The District of Squamish crews have started work on the Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough Culvert Replacement Project. The project aims to replace two decommissioned culverts within the Squamish River Dike to further protect the surrounding community from potential flood threats.
Work is expected to be complete by May 2022. This flood infrastructure upgrade project was identified as a key recommendation in the District’s 2017 Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan. The District of Squamish received a total of $1.8 million in funding for the project, including $1.4 million from the Government of Canada, through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream.
Once complete, the project will address a noted vulnerability in the dike system while also re-introducing water into Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough, a former channel of the Squamish River, helping to improve fish habitat, a shared goal with the Squamish Nation.
“Replacing the decommissioned culverts within the Squamish River Dike will contribute to a safe environment for all residents in the area,” said Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
Mayor Karen Elliott said the project represents the ongoing work in the community to strengthen the flood protection infrastructure in Squamish. “We wish to thank the federal and provincial governments for these funds and we will continue to seek opportunities to partner with other levels of government to address the priorities in our Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan.”
