project
summaries
Project Title
Squamish River Estuary Tidal Channels and Marsh Restoration, Squamish East Delta Estuary Restoration and Central Channel Estuary Restoration
Project Type
Fish Habitat (estuarine), Stream and Estuary Restoration
Proponent
Squamish River Watershed Society
BCRP Project Number
03.CH.03, 04.CH.02 and 05.CH.02
Species Addressed
Estimated production from the tidal channel construction is over 36,000 / annum Coho fry. An unestimated population of herring has been noted and Chinook salmon will also be utilizing these important water ways, salmonid smolts. There is evidence of otter activity as the southern end of the first phase channel throughout the project, over twenty species of birds were seen using this site.
Region
Lower Mainland
Squamish Estuary Map

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project Summaries

 

executive summary

For project 03.CH.03 the years work included the final removal of all the remaining dredge material, the final grading of the estuary and the reconnection of two side channels at the dredge spoil site. A new channel was constructed in the South Loop Trail area reconnecting isolated tidal channels and allowing fish access and passage.

For project 04.CH.02 the years work included the reconnecting isolated and non-functioning channels in the east delta at two locations, deepening the channels at the mouth into the tidal channels that were constructed in previous years, cleaning out three of the river side channels from woody debris and silt build up from recent flood events, and planting native vegetation on the disturbed soils at the new channel construction sites and in the dredge spoil area.

For Project 04.CH.02 the years work included improving Cheakamus River Chinook fry and smolt access to and use of the warm, nutrient rich water of the Squamish river estuary. The development of estuary habitat, rearing side channels would be restored lower down in the watershed at the estuary. Added value benefits include the information signs placed in estuary for the public. A brochure developed by the Squamish Environmental Conservation Society detailing trails, ecological and historic values.


before the project

 Before the Project

 

after the project

 After the Project

 

Triple Bottom Line Impacts
environmental
economic
social

environmental

Overall, an estimated increase in habitat has included: 570 m, 3900 m2 of tidal channel; 85 m, 110 m2 in shallow tidal feeder channels planting of 750 native species, 110 m2 of remaining estuarine habitat in the dredge spoil area returned to proper grade.
Channel Construction: 930 linear metres of new channel,Channel Utilization: 3,000 m channels now open to tidal inflows, Habitat Restoration: 4,500 m2 rehabilitated estuary (planted with sedges (Carex lyngbyei), rush (Juncus effuses), and sitka spruce Vegetation Study: Raincoast Applied Ecology on “Effeects of Fish Habitat Restoration Activities on Plant Communities in the Squamish River Estuary”

economic

For project 03.CH.03 total funding $68,305.57 For project 04.CH.02 total funding $78,320.00 For project 05.CH.02 total funding $77,630.00

social

Worked very closely with the Squamish First Nation and the District of Squamish

PARTNERS: Bridge Coastal Restoration Program, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, District of Squamish, Squamish Nation, BC Rail, Squamish Estuary Conservation Society, Squamish Trails Society, BC Parks (chair of the SEMC), SEMC Squamish Valley Rod and Gun Club, Squamish StreamKeepers, and John Hunter Company Limited.