Whittaker Slough Flood Box

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 project features a fish-friendly flap gate allowing a variety of fish species to access the channel behind the gate and spawn.  Prior to the upgrade, this channel was cut off from the river impeding fish access.

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 an 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.

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