The Squamish Central Estuary Restoration Project is a broad multi-phase initiative in Squamish, led by the Squamish River Watershed Society in partnership with the Squamish Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, to restore access to over 300 hectares of critical habitat for fish and wildlife, particularly juvenile salmonids, and to improve long-term restoration of the area. Key components of the overall program include:

• CERP Phase 1 – Culvert upgrades at four key locations through the berm for improved fish passage and connectivity between the Squamish River and adjacent estuary (Phase 1, completed August 2025),
• CERP Phase 2 – Training berm lowering and culvert removal through a critical 800 m section extending into Howe Sound (Phase 2, completed May 2023).

The location is significant in Canada in terms of economic development, public recreation, tourism, and environmental sensitivity. Working in close collaboration with the local government, Indigenous partners, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders, the team balanced mitigating potential flood risks, construction feasibility, ecosystem enhancement, and critical habitat restoration. The project supports climate‑resilient infrastructure modernization and aligns with ongoing watershed restoration priorities in the region.

Planning and engineering assessments guided the design, addressing river and coastal dynamics, while adaptive risk management ensured safe construction within tight environmental windows. The project restored natural floodplain connectivity, improved fish habitat and passage, and supports climate-resilient management, with ongoing monitoring showing immediate increased fish movement, and indications of projected long-term ecosystem benefits.

With a focus on the program objective of ecological restoration, collaboration was a theme in the process with a range of stakeholders, including the Squamish First Nations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Transport Canada, local industry and user groups. Coordinated through the Squamish River Watershed Society, all contributions informed the ongoing development of the project details and approvals.

A multi-disciplinary team including professionals from Hydrotechnical, Environmental, Ports and Marine, Geotechnical, and Structural were utilized at various stages of the program to plan, collaborate, and deliver a variety of solutions tailored to the unique location.

A comprehensive hydraulic assessment and analysis informed the project design by evaluating river flow dynamics in conjunction with significant coastal influences at the mouth of Howe Sound. The study considered tidal effects, ongoing geomorphological processes, flow patterns, sediment transport, and erosion protection, all within the context of climate change. The results helped determine the best methods for modifying berms, removing and replacing culverts, and improving habitat.

The team addressed construction challenges collaboratively under a Time & Materials contract. Tight scheduling was necessary due to environmental windows, flood risk, tides, and user needs. Risk mitigation measures were planned and adapted as needed, including emergency responses to flooding, to safeguard the project and environment.

The project restored natural floodplain connectivity, improved fish passage and habitat, enhanced access for key salmon species, and supported climate-resilient watershed management. These efforts resulted in a safer and more sustainable system that benefits both the community and local ecosystems and demonstrates a collaborative approach. Ongoing monitoring has indicated the highest rate of fish movement within the system following construction, demonstrating the projects effectiveness.