RESTORE THE SHORE
CENTRAL ESTUARY RESTORATION PROJECT
Involves upgrading existing undersized inefficient culverts on the training berm with large fish friendly box culverts. Two of these box culverts were installed in 2020 and 2021 while a third culvert was replced in 2024. Analysis for the last culvert replacement was done in winter 2024/25 and construction is scheduled for March 10-May 31, 2025.
Modified 850m of the lower training berm to significantly reconnect the river and the lower central estuary. Work was mostly completed May 15 2023 with active sedge and grass planting continuing in 2024 and 2025.
Aims to install flow control devices under the rail spur line to Squamish Terminals to re-water historical channels. Preliminary engineering analysis begins fall 2023.
PHASE 1
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
Culvert #2 replacement. Training Berm Road closed March 10-May 31.
All the approvals through Provincial Dyking Authority and Water and Wildlife management acts have been attained and the replacement of Culvert #2 Near south end of the Woodpecker trail) is now scheduled March 10-May 31, 2025. The road will be closed to car at the Fisherman's entrance yellow gate with bike and pedestrian access allowed to the river. For safety reason, the woodpecker trail will be closed during the culvert replacement construction period.
This work is similar to the replacement of three other culvertsalong the training berm in 2019, 2020 and 2024 where undersized culverts we're replaced with large fish-friendly concrete box culverts.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
For more information about public access to Pepehím and windsports, please visit the District of Squamish website.
CERP At A Glance
The Restore the Shore project (aka Central Estuary Restoration Project) is a partnership between the Skwxkwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Squamish River Watershed Society (SWRS) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The project is generously funded by partners including the Coastal Restoration Fund, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Healthy Watersheds Initiative and the BC Hydro Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP).
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Restore The Shore
WHAT WE DO
Restoring the estuary for future generations
THE RESTORE THE SHORE PROJECT
Over 3,650 square kilometers of coastal rainforest drain into the Skwelwil'em Squamish estuary, which is created by the flow of the Squamish River into Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound. The Restore the Shore project is re-naturalizing over 144 hectares of this valuable estuarine habitat - equivalent to the size of over 200 soccer fields - for endangered Chinook salmon and the interconnected ecosystems that they support.
WHY ARE ESTUARIES IMPORTANT
The project aims to restore vitally important estuarine habitat for endangered Chinook salmon. Salmon stocks have plummeted from 100,000s to 10,000s as the estuary provides a safe haven and protective nursery for juvenile Chinook, along with the interconnected ecosystem including endangered Southern Resident orcas, eagles, bears, dolphins and birds. It is also an act of reconciliation for the Skwxkwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), the original stewards and knowledge-keepers of this land, and the wildlife that has thrived here in the past.
WHAT THIS RESTORATION PROJECT INVOLVES
The restoration measures for Restore the Shore build on 20 years of habitat restoration in the estuary, and are informed by the SRWS’s monitoring program to address the ongoing impacts of the training berm and rail spur line in the estuary. They were developed by the SRWS in consultation with project partners, the Skwxkwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.