Squamish residents now have stronger protection against high water on the Squamish River after the completion of a multi-year diking project backed by all three levels of government.
According to the news release from BC Gov, the Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough diking project has raised and widened approximately 900 metres of the Squamish River dike, and included construction of a new culvert, stone rip-rap erosion protection, a new vehicle turnout and an upgraded access ramp.
Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, visited the site on Thursday, July 30, 2026. “Investments in disaster mitigation are essential as communities face the realities of a changing climate,” Greene said. “These upgrades protect a significant portion of Squamish and address one of the community’s most pressing needs. I’m grateful for the collaboration between the Province, the federal government and District of Squamish that made this important project possible.”
The project was funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Province contributed more than $1.8 million through the Green Infrastructure stream and more than $360,000 from the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream (CVRIS). The federal government contributed more than $2.1 million from the Green Infrastructure stream and more than $1.5 million from CVRIS. The District of Squamish contributed more than $1.4 million.
Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country, said communities throughout the Sea to Sky are already experiencing more frequent and severe flooding. “Projects like the Upper Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough dike upgrades are about protecting people, homes, businesses and critical infrastructure from those risks,” he said. “By strengthening nearly a kilometre of dike along the Squamish River, this project improves public safety, enhances climate resilience, and helps ensure Squamish can continue to grow and thrive for decades to come.”
Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford said the upgrades are critical to improving flood protection in Brackendale, Garibaldi Estates and on Squamish Nation land. “We are grateful to the provincial and federal governments for the grant funding,” Hurford said. “First identified in 2017 and begun in 2019, this work shows the long-term planning needed to strengthen protections, reduce flood risk and safeguard residents as our community faces a changing climate, supported by collaboration across all levels of government.”
According to the news release, the Province has provided nearly $590 million since 2017 for more than 3,000 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects across B.C., including more than $650,000 toward 17 Squamish projects through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund and more than $380,000 for three Squamish projects under the National Disaster Mitigation Program.
