Five Creeks Stormwater Flood Protection Project

In 2013, the District of West Vancouver adopted an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP) to address concerns of overland flooding within the watershed area referred to as the Five Creeks, for the benefit of both existing and future neighbourhoods below and above the Upper Levels Highway. The name Five Creeks comes from the fact that the watershed contains Pipe, Westmount, Cave, Turner, and Godman Creeks.

This plan calls for a stormwater pipe to run through the Westmount and Altamont neighbourhoods from north of the Upper Levels Highway down to the Burrard Inlet at the foot of 31st Street.

The new stormwater pipe will address concerns related to flooding and erosion by diverting excess stormwater out of the creeks during extreme weather events, safely conveying the flow into the ocean.

The project entails the construction of a large-diameter stormwater pipe that will run from above the Upper Levels Highway, down to a new outfall at the Burrard inlet. Intake structures installed on the creeks will capture any significant stormwater that will overflow the creek banks and divert the excess flow into the pipe. 

Managing storm-level flows within these creeks will reduce the impacts of intense storms in Westmount and Altamont—both present-day levels and anticipated increasing levels of severity due to climate change.

The project's construction will be broken down into sections and completed in phases. In order to reduce the duration of disruption as much as possible, there may be times when multiple crews will be working at different sections of the project. The remaining phases of construction will include the following:

• Highway pipe crossings underneath the Highway 1 right-of way and Highway 1 Westbound Exit 7 off-ramp.
• Connection of highway pipe crossings to existing stormmain along the 3300 and 3400 block of Westmount Road.
• East leg of the storm diversion pipe and creek intake structures north of the Upper Levels Highway.

The District completed an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP) in 2013 that identified 18 existing culverts and 24 existing channel sections below the Upper Levels Highway as being inadequate to safely convey high flow storm runoff. 

In addition, the ISMP indicated that the creeks within the watershed may not have sufficient capacity to handle extreme natural storm events—which are increasing due to climate change— without flooding and significant erosion of the creeks. To reduce the risk of flooding, it was determined that the best solution is a new stormwater pipe that to collect excess water from the creeks and safely convey this stormwater directly to the ocean.

The project is required to reduce in-stream impacts on existing homes, many of which were built within stream setbacks and even on top of creeks. The stormwater diversion eliminates the need for the District to upgrade or replace the existing under-capacity culverts and channels.

Purpose

The purpose of this storm diversion project is to contain extreme stormwater flows from the watersheds of Pipe Creek, Westmount Creek, Cave Creek, Turner Creek and Godman Creek before they can impact the Rodgers Creek, Westmount and Altamont neighbourhoods. 

Benefit

The project will increase the level of flood protection for approximately 800 homes below the Upper Levels Highway and reduce erosion hazards, protect life and property in these neighbourhoods, and protect the watershed health of the Five Creek drainage areas.

Description of work

• Storm diversion pipe and intake structures.
• Blasting may be required in some areas during construction owing to the topography and natural ground conditions of the area, a pre-blasting survey will be conducted by the blasting company for all residents located within 60 meters of a proposed blasting site, access to the residence is required (for a complete per blast survey).
• Road reconstruction resurfacing, with sidewalk installation.
• Boulevard restoration.

Construction of a large infrastructure project will have an impact on the neighbourhood. It will create inconvenience for residents. However, the inconvenience is temporary and the District is working to minimize the impact as much as possible.

Traffic management and pedestrian safety

Onsite traffic control persons will manage pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle safety through the construction zone.

Please remember that traffic control persons and signage are there for your safety, as well as the safety of the construction workers. Please respect all signage and personnel.

Construction hours will follow the District’s Noise Control Bylaw. Construction will be permitted from are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. as required to complete work on schedule.

During stormwater diversion construction:

• Work to complete the highway crossing will require a 12 to 14 week full closure of Highway 1 Westbound Exit 7.
• Work to tie-in the crossings into the existing diversion system will require intermittent, single-lane alternating traffic along the 3300 and 3400 blocks of Westmount Road.
• Traffic control personnel will be on-site during construction hours to help facilitate access for local traffic and emergency vehicles.
• Parking will be restricted on the road and boulevards during the construction.
• Temporary no parking signs will be installed prior to the work.

Area map of 2022 work

Traffic management plan 

Due to the construction  along 31st Street, the 253 will be re-routed to 24th Street, along Mathers and up to Highway 1. Bus stops in the construction area will be temporarily inactive. We first considered a detour route through Hillcrest but, after listening to concerns voiced by residents, the 253 was re-routed to 24th Street.

Bus #253 detours

There may be impacts to Blue Bus service during road restoration. Please check back for updates or sign up to receive updates by email.