Control of Shoreline Erosion at Sooke Reservoir Using Planted Willow Cuttings

Abstract

The Capital Regional District Water Department needed to expand the capacity of the Sooke Reservoir in order to meet the future water demands of the Greater Victoria residents. To facilitate this expansion the existing dam was raised and the future shoreline was prepared for flooding. To minimize the impacts of shoreline erosion on drinking water quality during this flooding a shoreline erosion strategy was implemented. One of the strategies implemented to control shoreline erosion was the cutting, processing, and planting of over 100,000 willow cuttings in areas identified to be at high risk for shoreline erosion potential. Both trench and bar-planted willow cuttings were installed with varying degrees of success. A number of challenges were presented and milestones were reached during the willow planting program which extended over a two-year program (2001-2003). The placement and strategies for future willow cutting planting programs need to be guided by the results of ongoing monitoring.