Each autumn, a remarkable natural event unfolds in the Bowmanville and Soper Creek Valleys — the annual salmon run. Visitors walking the trails may notice flashes of silver and red in the water as salmon make their incredible journey home, completing a cycle that has continued for generations.
Our new infographic, “In Our Creeks,” highlights this extraordinary life story and how it connects directly to the health of our local waterways and ecosystems.
A Journey of Survival and Renewal
Salmon begin life right here — in the gravel beds of Bowmanville’s creeks. In late fall, spawning salmon return from Lake Ontario to the same streams where they were born. They dig shallow nests, called redds, and lay their eggs in the cool, oxygen-rich water. After spawning, the adult salmon die, leaving vital nutrients behind that help feed the ecosystem.
During the winter, eggs incubate safely in the streambed, waiting for the warmth of spring. As the water temperatures rise, tiny fry hatch and begin to feed in the shallow creeks before gradually developing into smolts.
By early summer, the young salmon migrate to Lake Ontario, where they will spend the next two to three years maturing into adults. When the time comes, they instinctively return to the same creeks to spawn — restarting the cycle once again.
Why It Matters to the Valleys
The salmon’s return each year is more than just a natural wonder — it’s a symbol of a healthy watershed and a thriving community. Clean, cool water, healthy riparian vegetation, and unobstructed stream flow all play essential roles in supporting this cycle.
Valleys 2000 works to preserve and enhance these conditions by protecting the Bowmanville and Soper Creek Valleys, maintaining trails, and promoting environmental awareness through education and community involvement.
See It for Yourself
Every fall, the creeks come alive with this annual migration — one of nature’s most impressive sights right in the heart of Bowmanville. Bring your family, walk the trails, and witness firsthand the miracle in the making that happens In Our Creeks.