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'Catastrophic' sediment dump threatens spawning salmon at Shawnigan Creek

On October 2, 2026, a water main strike at an upstream development overwhelmed sediment controls, dumping approximately 50 dump truck loads of soil into Shawnigan Creek and killing an unknown number of spawning Coho.
For decades, the Mill Bay and District Conservation Society has assisted Coho migration above waterfalls on Shawnigan Creek, but the spill overwhelmed their fish trap holding around 800 fish intended for a Saturday move.
Turbidity levels measured over 700 per cent above lethal limits for salmon, and the MBDCS Facebook post called the day "difficult and sad" after volunteers discovered 30 mortalities in the fish trap.
The Ministry of Environment and Parks confirmed the Environmental Emergency Branch is coordinating remediation, while the developer retained a consultant and opened the Shawnigan Lake weir to flush sediment downstream.
Long-Term survival remains uncertain, as sediment coating fish gills may prevent spawning. The Ministry will determine regulatory non-compliance and enforcement actions following its review of the incident.

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