Gaining ground: An update after three years of sediment restoration at Sturgeon Bank

Year three by the numbers 

This year’s sediment addition placed 5,782 cubic metres, an amount that would fill about 770 dump trucks, of fine material across two mounds on Sturgeon Bank. This is a 45 per cent increase over the previous year, at 18 per cent lower cost. That kind of efficiency gain is no small feat, especially given the complexities of working with tides, heavy equipment and sensitive habitat. 

The project team, led by Ducks Unlimited Canada and partnered with Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, and Asarum Ecological Consulting, fine-tuned logistics and built on past lessons to see these improvements. Daytime tides allowed for comprehensive environmental monitoring, and improved scheduling helped maximize the amount of sediment that was delivered within a narrow operational window. 

What we’re learning 

Year three wasn’t just about more sediment, it was about better understanding. 

Researchers monitored sediment fate (the ultimate journey and destination for deposited materials), turbidity (how cloudy or murky the water becomes), biofilm composition (the community of microorganisms found in the area), marsh vegetation edge dynamics (the activity at the transition zone between two ecosystems) and more. Some highlights: 

• Natural processes are working with us: Visible impressions from equipment and sediment movement were smoothed by tides, waves and wind. 

• The sediment is dispersing as expected: Mound volumes are decreasing, and mounds are spreading laterally as tide movement redistributes the material. 

• Wildlife is undisturbed: Gulls, herons, seals, and even coyotes were observed throughout the project area, using the site during and after sediment addition. 

• Challenges persist: Some equipment positioning issues led to less-than-ideal discharge locations, but these offer important lessons for future implementation. 

Monitoring also identified small amounts of debris including garbage, gravel and wood fragments in some sediment loads, prompting quick cleanup and procedural reviews. No harmful alterations to habitats were observed, and early biological monitoring indicates that the project is not causing negative impacts on local biological systems.  

Why it matters 

Sturgeon Bank has lost over 395 acres (160 hectares) of tidal marsh since the 1980s. Restoring sediment supply is essential, not just for the marsh itself, but for everything it supports: Pacific salmon, migratory birds, carbon storage and flood resilience for surrounding communities. 

This pilot project is testing whether small-scale, strategic sediment additions are feasible methods for marsh restoration. Given the short timeframe and limited volume of sediment added, immediate tidal marsh changes aren’t expected. However, if proven effective, this approach could inform larger-scale restoration efforts across the Fraser River Estuary and beyond.  

What’s next 

With funding in place for year four, the project will continue in fall 2025 with a goal of adding 4,500 to 6,000 cubic metres (another ~800 dump truck’s worth) of silt and clay. At the same time, the team is exploring options for project expansion, including larger sand mounds and wider geographic coverage. 

The takeaway 

Each year this pilot project brings more learning, better practices and stronger collaboration. And while challenges remain, the vision of a healthier, more resilient Sturgeon Bank feels closer with each tide, and each barge of sediment. 

Project partners

This project is led by Ducks Unlimited Canada, with funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Province of British Columbia via the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Nature Force.