Grafton Lake Watershed Management Plan - Bowen Island Municipality

About this Project

The Grafton Lake watershed is a vital drinking water source for Bowen Island residents. It holds significant ecological, cultural, and recreational value for the community and visitors alike. For these reasons, Bowen Island Municipality is developing the Grafton Lake Watershed Management Plan (the Plan). This Plan will guide how the watershed is protected, used, and managed over the long term.

Shaded relief map showing the Grafton Lake watershed outlined in translucent blue. The irregular boundary covers a hilly or mountainous area with ridgelines and valleys. Light blue lines indicate streams flowing toward Grafton Lake, which appears near the right side of the map. Several labeled roads, including Harding Road, Side Road, and Grafton Road, cross the watershed. Nearby features such as Josephine Lake and surrounding terrain contours are visible in gray, highlighting elevation changes.

Infographic of the Grafton Lake watershed with illustrated evergreen trees at the top and a dark green panel showing key statistics: lake surface area is 15 hectares, watershed area is 700 hectares, average daily traffic is 3,612 cars, and 150 homes are located within the watershed. Simple icons of cars, houses, and trees accompany the text, along with a note about protected areas within the watershed.

What Is the Watershed Management Plan?

The Grafton Lake Watershed Management Plan will be a long-term framework to guide decision-making and stewardship of the watershed. The Plan will:

Identify what makes the watershed valuable, how it is used, and what we know about current and potential future conditions

Identify current and future risks to water quality, water supply, and ecosystem health

Recommend and prioritize risk-informed management actions which may include policy recommendations, public communications, projects, and a long-term monitoring and adaptation management program.

Be informed by scientific studies, technical data, and Indigenous knowledge, along with input from the community.

This page provides an overview of the project. Check back regularly for project updates to learn more and get involved.

Project Process

The Watershed Management Plan is being developed through a phased and adaptive process throughout 2026.

Learn about the watershed and what matters to the community

Phase 1

We are here!

Learn about the watershed and what matters to the community

Gather additional information, where needed

Phase 2

Gather additional information, where needed

Understand potential risks and current management practices

Phase 3

Understand potential risks and current management practices

Develop the Watershed Management Plan

Phase 4

Develop the Watershed Management Plan

How to Engage

Community input, along with technical analysis, will be central to this project. Engagement events will happen throughout the summer at select Farmers’ Market, Canada Day celebrations, and BowFest. Details of these events are coming soon.

We Want to Hear From You

Stay tuned for more information on engagement opportunities!

This project received a Maggie Cumming Legacy Grant from:

Questions?

Contact Carla Skuce, Manager of Environment & Parks Planning at 604-947-4255 ext. 244 or email cskuce@bimbc.ca.