Cultus Lake Park GSSD Project is nearly complete!
Construction at the Green Shores Demonstration Project at Cultus Lake Park began in September 2024 and was completed in October 2024. Roughly 50 metres of shoreline was enhanced using a hybrid nature-based design guided by the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Credits and Ratings Guide.
Cultus Lake Park before and after restoration with Green Shores. Photo credits: Arsenault Environmental Consulting, September 2023 (Top), Vector Geomatics Land Surveying Ltd. October 2024 (Bottom).
The project team started the enhancement by safely relocating any aquatic species that might be impacted by shoreline works, including 178 mussels (Western Floater, Oregon Floater, and Winger Floater) and seven sculpins. The team also removed any invasive plants, invertebrates and fish found in the lake and on land.
Left – Native floater mussel captured, measured, and relocated prior to shoreline works. Right –Seine net survey completed to exclude fish from the site during construction. Photo credit: Andrea McDonald, Green Shores Project Manager at the Stewardship Centre for BC.
Construction activities included installation of two detached headlands on the foreshore of the beach. These headlands are a part of the hybrid nature-based approach. Their function is to absorb the impact of incoming waves from wind activity by focusing wave energy on the headlands and distributing less energy to the shoreline. This design also creates a low-maintenance beach that can enhance habitat value and provide recreational value.
The shoreline was extended out by adding sediment (a mix of sand gravel) to the beach for better access and recreational use as well as habitat value. The expected result is a relatively stable pocket beach that allows for the natural movement of sediment along the longshore and improved shoreline resiliency to climate change. The beach has been then planted with water-tolerant native vegetation and large woody debris to enhance habitat for wildlife. Two access ramps were created to streamline foot traffic and allow users to access the beach for swimming, recreation, and launching personal watercrafts.
Cultus Lake Park shoreline after restoration – notice beach nourishment and shoreline habitat enhancement with detached headlands. Photo credit: Andrea McDonald, Green Shores Project Manager at the Stewardship Centre for BC.
The upland area was enhanced by creating a series of native garden beds that now host over 700 new native plants that will improve habitat, biodiversity, rainwater filtration, natural beauty, and climate regulation. A network of gravel access paths was created to further improve rainwater infiltration and guide foot traffic, protecting plant beds from trampling and allowing safe access to the beach. Numerous log benches and interesting natural features were added so that people of all ages can enjoy the park and connect with nature.
Cultus Lake Park after restoration, featuring upland native garden, habitat enhancement and access paths. Photo credit: Andrea McDonald, Green Shores Project Manager at the Stewardship Centre for BC.
In late October 2024, the site welcomed back Pacific salmon – see the video and photo below showing salmon at the newly enhanced Green Shores site at Cultus Lake Park (Media credits: Andrea McDonald)
Next Steps
The next step is to install educational signage about the features of the enhancement project and Green Shores’ nature-based solutions. Signs will also highlight the cultural history of the site, the importance of healthy shorelines and the spotlight on native flora and fauna.
In addition to signage, the project team will conduct monitoring of the site and welcome park visitors to enjoy the restored shoreline and learn about the importance and benefits of healthy shorelines through Green Shores training.
Acknowledgments
The project team would like to thank all the volunteers from Soowahlie First Nation, the Cultus Lake community and the local school who dedicated their time to making this project happen, rain or shine. We’d also like to recognize the essential financial and in-kind support of the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund through Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Province of BC, the Cultus Lake Park Board, Soowahlie First Nation, and Cultus Lake Stewards Society.
For project-specific questions, please connect with Project Manager, Andrea McDonald (andrea@stewardshipcentrebc.ca), or subscribe to the SCBC newsletter to stay up-to-date.
