Thain Creek Restoration

In-person Information Session

Join us to speak with project staff, ask questions and learn more about the project.

Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Location: Delbrook Community Centre – Maple Room
Time: Drop in anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.


The City is planning restoration work to address ongoing slope instability and erosion along a section of Thain Creek. The project site is located in the northwest corner of the City, near Delbrook Community Centre and adjacent to the District of North Vancouver.

Project Map

This work is in response to the atmospheric river event in October 2024, which significantly worsened erosion and affected slope stability in the area. While the slope is currently stable and there is no immediate risk to people or buildings, completing this work before the upcoming rainy season is a priority. 

We are working closely with engineering and environmental consultants, along with the District of North Vancouver, to develop a comprehensive remediation plan. The plan is designed to address the underlying causes of erosion along the creek and protect surrounding properties from potential future risk. Our long-term goal is to improve the area’s capacity to adapt and recover from increasingly frequent extreme weather events. 


Project Design

The project design aims to stabilize the slope, reduce erosion, and improve the overall health of Thain Creek. Key features include reinforcing the creek banks with large rocks to prevent future washouts, and raising and reshaping the creek bed to reduce the steep drops caused by past storm events. These changes will slow water flow during heavy rain, making the channel more stable and less likely to erode. To support fish and aquatic life, the design includes rock weirs, plunge pools, and large woody debris that help create calmer water areas for fish rearing and improve fish passage upstream. Finally, the design includes a comprehensive restoration plan that uses native plants and trees to strengthen the banks, support local habitat, and enhance the natural character of the creek.

Thain Creek rendering Thain Creek rendering 1
 

Project Timeline

The in-stream components of the project are expected to begin in late July 2025 and conclude by mid-September 2025. Due to the project’s location in and around a waterway, it is subject to a rigorous regulatory permitting process that involves Federal, Provincial and First Nations governments. We are currently working through this process and will begin construction as soon as all necessary approvals are in place. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) also sets specific times of year when work of this nature can be carried out with the least impact on fish habitat and local wildlife. The optimal period for work at Thain Creek is between mid-July and mid-September.

What to Expect

We are committed to ensuring minimal disruption during construction and will keep the community informed by providing ongoing updates throughout the project. 

Construction schedule

  • Work will take place within the City and District’s noise control bylaw, with construction activities occurring between 7am – 8pm on weekdays and 9am – 5pm on Saturdays.
  • Additional work may occur if project timelines require it.
  • Equipment will be delivered at the start of the project and stored in a nearby staging area off West Queens Road. This staging area will not impact street parking.

Temporary traffic changes

Crews will access the site from West Queens Road and Bewicke Avenue. There will be increased truck traffic in the area throughout the project. 

Temporary traffic changes will be required along West Queens Road. We anticipate one-lane alternating traffic at times to allow trucks to access the project site. Traffic personnel will be on-site to help keep traffic moving and ensure pedestrians and cyclists can move through the area safety. 

Temporary trail closures

Access to trails surrounding Thain Creek will be temporarily restricted. Signage will be in place before construction begins and throughout the project. Please avoid the area to help ensure a safe and efficient work environment.  

Tree removals

The project requires the removal of some trees from in and around the creek. Many of these trees are considered to be in poor health, while others have been identified as presenting a safety risk to workers in the construction zone or require removal to access the site.

Restoration and replanting

Following creek stabilization, the project will include extensive restoration and replanting to enhance the ecological function of the area. Invasive plant species will be removed and replaced with a mix of native trees, shrubs, and ferns to help stabilize the banks and support local wildlife. Over 1,100 square metres of riparian area will be replanted with native species such as vine maple, salmonberry, sword fern, and red elderberry. The planting plan reflects the natural ecology of the site and incorporates species of cultural significance to the Squamish Nation. Trees removed during construction will be replaced in accordance with the City and District’s Tree Bylaw with input from Urban Forestry teams from both jurisdictions. The replanted areas will be monitored over several years to ensure healthy growth and long-term habitat recovery. 

Improvements to Fish Habitat

The project will improve fish habitat in Thain Creek by removing barriers to fish passage and enhancing the overall quality of the aquatic environment. A large boulder pile and steep vertical drops created by past storm events, will be replaced with a gentler, stepped channel using rock weirs and plunge pools to help fish move upstream more easily. The creek bed will be raised and regraded to slow the flow of water and create deeper pools, providing better habitat for juvenile salmon and other native fish. Large woody debris and boulders will be placed in the channel to increase habitat complexity, offering cover and feeding areas, and improved oxygen levels in the water. These improvements are designed to support long-term fish passage and rearing in this section of Thain Creek, and to reconnect access to approximately 1.2 km of upstream habitat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the goals of the project?
The key goals of the project are to:

  • Stabilize creek banks and slopes
  • Protect nearby properties from future erosion-related risks
  • Restore the ecological health of Thain Creek
  • Strengthen the area’s resilience to future extreme weather events

Will access to Delbrook Community Centre be impacted?
No. Access to Delbrook Community Centre will be unaffected during construction. 

Will parking be removed as part of this work?
There will be no changes to parking as a result of the restoration work taking place in Thain Creek.


Contact Us

Engineering, Parks & Environment
Phone: 604-983-7333
Email: eng@cnv.org

Fern

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