Cougar Creek in Delta: Cougar Canyon

Once past the Nicholson Road culvert, Cougar Creek retains much of its original character as it flows about 2 kilometers westward through the dense mixed forest of the Cougar Canyon Environmental Reserve and down to Westview Drive at approximately 72nd Avenue.  A well-designed culvert under Westview is the only culvert along this entire distance. 

Massive erosion is a concern throughout Cougar Canyon, but especially where housing sits close to the streambank (closer than would now be allowed).  Some degree of erosion would occur naturally, but the speed and severity of the process have been vastly increased by the great volumes of stormwater runoff that are piped into the creek.

Demonstration rain gardens on Lyon Road near Cougar Canyon, including the Cougar Canyon Elementary School Rain Garden, show how we can tackle the erosion problem by reducing stormwater flow and increasing groundwater recharge.

The best spawning grounds in Cougar Creek are found in the stretch just upstream from Westview Drive, though historically, wild coho have been known to spawn as far upstream as the present footbridge at about 116th Street and Lyon Road. 

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