Central Estuary Restoration Project – Upgrade to Culvert #2
Squamish Training Berm / Spit Road
In March of this year the Squamish River Watershed Society began work on upgrading Culvert #2 to improve fish passage between the Squamish River and estuary for outmigrating juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) as part of the Central Estuary Restoration Project (CERP). This work was developed in 2018 as part of a three-phase approach to improve Chinook salmon habitat accessibility and habitat throughout the estuary in partnership with Squamish Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (check out www.restoretheshore.ca for additional information on CERP).
The work on Culvert #2 was the fourth and final culvert upgrade along the Training Berm. The other culvert upgrades respectively took place: spring 2019 (Culvert #3), late summer 2020 (Culvert #4), fall 2024 (Culvert #1), and most recently spring 2025 for Culvert #2. Funding for these culvert upgrades was secured from multiple sources including Federal Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Coastal Restoration Fund / Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery Fund, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Fund, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Pacific Salmon Commission, Nature Trust of BC, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Squamish Nation, and Sitka Foundation. All permits and approvals for each of the respective culvert upgrades were secured in advance of the work being undertaken. The location of all four culverts was within the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area which is managed by the Province of BC and Squamish Nation, and along the Squamish Training Berm, which is maintained by the District of Squamish.
The construction of the Culvert #2 upgrade was completed in May 2025. However, less than a month later the discovery of emergent Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) was found throughout the site.The source of the knotweed remains unknown, but it must have been buried under the brush and vegetation that had been cleared in preparation of the culvert upgrade. Regardless of the source of the knotweed the decision was collectively made with the respective parties of the Provincial government, District of Squamish, Squamish Nation, and DFO to remove the material before it could take root and become established on the site. The result was the need to remove all the top layer of material that had been spread over the site and dispose of it in a manner consistent to the provincial Best Management Practices (BMPs). In consultation with experts from the province, municipality, and the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council, the decision was made to bury the material along the Training Berm at a depth of 2 metres under an impermeable liner. To this effect the site was once more closed to the public from July 2 nd until July 23 rd . The approximate 500 cubic metres of contaminated material was successfully buried deep, and the Training Berm was restored to the original grade and opened back up to the public.
The site will be monitored in the coming months and years to ensure no residual knotweed remains. As well, the shoulder where the contaminated material had originally been stockpiled has been cordoned off to prevent the public from parking or potentially disturbing the area. At this time access to the Woodpecker Trail has been re-established and plans are in place to revegetate the riparian area with native trees and shrubs in the fall to restore the area back into a healthy and productive ecosystem. We thank all our project partners, funders, and the community for the support and patience during the restoration upgrades of the culvert along with the additional work to remove the knotweed from the site. We look forward to continuing our efforts to improve fish habitat, tidal connectivity, and overall improvements to restore the Squamish estuary!
Squamish Training Berm / Spit Road
In March of this year the Squamish River Watershed Society began work on upgrading Culvert #2 to improve fish passage between the Squamish River and estuary for outmigrating juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) as part of the Central Estuary Restoration Project (CERP). This work was developed in 2018 as part of a three-phase approach to improve Chinook salmon habitat accessibility and habitat throughout the estuary in partnership with Squamish Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (check out www.restoretheshore.ca for additional information on CERP).
The work on Culvert #2 was the fourth and final culvert upgrade along the Training Berm. The other culvert upgrades respectively took place: spring 2019 (Culvert #3), late summer 2020 (Culvert #4), fall 2024 (Culvert #1), and most recently spring 2025 for Culvert #2. Funding for these culvert upgrades was secured from multiple sources including Federal Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Coastal Restoration Fund / Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery Fund, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Fund, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Pacific Salmon Commission, Nature Trust of BC, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Squamish Nation, and Sitka Foundation. All permits and approvals for each of the respective culvert upgrades were secured in advance of the work being undertaken. The location of all four culverts was within the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area which is managed by the Province of BC and Squamish Nation, and along the Squamish Training Berm, which is maintained by the District of Squamish.
The construction of the Culvert #2 upgrade was completed in May 2025. However, less than a month later the discovery of emergent Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) was found throughout the site.The source of the knotweed remains unknown, but it must have been buried under the brush and vegetation that had been cleared in preparation of the culvert upgrade. Regardless of the source of the knotweed the decision was collectively made with the respective parties of the Provincial government, District of Squamish, Squamish Nation, and DFO to remove the material before it could take root and become established on the site. The result was the need to remove all the top layer of material that had been spread over the site and dispose of it in a manner consistent to the provincial Best Management Practices (BMPs). In consultation with experts from the province, municipality, and the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council, the decision was made to bury the material along the Training Berm at a depth of 2 metres under an impermeable liner. To this effect the site was once more closed to the public from July 2 nd until July 23 rd . The approximate 500 cubic metres of contaminated material was successfully buried deep, and the Training Berm was restored to the original grade and opened back up to the public.
The site will be monitored in the coming months and years to ensure no residual knotweed remains. As well, the shoulder where the contaminated material had originally been stockpiled has been cordoned off to prevent the public from parking or potentially disturbing the area. At this time access to the Woodpecker Trail has been re-established and plans are in place to revegetate the riparian area with native trees and shrubs in the fall to restore the area back into a healthy and productive ecosystem. We thank all our project partners, funders, and the community for the support and patience during the restoration upgrades of the culvert along with the additional work to remove the knotweed from the site. We look forward to continuing our efforts to improve fish habitat, tidal connectivity, and overall improvements to restore the Squamish estuary!
