District of Squamish council voted unanimously to become the diking authority for a downtown dike in accordance with provincial policy. At a council meeting yesterday, council voted unanimously to become the diking authority for the maintenance of the proposed Xwu’nekw Park Sea Dike.
The park is located on the Mamquam Blind Channel and Loggers Lane between Victoria and Main Streets, and district plans to upgrade the shoreline to provide flood protection for Downtown Squamish.
In Squamish language, the name ‘Xwu’nekw’ (pronounced Whoo-Nay-Oak) means ‘where large canoes are beached’ and is a reference to the lands and waters on the west side of the Mamquam Blind Channel where the Squamish Nation historically beached large ocean-going canoes.
Given the site’s location on the Mamquam Blind Channel bordering downtown Squamish, the District’s flood management plan recommends upgrades to the sea dike in the form of a sheet pile dike for flood protection and future sea level rises.
The Inspector of Dikes has a policy that they will not provide approvals under the Dike Maintenance Act unless they have a Council resolution indicating the local government agrees to become the Local Diking Authority responsible for completing ongoing maintenance.
District staff now aims to complete in-water works during the Fisheries Window of August 15, 2022 to January 31, 2023.
Last year, The District submitted an application with the Minister of Transportation for the following work:
Installation of a 200m long sheet pile sea dike following along the high water mark.
Installation of a new gangway and dock to provide public access to the water.
Installation of rip-rap berm as an environmental enhancement measure along the base of the sheet pile wall.
