District of Squamish is receiving $750,000 from the provincial government for the Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) slough culvert replacement project.
The district had applied for the grant in December last year.
The project involves removal of two 900 mm culverts buried 7 metres deep in the dike and replacing them with a 2400 mm x 900 mm box culvert complete with two flood gates to regulate the flow of water and prevent flooding.
The parts of the project is still to be finalized with input from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Squamish Nation.
The gates may be opened late summer to flush organic sediment and debris from the slough and enhance the spawning habitat.
The gates will be automated but will require inspection and manual operation twice annually during opening and closing.
Through the District’s Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan, Squamish Nation identified re-watering Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough as a priority to restore the valuable salmon spawning habitat.
When the dike was first built, a pair of 900 mm culverts were installed through the dike to maintain flows to the slough.
In the early 1980s, in response to flooding, the culvert was closed off but was left buried within the dike.
Don Patrick says
So we are talking mm, not cm … but would not feet give people a better idea relative to size ? but with respect to the reason, notice that money was spent on a similar project to the system that drains the slough that services the waterway around the railway Park … has anyone reviewed the results ? .. the water appears to be at the same level and sick colour as prior to installing the flow devices under the dyke and definitely no sightings of fish … like does anyone have the back bone to criticize the fisheries as they protect their pensions from a desk or is it easier to go with the flow? … I have lived here a long time and other than the Estuary being cleaned up and some small creeks by concerned citizens, I see no improvements with respect to increase Fish stocks….am I incorrect ?