Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Squamish River Watershed Society. 2008. Squamish Estuary / Mamquam Blind Channel Restorations, 2007/2008 Final Report. Prepared for BC Hydro. |
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| Organization | Squamish River Watershed Society |
| URL | https://www.bchydro.com/bcrp/projects/docs/bridge_river/07.CMS.01.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | This years funding was directed at completing the works initiated last year in Site ‘A’ with the installation of a culvert across the WestBarr Log Sort Road opening the tidal slough between the Central Estuary and the Spur Line. The final riparian vegetation planting was the extension included in the year’s works. A second stage of this years project works included adding additional culverts into the Squamish Training Dyke. Three 48” steel pipes were installed within the Windsurfing Spit section of the Training Dyke allowing river water to exchange with the Central Estuary. The final component of this year’s work was to revitalize the Britannia Slough which has been isolated by Highway 99 and urban development within Dentville. Britannia Slough provides a year round tidally influenced flow of low oxygenated, poor quality water into the Mamquam Blind Channel. A trail network constructed in partnership with the District of Squamish and the Squamish Trails Society in the late 1990’s (the Discovery Trail) traverses this site and through neglect and poor habitat conditions the riparian vegetation and understory have become severely impacted. The intent of this project was to improve water quality, fisheries and wildlife habitat and to provide a productive natural environment to enhance the Discovery Trail network. Peter Kiewit and Sons installed a 6’ concrete box culvert at the northern end of the Britannia Slough in November of 2006 allowing river flows from the Mamquam River to enter once again into this system. A second concrete box culvert is proposed to be installed in late summer of 2008 to complete the circuit, reconnecting the lower end of Britannia Slough with the tidal waters of the Mamquam Blind Channel. In order to maximize on habitat and habitat values it was necessary to improve the Britannia Tidal Slough by deepening it by approximately one metre and installing woody debris (refuge habitat for salmon fry and other fish species) as well as planting native vegetation within the riparian zone to provide shelter, shading, and a food source for wildlife. A further benefit is the improvements to the walking trail (which has become fairly dismal) by sprucing up the surroundings with native vegetation. This area is adjacent to the Squamish Elementary and Howe Sound Secondary Schools as well as Capilano College. Educational outreach programs are already in place to engage students in educational opportunities to learn more about the natural environments adjacent to their learning centres. The Britannia Slough is an important waterway for numerous fish species including coho, chum, and pink salmon, cutthroat trout, herring, Dolly Varden and steelhead as well as numerous non sports fisheries species (sculpins, stickleback, lamprey, etc). The wildlife values include improving habitat for deer, otter, mink, bear and numerous other mammals. The usage of this area by avian populations has been long studied during the monthly bird counts by the Squamish Environmental Conservation Society and this area provides an important corridor for resident and migratory birds. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Howe Sound & Sunshine Coast |
| Sub-watershed if known | Squamish River, Mamquam River |
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| Project status | complete |
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