Campbell River Shoreline Assessment

MDI collaborated with Northwest Hydraulic Consultants and Current Environmental, to prepare a detailed shoreline inventory, mapping, and development guidelines report for the City of Campbell River.  The shoreline was mapped according to biological characteristics as well as geophysical characteristics, such as shoreline processes and exposure to storm waves and wind (ShoreZone Data was referenced and expanded upon).

The project team provided the City with specific management recommendations on some key trouble spots (boat launches subject to wood and sediment accumulation rendering them inoperable).  As well, shoreline development guidelines were prepared to help educate the public at large about appropriate design and development approaches for the shoreline.  The objectives of the guidelines were threefold:

1) To highlight the value of the shoreline;

2) To illustrate how values are being lost through degradation of the natural shoreline forms and processes; and

3) To provide the city and the public with alternatives to shoreline management that help to preserve a wide range of shoreline values.

One of the most encouraging projects that the City of Campbell River (in partnership with Pat Harrison of JPH Consultants Ltd) has developed is the Dick Murphy Park Shoreline Restoration project.  This project was a Green Shores pilot project, and resulted in the restoration of an eroding sediment shoreline that had a failing retaining structure on it.  The failing retaining structure was removed and a natural beach profile was re-established along the shoreline. Our team highlighted the success of the Dick Murphy Park project, through interpretive signage and inclusion of the story in the guidelines document.