Fish-friendly Whittaker Slough flood box is a win/win for Squamish

The upgraded Whittaker Slough flood box is the latest project to update aging flood protection infrastructure in the District of Squamish. The flood box’s fish-friendly technology has also created important fish rearing habitat in the channel behind, resulting in a double win from the project. The project was funded by the Building Canada Fund - Communities Component and Emergency Management BC (EMBC) Flood Protection Program.

“The people of Squamish have time and again expressed to me their twin priorities of flood mitigation and fish habitat promotion," said John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country. "By investing in local infrastructure, the Harper Government is responding to the needs of our community while helping to create jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity."

“Thank you to the Federal and Provincial Governments for their support of this important flood protection upgrade and it’s wonderful that we’re receiving double the benefits from this project,” said District of Squamish Mayor Rob Kirkham. “It’s encouraging to see the restoration of important fish, and in particular salmon habitat that has declined over the years due to pressure on the Squamish River watershed. We have a responsibility to work towards protection and enhancement at every possible opportunity.”

The project, located near the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, involves the installation of a pipe through the dike and the replacement of a leaking flood box. Prior to the upgrade the flood box included a conventional “flap gate” that was normally closed, providing impediment to fish passage from the river to the channel behind. The self-regulating technology utilizes inflated buoys enabling the gate to open and close in response to water levels, allowing fish to pass through. The gate will close automatically when critical high water levels are reached either during high tides or storm water surges.

“The District of Squamish has made significant improvements by choosing a self-regulated flap gate to replace the aging top-mounted version at the outlet of Whittaker Slough,” said biologist Mike Nelson, principal with Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd. “The new flap gate, while perhaps less glamorous than a new spawning channel, will allow fish to access areas behind the dike that had been previously cut off. The use of this new technology will expand the range of rearing coho in particular, into this backchannel habitat.”

The District received $442,200 in grant funding for flood management upgrade projects through the Building Canada Fund - Communities Component and (EMBC) Flood Protection Program. The Stawamus River Rip Rap Upgrade, the Harris Slough Pump Station Upgrade, and the installation of a water level monitoring station at the Cheakamus River Bridge project components are now complete. The Whittaker Slough Flood Box Replacement project, and the Brackendale and North Yards Dike upgrade projects are complete with final road capping to be laid once weather improves and current site conditions dry out.

“Flood prevention is an important responsibility that is shared by all levels of government in communities across B.C.,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. “Our funding partnership with the District of Squamish goes beyond improving protection for our citizens, property and critical infrastructure by incorporating fish friendly design to better protect the environment.”

Flood management infrastructure upgrades remain a high priority within the District’s work plans. “Completion of these projects is a significant step in the right direction towards improving the safety of the community in the event of a major flood event,” continued the Mayor. “While there is much more work to be done, significant funding means are required. We hope to be able to count on continued funding contributions to assist the District in making it happen.”

With the project construction phase of this project complete, the District looks forward to working collaboratively with the community on continued salmon habitat restoration and stewardship efforts in this area.

Photos of the Whittaker Slough Project are available at squamish.ca/floodmanagement

March 1, 2013