Soames Creek Riparian Planting Restoration

Abstract

Soames Creek, a creek in Coastal British Columbia, was impacted by heavy rainfall and slope failures during an atmospheric river in 2021. High water flows and debris redirected the stream channel, and in order to slow undercutting that put critical drinking water infrastructure at risk, the stream was channelized and armoured with riprap. During the installation of riprap, riparian vegetation in the project area was lost and not replanted. The main ecological goal of this project was to restore a portion of Soames Creek that was affected by the debris flow, flooding and armouring in 2021 through riparian area planting, including revegetating the riprap.

This project first identified the best vegetation for the current disturbed site conditions, through desktop review and site surveys. Following this review, a planting plan consisting of native plants suited for the for the disturbed site conditions and site goals was developed and sourced from a local nursery. Planting of the project area then took place. Site monitoring is recommended initially for plant survival, then for the long-term project success of restoring the riparian vegetation on site to increase ecological diversity and low-level canopy cover over the stream for aquatic species, and absorb moisture during periods of high stream flow and rainfall to better stabilize stream flows.