.
  • Low impact nature trails
  • Simple staircases constructed from natural materials (wood) or clearings to allow access to streams for cultural activities
  • Some amenities such as benches, picnic tables may be permitted following an environmental impact assessment.

Restoration of streams and wetlands will help us reduce risk to our community from climate related disasters (such as storm flooding), and protect cultural and ecological resources by ensuring clean water and enhancing wildlife habitat, especially for salmon.

 


Project Brochure – Click to Download

Explore the three main components of Xwémalhkwu’s work planned for Willow Creek Stewardship


Project Brochure – Click to Download
1 – Watershed Risk Assessment

This component of the work is COMPLETE.

The Xwémalhkwu Willow Creek risk assessment project began with community members’ concerns which were captured in emergency and disaster risk assessment.

We have undertaken risk assessment, the identification of high watershed risks, high-risk water crossing replacement design, and restoration design.

Read the Willow Creek Risk Assessment Project report.

 

2 – Restoration Planning

This component of the work is ongoing

A flood risk assessment is being conducted, and restoration planning is underway for the Willow Creek Watershed.

Read the Phase 1 report and timelines.

3 – Restoration and Infrastructure Work

This component of the work is ongoing.

What is Happening at Aupe Crescent?
Here is the sign that describes the project at the Aupe Crossing Replacement

Do you have details on the Culvert Replacement at Aupe Crescent?
Click here for the Preliminary Design Report from May 2025 (9MB)

Here is the Aupe Crescent Culvert Replacement Summary from April 2026 (4MB)

 

FAQs

Do you have a cool news article on this project to share?

Yes! See this National Observer article – Vancouver Island community puts beavers to work on climate risks

Do you have locations of our riparian values and potential restoration projects?

Here is the Watershed Restoration Opportunities and Riparian Values Inventory – Poster Board

How did this project start?

Click here for the Project Concept Proposal

Where is the funding for this work coming from?

For Phase I, Χʷɛmaɬkʷu, in partnership with the Strathcona Regional District, was successful in securing funding through the Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Adaptation stream of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund administered by the Union of B.C. Municipalities. Subsequently Χʷɛmaɬkʷu has received further funding from DRR-CA to continue this work.

We have also secured funding through the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program, administered through the Government of British Columbia. In May of 2025, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) provided χʷɛmaɬkʷu with $399,858 through the DRIF program to continue our yiyχmɛštəm qʷaqʷtəm Willow Creek stewardship work. This DRIF funding will support flood hazard and risk assessment, flood mapping, bridge and culvert design for water crossings on Homathko Drive, and stream restoration design using natural features for those two crossings. Read the Province’s announcement about this work here.

Are there any partner organizations working with  Χʷɛmaɬkʷu?

Yes! We are working with Strathcona Regional District, City of Campbell River, and Greenways Landtrust.

 

Project Newsletters

 

Engagement Presentations and Reports

Phase 2 Draft Report – April 2026

Current as of April 9, 2026 – this draft will evolve to capture events as the project proceeds.

Phase 1 Report – June 2025
Community Gatherings – 2024