Goldstream Provincial Park

IUCN Category II - National Park

The Niagara Creek case

The Goldstream Provincial Park is a provincial park in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is located in the city of Langford approximately 16 km northwest of Victoria on Vancouver Iceland and covers an area of ​​477 hectares, the park is located in the Capital Regional District.

Plant

The park is located in the immediate catchment area of Victoria. It consists of the spatially separate camping area and picnic area. The camping area is located on the Goldstream River to the Goldstream Falls, while the picnic area ( Day Use Area ) is located in the area around the Niagara Falls Creek and the lower reaches of Goldstream River. The Niagara Falls Creek this fall 47.3 m deep in a pool while on the other hand Goldstream Falls are just a few meters high. The park is crossed by several hiking trails. In addition, he is cut from the Trans - Canada Highway. Furthermore, comprises the Goldstream Provincial Park with Mount Finlayson a portion of the Gowlland Range. In the park is a protected area category II (National Park).

History

The park was established in 1956. However, several First Nations used the Goldstream River long before the fish, especially during the salmon runs. Mid-19th century they found gold there, what a short-lived gold rush triggered. The prospectors left the area usually after a short time to continue searching in other places.

Although most of the region left, but some remained in Victoria, so that the capital of the province grew rapidly. To ensure their water supply, was a water pipeline from the Goldstream River in the city. Responsible for the management of Greater Victoria Water Board handed over the territory in 1958 the province.

In 1994, the area of the highest mountain in the area around Victoria, of Mount Finlayson, the park has been slammed shut. 1996 were added to other areas, so that the park reached its present size.

On 16 April 2011, there was a tanker truck accident in which significant amounts of diesel fell into the river.

Flora and Fauna

Within the ecosystem of British Columbia, the park area of the Coastal Douglas - fir zone is assigned.

Moreover, there are still stocks in the park of 600 to 700 year old Douglas firs, giant trees of life, western hemlock and American maples, but also the American arbutus and the western balsam poplar and numerous flowering plants. Added to this is a rare species of oak, Oregon oak ( English oak Garry ). The forest also has an understory of sword ferns and heather plants. The spread in many parts of the province of Pacific Dogwood blossoms, the coat of arms plant of British Columbia, is also found here.

The eponymous Goldstream River has from late October to November strong salmon runs (primarily chum salmon and coho salmon ) and is home to a large population of bald eagles. Up to 25,000 salmon migrate from the Pacific over the Finlayson Arm in the park. Also, black bears, cougars ( Cougars ), otter, beaver and numerous rodent species live in the park. Also found in the park quite often different types of garter snakes.

Activities

The park is a popular destination for hikers and other outdoor athletes. He offers a variety of hiking options, from light to heavy hiking. For hikers is particularly popular of running within the Parks "Mount Finlayson Trail ", but the other trail find encouragement.

The park is maintained by the RLC Enterprize Goldstream Nature House, which events ( the so-called " Interpretive Programs" ) services. This event offers lectures and games to nearly bring the public the nature and exhibitions on the natural history of the park.

The park has 167, mostly reservable, pitches for caravans and tents and equipped with bathroom with shower.

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