Lower Springhill Erosion Project | Fall 2024–Spring 2025
The City of Kamloops has contracted Urban Appeal to rehabilitate the advanced erosion in Lower Springhill Creek adjacent to Xget’tem’ Trail within the Sahali Terrace Nature Park. The scope of work will include upgrading the drainage pipework that supplies the creek, armouring portions of the creek with rip-rap (large rocks) that slow the water flow rate and prevents future erosion, and restorative planting. We are informing the public and trail users that the project will commence on October 28, 2024, with expected completion in May 2025.
Xget'tem' Trail Impacts
From October 28, 2024, to approximately April 2025, Xget'tem' Trail will be closed weekly (Monday through Friday), and will re-open to trail users on Friday evenings for weekend use. Trail closure information will be posted at trail heads. Note: Given that the trail is considered an all ages and abilities facility, there are no suitable equivalent routes as alternatives.
Once significant construction works using excavators is completed (approximately April 2025), planting and less significant works will occur until May 2025, however, the trail will be kept open during those works.
Throughout construction, trail users are asked to use caution in the area and obey all signage, as there will be an increase in heavy truck traffic and equipment in the area.
Throughout the duration of the project, the Peterson Creek picnic area will be closed.
Project Goals
- to protect the channel from erosion from both existing and future development flows
- to integrate the design into the natural setting
The City has comprehensive in-house staff with specialization in engineering, environmental services, landscaping, and park maintenance. The City has also engaged a team of qualified professionals in service agreements to assist with various stormwater projects on an as-required basis within the community. This includes engineering (water resource, geotechnical, electrical, civil, and structural), a landscape architect, biologists, an agrologist, archaeologists, certified technicians, and experienced contractors.
Authorities such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Provincial Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship are also being consulted throughout the project as we are committed to ensuring full compliance with their recommendations during works.
Background Information
Springhill Creek serves as the major drainage corridor for Upper Sahali and a significant portion of Aberdeen. Historic development of those neighbourhoods utilized a peak conveyance strategy to manage stormwater. This has manifested in downstream erosion issues with the natural corridor.
A large 2014 rain event induced massive erosion with the Springhill Creek corridor in which spot repairs of the major erosion sites were completed. There are remaining sections of the channel requiring erosion protection works to support adequate conveyance of existing flows and those resulting from future development.
Erosion Activity | Before and After
