Project Overview

Location: Qualicum Beach, BC	Project area: shoreline project
Year completed: 2017	Awards: Recognized as the 1st project of the Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Master Plan
Shoreline length: 22 m	Shore type: Sediment with cobble and boulder substrate
Green Shores rating achieved: Chinook (Level 1)	Total points: 35

Site Description

The property lies within the Parksville-Qualicum Wildlife Management Area – a designated conservation area for estuarine and foreshore habitat used by waterfowl and fish. 

The shoreline has a significant intertidal zone and a flat seabed that extends out to the Strait of Georgia. Eelgrass beds lie below the present natural boundary. The low bank beach is gently sloped with cobble to boulder-sized material and is subject to dynamic erosion from both high tide and storm events. Erosion is also impacted by the large wave fetch distance off the Strait of Georgia, and from the consistent prevailing winds.

Project Team and Affiliated Organizations

• Design Build General Contractor: Parksville Heavy Equipment
• Geotechnical Engineer: Lewkowich Engineering Associates Ltd.
• Environmental Management Plan: D.R. Clough Consulting R.P.Bio
• Native Plant Supplier: Streamside Native Plants

 

Project Objectives

1. Repair and stabilize the foreshore susceptible to erosion
2. Provide beach nourishment, revegetation and habitat protection

Work Plan

The upper shore that was being undercut from erosion, was regraded to a more natural slope of 2 m (horizontal) to 1 m (vertical). Along the present natural boundary, a trench with a minimum of 1 m depth was created, and a layer of geotextile was installed to provide a barrier to the migration of fines during wave and tidal action. Large boulders were placed into the trench and buried to create an armouring revetment. This was followed by infilling with smaller cobble sized rock similar in nature to the natural material of the area to create plantable sites.

Description of how the project meets Green Shores principles

> Maintained/ Enhanced Habitat Function and Diversity

• Between 50% and 74% of the riparian buffer was planted with native vegetation. Other materials included exposed boulders, beach rock and woody material.
• An existing Douglas-fir tree was retained to provide overhanging vegetation benefits.
• Native species of vegetation were planted including Nootka Rose, Dune grass, Kinnikinnick, Yarrow and Ocean Spray.
• The beach access created through the removal of non-native grass and the use of a meandering gravel walkway helped to protect shoreline habitat.

> Preserved/Restored Shoreline Physical Processes

• Soft shore measures were applied over 95% of the shoreline and a plan for monitoring was put into place.
• Large woody material was retained, and new stumps and logs were placed higher on the slope to protect the shore through dissipation of wave energy.  Microsites for vegetation re-establishment were also created.

> Ecological Services Provided

• Shoreline stabilization and erosion control.
• Habitat creation and increased infiltration from planted native vegetation.

> Shoreline Collaboration/Public Education

Collaboration with the Town of Qualicum Beach via the beach access to the West, and with the Regional District of Nanaimo via the sewer Right of Way to the North was done through the addition of cobble materials to protect a greater length of shoreline to either side of this property. Public education efforts included signage and distribution of information within the neighbourhood.