Making Squamish better protected through diking enhancement projects

SQUAMISH -

Summary

• District of Squamish identified diking projects as top local priority to protect people from flooding
• The projects are part of the Province's investment of almost $590 million for more than 3,000 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects since 2017

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People in Squamish are better protected from periods of high water on the Squamish River with the completion of several flood-mitigation projects supported by the Province and the federal and local governments.

"Investments in disaster mitigation are essential as communities face the realities of a changing climate," said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. "These upgrades protect a significant portion of Squamish and address one of the community's most pressing needs. I'm grateful for the collaboration between the Province, the federal government and District of Squamish that made this important project possible."

Dike on Squamish River raised, widened

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Greene visited the Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough diking project, which is improving flood protection in Squamish. Completed project works to date include the raising and widening of approximately 900 metres of the Squamish River dike, a new culvert, adding stone rip-rap erosion protection for the raised portion of the dike, and a new vehicle turnout and upgraded access ramp.

The project is funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP):

• The Province provided more than $1.8 million through the Green Infrastructure stream of ICIP, and more than $360,000 from the Covid-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream (CVRIS).
• The federal government contributed more than $2.1 million from the Green Infrastructure stream, and more than $1.5 million from CVRIS.

The District of Squamish contributed more than $1.4 million.

Disaster preparedness throughout B.C.

Since 2017, the Province has provided nearly $590 million for more than 3,000 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects administered through the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. This includes approximately $350 million provided to First Nations and local governments for more than 2,800 projects through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, including more than $650,000 toward 17 Squamish projects. The Province also provided more than $380,000 for three projects in Squamish under the National Disaster Mitigation Program.

The Province also established the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program to help First Nations and local governments strengthen defences against natural and climate-caused hazards. To date, more than $45.3 million has been committed for 67 ongoing projects throughout B.C.

The Province has also contributed about $429 million toward more than 177 projects under the Green Infrastructure stream of ICIP, with another $836 million committed by the federal government. The Province has provided about $25 million toward 148 projects under CVRIS. The federal government's contribution to B.C. under CVRIS is more than $123 million.

Quotes:

Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country

"Communities throughout the Sea to Sky are already experiencing the impacts of more frequent and severe flooding events. Projects like the Upper Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough dike upgrades are about protecting people, homes, businesses and critical infrastructure from those risks. By strengthening nearly a kilometre of dike along the Squamish River, this project improves public safety, enhances climate resilience, and helps ensure Squamish can continue to grow and thrive for decades to come."

Armand Hurford, mayor of Squamish

"These upgrades are critical to improving flood protection in Brackendale, Garibaldi Estates and on Squamish Nation land, and we are grateful to the provincial and federal governments for the grant funding. First identified in 2017 and begun in 2019, this work shows the long-term planning needed to strengthen protections, reduce flood risk and safeguard residents as our community faces a changing climate, supported by collaboration across all levels of government."

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