Central Estuary Restoration Project update: Planned road closure extended through September 30

Updated September 18, 2020:

The Squamish River Watershed Society has provided an update on the Central Estuary Restoration Project:

The planned road closure has been extended until Wednesday, September 30 to allow for safety during the backfilling of the road, compaction, and removal of cofferdams.

For project information and updates please visit https://www.squamishwatershed.com/training-berm-upgrade-updates . 

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A culvert mid-way down the Squamish Training Berm (Culvert #4) will be replaced with a larger fish-friendly opening. The location of this work, as shown in the map below, will be mid-way down the Berm, just downstream of where the work was undertaken in 2019.

The project timeline has been planned to coincide with a summer low tide period. 

Scope of Work:

• Vegetation alongside the culvert will be removed in order to clear the site.
• Removal of the existing steel pipe culvert and build the new 3-metre x 3-metre concrete box culvert will follow.

Impacts:

• • Single-lane access to the Spit will begin the week of August 10 and will be in effect until August 31
  • A full closure will begin the week of September 1, and will be in effect until September 24 

The Squamish Estuary has undergone significant impacts over the years. This project aims to improve the natural integrity of the Estuary and its ecological diversification and function. It is also an important step to provide access to the Estuary for juvenile salmonids, especially Chinook salmon, that are leaving the Squamish River and need to enter into the Estuary as part of their growth before they head out into Howe Sound.

The Squamish River Watershed Society is working in partnership with Squamish Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and with the support of the District of Squamish, the Provincial government, Squamish Terminals, the Squamish Windsports Society, the Squamish Streamkeepers, the Squamish Environment Society, the Squamish Trails Society, and community and user groups.

For more information on the project please visit https://www.squamishwatershed.com/training-berm-upgrade-updates . 

September 18, 2020