Green Shores | Case Studies
Prospect Lake, Saanich, British Columbia
Green Shores for Homes project
Before
After
Project Overview
| Location: Prospect Lake, Municipality of Saanich, British Columbia | Project area: 0.11 ha |
| Year completed: 2019 | Awards: NA |
| Shoreline length: 32 m | Shore type: Lake: Sediment includes silt and sand |
| Green Shores rating achieved: GOLD | Total points: 52 |
Site Description
The Prospect Lake shoreline at this property has extensive riparian vegetation, including overstory trees and snags, midstory shrubs, and emergent vegetation, such as sedges and rushes. The shoreline has large woody debris and little evidence of erosion. Aquatic vegetation is also present with pond lilies.
The riparian buffer width has been increased through the elimination of lawn mowing near the natural boundary, which has allowed re-establishment of native vegetation such as sedges. Wave erosion could be possible from southeasterly winds and from boat use on the lake.
Project Team and Affiliated Organizations
- Design Build General Contractor: Tim Scherete (Jane’s Joinery)
- Design Architect: Tim Scherete (Janes’s Joinery)
- Landscape Architect: Turk Landscape Designs
- Environmental Management Plan: Swell Environmental Consulting Ltd.
- Native Plant Supplier: n/a; plants sourced on site
Project Objectives
- Establish an enhanced riparian area to help stabilize the foreshore from potential erosion.
- Expand the riparian buffer by allowing native plants such as sedges and rushes to establish more inland.
- Retain existing large woody materials, including a large cottonwood that has been felled by a beaver.
- Retain overhanging vegetation to enhance habitat protection.
- Promote overall infiltration on-site through the use of permeable materials.
- Increase resiliency to lake level rise from climate change through the location of the primary structure at a greater distance from the natural boundary and through an enhanced riparian buffer that will dissipate wave action.
Work Plan
The newly constructed home was designed and built with a setback and placement that exceeded the Municipality of Saanich requirements for floodplain management. It also met Green Shores best practices for adaptation to lake level rise. Existing native riparian vegetation was managed to expand landward from the existing riparian buffer, and work to remove invasives such as flag iris and ivy is ongoing and monitored for success. Shoreline access was designated with a small rock path that allows in-situ infiltration and provides micro-habitat for snakes.
Description of how the project meets Green Shores principles
> Maintained/ Enhanced Habitat Function and Diversity
- The riparian buffer was enhanced for a minimum additional depth of 10 metres along 100 percent of the shoreline. Well-established vegetation, including overhanging trees and shrubs such as Black Cottonwood, Red Osier Dogwood, and Willow, are maintained, and plants along the transition to the aquatic area of the lake are abundant and provide habitat for terrestrial and aquatic organisms.
- Woody materials have been retained and added throughout the property, providing habitat, cover, and a source of food (e.g. insects) to local birds and other wildlife.
- Numerous bird boxes, bat boxes and mason bee houses are placed throughout the property.
- The implementation of the landscape maintenance plan with best practices for the environment (e.g., no use of synthetic chemicals) protects the integrity of both the terrestrial and aquatic areas.
> Preserved/Restored Shoreline Physical Processes
- The shoreline was protected from wave action with extensive, well-established riparian and aquatic vegetation.
- The woody materials retained within the riparian buffer also provided protection from wind and wave action while allowing sediment transport to occur along the shoreline.
> Ecological Services Provided
- Shoreline stabilization and erosion control from an expanded riparian zone and retention of large woody materials.
- Habitat creation from native plant retention and expansion and woody material placement.
- Significantly increased groundwater recharge to sub-surface aquifers through the design of the rainwater collection from the green roof on the house, which directs this water to the area underneath the house, where it infiltrates directly into the ground.
- Increased aesthetics through the application of a natural landscape design and an innovative and low-impact shoreline access route via the rock walkway.
> Additional Notes
- The house has an intact and fully functioning Living Green Roof that provides additional habitat, filtration of run-off from the roof surface, beautiful aesthetics with numerous types of vegetation, and thermo-regulation for the house.
- The house is serviced by a newly installed, highly efficient tertiary septic system and vegetated dispersal field on the west side of the house, which is the area farthest from the shoreline.
- Multiple initiatives have been ongoing to share and promote information about this property’s environmental features and the benefits of Green Shores. These include Open Houses, media releases, tours with Saanich Council and other stewardship group members, and participation in the One Planet BC program.
- The application of Green Shores best practices for the shoreline at this location showcases how Green Shores principles can enhance habitat and protect property infrastructure. The property is now significantly more resilient to lake level rise and other potential climate change impacts. It can serve as a great example of how nature-based solutions reduce risks for the homeowner.
