Minnekhada’s getting a makeover 

Minnekhada Regional Park spans 126 hectares of dense forest, lush fields and marshland. Its marshes are among the Fraser Valley’s few remaining freshwater basins and host many birds and other wildlife seeking food and shelter during migration and the winter months. 

Ducks Unlimited Canada has been a conservation partner of Metro Vancouver since the 1980s when the park was established. Now nearly 30 years later, the dams and dikes that maintain the marshes are deteriorating and need to be replaced.

What is planned?

Ducks Unlimited Canada will replace the water controls and repair dikes during September. Built in the early 1980s, the weirs and dikes are showing signs of failure and needed to be replaced to maintain the marshes’ health.  The construction work is expected to run for several weeks.

Construction progress:

  1. Continue visiting our Flickr site capturing the return of marsh vegetation and wildlife.
  2. Construction at Minnekhada Regional Park is complete. Park visitors will notice the water levels rising in the marsh during October and November.
  3. Week of October 17
    1. The Mid-Marsh Trail remains closed until further notice. Watch for signs indicating if access is permitted.
    2. Last remaining construction activities scheduled on the new water control at the base of the Lower Marsh.
    3. Construction is expected to wrap-up on Wednesday, October 19.
  4. October 14
    1. Completed construction on the culverts and surface repairs to the Mid-Marsh Trail.
    2. Seeded native wetland grasses along the dikes to foster growth.
  5. Week of October 11
    1. Continued closure of the Mid-Marsh Trail to complete:
      Repairs to beaver holes in dike, trail rebuilding and resurfacing.
    2. Complete final contouring and seeding of Mid-Marsh and Lodge trails.
    3. General cleanup of sites and begin revegetation of construction areas.
  6. October 7 - Completed installation of the pipes under the Mid-Marsh Trail.
  7. October 3
    1. Rock placed around the weir at the lower marsh.
    2. Bridge replacement completed.
  8. Week of October 3
    1. Closure of the Mid-Marsh Trail for the remainder of the week to facilitate removal of the weir, installation of new culvert and trail resurfacing.
    2. Periodic closures along the Lodge Trail for bridge replacement and trail resurfacing..
  9. September 29 - Completed installation of weir, screwgate and pipe at the entry to the lower marsh.
  10. September. 27-29 - Work continues at the lower marsh. The crew will be welding and installing a new water control (called a screwgate) and pipe, and placing rock around the new water control.
  11. September 27 - Crew completed driving the new steel weir into the ground
  12. September 26 - Construction on lower marsh water control postponed due to heavy rain and wind
  13. September 22 - Rebuilding water control at the lower marsh started
  14. Week of September 19 - Construction crew moving onsite
  15. September 9 onwards - Draining the water (draw down) from the marsh

Check out photo collages of past and present memories from Minnekhada, including snapshots from the 2011 construction project.

After construction is complete, Ducks Unlimited will maintain responsibility for the weirs and dikes. Metro Vancouver will continue to manage all other park activities.

For more information, check out these commonly asked questions.

 
BACK TO TOPBack to Top