The origins of the Lost Streams of New Westminster project are my geography classes at Douglas College and my interest in natural history. In my classes I have students visualize what New Westminster would have looked like prior to its settlement by Europeans. In doing walks through downtown New Westminster with students, our guide, local historian Archie Miller, would often point out where bridges were built and if one listened carefully, you might hear water running beneath buildings. Inspired by Vancouver’s Lost Streams and the Wild, Threatened, Endangered, and Lost Streams map produced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. I thought it would be interesting to engage students and the community in trying to locate and map the “lost” streams of New Westminster. Michael McPhee, project director
Welcome to the Lost Streams of New Westminster Project which is a collaboration between the Department of Geography and the Environment, Douglas College and the City of New Westminster. This website provides information on the history and location of lost streams. We welcome anyone with an interest to explore the pages that contain maps, photos and text. It is organized into geographical neighbourhoods and a brief timeline is also included. Your comments about the project are most welcome and we hope to be able to update information.
We would like to acknowledge the funding provided by the Douglas College Research and Innovation Office that enabled the research to be conducted and website to be developed. The City of New Westminster provided support and advice as well as valuable historical information through the City’s Museum and Archives and Public Library. Several members of the community have provided both written and oral information for which we are grateful. Colleagues and students in the Department of Geography and Environment provided ideas and support, in particular, Earl Noah, who contributed material for the City’s timeline, Rini Sumartojo for historical maps and Jennifer Graham for her editing skills.
