Discover Your Watershed
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is comprised of over 300 watersheds which are over 100 hectares in size, plus numerous smaller named and un-named watersheds. Our coastal areas also have variable-sized natural and urban-influenced drainage areas that flow towards the harbours and marine shorelines without a creek or river. These natural, watershed-like, drainage areas primarily drain precipitation through the soil naturally, as interflow, finding the lowest point at the shoreline.
See the following maps:
- Watersheds of the Capital Region Map [PDF/8.4MB]
- Watersheds of Greater Victoria & Saanich Peninsula Map 2015 [PDF/3.4MB]
- Watersheds of Gulf Islands Map 2015 [PDF/1.4MB]
- Watersheds of Salt Spring Island Map 2018 updated [PDF/5.8MB]
- Watersheds of Juan de Fuca EA Map 2015 [PDF/1.9MB]
- Watersheds of Victoria Harbour, Portage Inlet, Gorge Waterway Map [PDF/8.6MB]
- 1854 Historical Map Greater Victoria [PDF/2.7MB]
Soil Infiltration Potential Maps & Report
- Capital Regional District (CRD) Infiltration Project Report (2016) [PDF/770KB]
- Greater Victoria & Peninsula Predominate Infiltration Potential Map [PDF/4.8MB]
- Salt Spring & Southern Gulf Islands Predominate Potential Map [PDF/3.3MB]
- Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Predominate Infiltration Potential Map [PDF/7.3MB]
© Map of the Districts of Victoria and Esquimalt in Vancouver Island. Published 1854, by John Arrowsmith. 2 inches to 1 mile. The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO). Reference #: CO 700/BritishColumbia2
Watershed Land Cover Maps
The provided watershed maps are snapshots of the health of a watershed based on the types of land use (forests, agriculture, impervious surfaces, etc.) within the watershed. The maps below were created using data from 2019 and 2011 land cover mapping, respectively.
Refer to the following links for additional information:
- Regional Land Cover Watershed Map [PDF/3.9MB]
- 2011 Land Cover Classification Report [PDF/33.2MB]
- 2021 Land Cover Classification Report [PDF/26.5MB]
Please note: The land cover maps depict percentage of land cover, but not density of cover within each class. For example, the dark green areas represent treed areas, but the density of the tree cover could range greatly from 100% to less than 25% tree cover. Information on percentage cover by density class (0-5%, >5-10%, >10-25%, >25-50%, >50-75% and >75%) is available for tree and impervious land cover.
Watershed Flow Diagrams
Provided here is a series of simplistic illustrations designed to help one determine which creek or lake is in which watershed and where it flows. Over 40 flow diagrams, highlighting the major watersheds in the capital region from Sooke to the Saanich Peninsula, have been developed. Some of these watersheds have a complex water flow, while others have a more simplistic flow. It is important to note that the storm drain network of pipes that a creek may flow in an out of, are not depicted on these flow diagrams.
This tool can be used by local governments and community alike to enable initiatives within a watershed to work together.
