Cultus Lake Park construction has been completed!
For nearly 20 years, the Stewardship Centre for BC’s Green Shores program has restored marine shorelines across British Columbia. Now, for the first time, the team has expanded its nature-based approach for Shoreline Development to a freshwater lake ecosystem. This pioneering effort took place at Cultus Lake Park, a popular park located in the Fraser Valley. Cultus Lake is part of the traditional territory of the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe within S’ólh Téméxw (the Stó:lō Territory) and is comprised of seven Stó:lō communities of Ăthelets (Aitchelitz), Sq’ewqéyl (Skowkale), Shxwhá:y, Th’ewá:li (Soowahlie), Sxwoyehálá (Squiala), Ch’íyáqtel (Tzeachten) and Yeqwyeqwí:ws (Yakweakwioose). The park draws visitors for recreation and is home to valuable aquatic species, including the unique and endangered Cultus Lake Sockeye Salmon, making it an ideal site for this transformative project.
In partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Province of BC, the Cultus Lake Park Board, and the Cultus Lake Stewardship Society, an incredible construction effort was undertaken and successfully completed in October 2024. This project was funded by the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund.
Construction Process
In total, 45 m of the shoreline was restored using a hybrid nature-based shoreline design.
- 150 native mussels were salvaged (Western Floater, Oregon Floater, and Winger Floater) and relocated out of the construction area.
- Completed fish salvage to exclude fish from the site during construction using a seine net and electrofishing.
- About 6 sculpins were relocated and 2 invasive species were removed.
- Site was prepped for construction with a silt fence installed to protect the rest of the lake from any sedimentation during construction.
- Two detached headlands were installed:
- Designed a low-maintenance beach that can enhance habitat value and provide some recreational opportunities.
- Detached headlands function by focusing wave energy on the headlands and distributing less energy to the shorelines in between.
- Beach Nourishment
- The shoreline was extended out to add a mixed sand/gravel beach for recreational use and habitat value.
- Two access paths were created to allow for users to swim and recreate.
- Riparian restoration
- Over 700 native plants were planted with the help of project team and volunteers.
- A series of log benches and permeable & accessible gravel pathways were established for public use and viewing
Sustainable Design for the Future
The project’s hybrid design, developed by experts and a technical advisory committee, integrates both soft and hard elements to meet environmental challenges. The main objectives were to:
- Protect riparian habitat to benefit species like juvenile salmon.
- Reduce pollutants by capturing and treating stormwater runoff.
- Stabilize the shoreline to prevent erosion.
- Enhance biodiversity with native plants that improve habitat quality.
- Improve accessibility with a gently sloped access ramp.
- Promote climate resilience, adding tree shading and drought-tolerant plants.
- Raise public awareness through on-site educational signage.
The Cultus Lake Park shoreline before (top) and after (bottom) the implementation of the Green Shores nature-based restoration. Photos were taken two months apart by Andrea McDonald in 2024.
The restored shoreline now features several exciting improvements, including:
- A new public access area for watercraft like kayaks and paddleboards.
- A trail system through the green space, inviting exploration.
- Native vegetation that provides shade, supports wildlife, and filters pollutants.
- Sediment management that provides dynamically stable pocket beaches and habitat for fish, mussels, invertebrates, and more.
What’s Next?
With the project complete, the next steps involve installing educational signage throughout the park to inform visitors about local biodiversity and the nature-based design principles used in the restoration. This project serves as an inspiring example of how nature-based solutions can protect ecosystems while providing recreational and educational benefits. The site will be assessed under the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Credits and Ratings system and has been designed with hopes of achieving the highest certification rating, making it Canada’s first lakefront project under this program to be completed.
Visit Cultus Lake Park to see the revitalized shoreline and enjoy its beauty and biodiversity!
