Featured Project
Hatzic Emergency Works Program – Lagace Creek
Location
Hatzic – Mission, BC
Key Services
- Creek realignment.
- Habitat restoration and protection.
- Climate resiliency.
- Riparian and Littoral zone habitat rehabilitation and development.
Description
As atmospheric river events increase in frequency and intensity across British Columbia, their influence on local watersheds, infrastructure, and ecosystems has become a pressing concern. These events are no stranger to the Fraser Valley, along Lagace Creek in Hatzic, BC, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy initiated a project to reduce the risk of avulsion and flooding from these events.
In 2024, Milestone Delta Aggregates Joint Venture, carried out creek realignment, bedload removal, extensive invasive knotweed removal and riprap installation to restore bank stability.
Key Challenges
- Persistent rainfall throughout the construction period hindered progress.
- Just after completion of the first phase of work, a major atmospheric river flood on October 19–20, 2024, caused extensive washouts that nullified much of the restoration work.
- Large-scale fish salvage operation impacted timelines.
Key Solutions
- In response, the team postponed repairs until 2025 to reassess the creek’s resiliency features, focusing on improved riffle configuration, bioengineering techniques, and adaptive channel implementation.