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Lawson Creek Restoration Project

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Musqueam Nation. We recognize and respect them as nations in this territory, as well as their historic connection to the lands and waters around us since time immemorial.

Cancelled – Lawson Creek Restoration

Low water levels in Lawson Creek - August 2021Update: September 27

The West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society have informed the District that, due to technical difficulties with the feasibility of the design concept, Streamkeepers will not be proceeding with the Lawson Creek Restoration Project.

Further technical analysis determined that key issues with the design would not achieve the goal of supporting fish habitat. These issues involved the need to maintain sufficient creek flow, the prospect of creek stagnation, and elevated creek temperatures, all of which could be lethal to fish. West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society decided to cancel this project because the challenges are not realistically remedied and would put fish and other aquatic species at risk.

District staff will not be doing any further work on the Lawson Creek restoration project but will continue work on the Navvy Jack House Restoration Project.

The District appreciates the significant work and contributions by West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society on this project and looks forward to collaborating with Streamkeepers on other environmental stewardship and creek restoration projects in the future.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this engagement.

West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society Media Release

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Musqueam Nation. We recognize and respect them as nations in this territory, as well as their historic connection to the lands and waters around us since time immemorial.

Cancelled – Lawson Creek Restoration

Low water levels in Lawson Creek - August 2021Update: September 27

The West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society have informed the District that, due to technical difficulties with the feasibility of the design concept, Streamkeepers will not be proceeding with the Lawson Creek Restoration Project.

Further technical analysis determined that key issues with the design would not achieve the goal of supporting fish habitat. These issues involved the need to maintain sufficient creek flow, the prospect of creek stagnation, and elevated creek temperatures, all of which could be lethal to fish. West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society decided to cancel this project because the challenges are not realistically remedied and would put fish and other aquatic species at risk.

District staff will not be doing any further work on the Lawson Creek restoration project but will continue work on the Navvy Jack House Restoration Project.

The District appreciates the significant work and contributions by West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society on this project and looks forward to collaborating with Streamkeepers on other environmental stewardship and creek restoration projects in the future.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this engagement.

West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society Media Release

  • Background

    About the Lawson Creek Restoration Project

    The West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society is proposing to enhance lower Lawson Creek at the site of Navvy Jack House, to improve fish habitat.

    The project will provide park improvements that are aligned with environmental policy objectives provided in the District’s Official Community Plan.

    The project will improve connectivity and natural processes in Lawson Creek, an important stream habitat for salmon, invertebrates, birds and other fish species. The project will also benefit the Burrard Inlet ecosystem, First Nations’ fisheries, and increase the resiliency of the estuary to climate change impacts, including sea-level rise.

    Staff will work together with West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society as per the Council resolution from the March 8, 2021, Council Meeting.

    Changes that will improve fish habitat

    The upgrades at Lawson Creek will address the open box culvert structure that currently creates challenges for salmon migration.

    The new creek design will redirect creek flows from the existing Lawson Creek concrete flume (the narrow human-made concrete channel) into a new spawning and rearing channel.

    It is envisioned that the new spawning and rearing area will be home to a public viewing area where visitors and residents can get a close-up look at salmon and other creek habitat.

    The area will also be enhanced with new native plants, in-stream gravel, and woody debris complexes. These enhancements will also provide unique spaces for public education opportunities and community engagement.


    Funding the restoration

    This creek restoration project will be funded by the West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society (WVSS).

    The WVSS is funding conceptual and detailed design drawings and providing a detailed cost estimate for the project. Staff will continue discussions with WVSS to determine the full costs of the project including potential costs related to any necessary park improvements to tie the project into the existing park, archeological due diligence, and First Nations consultation.


    Project timeline

    The West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society is funding the creek portion of the project and must begin the application process for grant funding.

    There is also a regional timing window for Lawson Creek specified by the Ministry of Environment. Timing windows are times of the year when work may be carried out with the lowest risk to fish and wildlife species and habitats. The best time for work to be done at Lawson Creek is July 15 to September 15.

    Update: September 14, 2021 - The West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society and the District have decided to postpone the public engagement for the Lawson Creek Restoration Project until further notice in order to obtain additional technical information with respect to the feasibility of the creek restoration project. Further information will be provided once the technical information has been obtained.

Page last updated: 14 Mar 2022, 02:56 PM