The Transformation of Pacific Way: An Environmental History of a Kamloops Neighborhood

The story of Pacific Way in Kamloops reveals the complex relationship between urban development and ecological preservation in British Columbia’s semi-arid interior. This suburban neighborhood, developed between 1990 and 1995, transformed what was once a carefully managed Indigenous landscape into a modern residential area. The environmental history of this transformation offers valuable insights into how human settlement has reshaped local ecosystems, and how new approaches might achieve better balance between development and conservation.

For thousands of years before European contact, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc people maintained the Pacific Way area as part of their traditional territory. Through controlled burns, seasonal migrations, and selective harvesting, they sustained an open grassland ecosystem dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), interspersed with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stands. These practices supported biodiversity and helped manage wildfire risk—principles now widely recognized in ecological science¹.

The Thompson River and nearby Peterson Creek were vital salmon habitats and cultural touchstones, providing food and spiritual significance for the Secwépemc peoples. Traditional knowledge systems linked ecological health with social responsibility, emphasizing sustainable interaction with the land².

Colonial Impacts and Ecological Change
Colonial settlement in the mid-19th century brought widespread disruption. As settlers arrived, they introduced grazing livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, which led to the compaction of soil and the spread of invasive grasses such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)³. These grasses quickly overtook native species, altered fire regimes, and degraded the resilience of the grassland ecosystem.

By the late 1800s, much of the landscape had been significantly altered. Logging removed mature ponderosa pine stands, and orchards, ranches, and wheat fields replaced indigenous vegetation. Early photographs from the Kamloops region, archived by Royal BC Museum and BC Archives, show this transition clearly: rolling hills once managed by fire gave way to fenced parcels and cultivated fields.

Suburban Development and Its Consequences
The final transformation came during the suburban expansion of Kamloops in the late 20th century. Pacific Way was developed as a residential area between 1990 and 1995, during which approximately 85% of remaining native vegetation in the immediate area was removed to make way for roads, homes, and conventional landscaping⁴.

This had a number of environmental consequences:

• Stormwater runoff increased by an estimated 40%, contributing to erosion and sedimentation in Peterson Creek, especially during spring melt and high rainfall periods.

• Mule deer populations declined sharply due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

• Western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) and other grassland birds disappeared from newly developed areas.

• Urban heat island effects were measured at 2.3°C higher than adjacent natural areas, a common issue in heavily modified environments.

• The widespread use of Kentucky bluegrass lawns increased water demand in an already dry region and replaced pollinator-friendly native plants.

Current Conditions and Restoration Efforts
Despite the damage, recent efforts reflect a growing ecological awareness. In 2018, stormwater retention ponds were installed in the lower reaches of Pacific Way to reduce erosion, filter runoff, and restore habitat. The City of Kamloops has also promoted xeriscaping—the use of drought-tolerant, native plants in landscaping—to reduce water use and reintroduce native species.

Individual homeowners have followed suit, replacing turf lawns with sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and yarrow, drawing pollinators back into the neighborhood. Community groups and educators have begun reconnecting residents to the land’s deeper history, including Tk’emlúps cultural narratives and land-use knowledge.

Conclusion
The environmental history of Pacific Way reveals both the depth of ecological loss and the potential for renewal. From its origins as a carefully stewarded Secwépemc grassland, to a landscape altered by livestock and logging, and finally to a modern suburb, this area illustrates the powerful and lasting impacts of human settlement. Yet it also demonstrates the ways communities can rethink development, restore biodiversity, and forge new relationships with the land.

As Kamloops continues to grow, lessons from Pacific Way suggest that a more sustainable future is possible—one that honors the past while working toward ecological and cultural resilience.

References

City of Kamloops. “Integrated Stormwater Management Plan.” https://www.kamloops.ca/sites/default/files/2022-01/09-04-06-integratedstormwatermanagementplan.pdf

FireSmart BC. “Introduction to Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire.” https://firesmartbc.ca/resource/introduction-to-cultural-burning-and-prescribed-fire/

Invasive Species Council of BC. “Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum).” https://bcinvasives.ca/invasives/cheatgrass/

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. “Our Story.” https://tkemlups.ca/our-story