Penticton Creek Restoration Project Looking Good

The Penticton Creek restoration initiative is shaping up nicely, as the project reaches the halfway mark.

Beginning on August 4th, newly restored creek banks along Penticton Creek are slowly forming and flood protection plans are coming together. Aside from stabilizing creek banks and maintaining flood protection, the project is expected to help restore fish habitats.

Rendering of proposed restored Penticton Creek. (Photo Credit: City of Penticton website.)

“We are so pleased to see the phenomenal progress on this project, as a huge first step in making Penticton Creek more sustainable,” said Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit. “The City of Penticton is grateful for the tremendous support of our partners in this initiative, including the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation - their financial support has really made this project possible.”

As a sample project, Ian McGregor with the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation hopes to see similar restoration initiatives popping up throughout the Okanagan.

“Restoring historically productive kokanee streams is a major component of the Okanagan Lake Action Plan,” said McGregor. “It’s great to see the City of Penticton taking the lead on a project that will benefit fish populations while simultaneously addressing the needs of Penticton residents.”

Penticton Creek. (Photo Credit: Guy Hoffman via Flickr.)

The project will continue to restore a small section, around 80 metres, of Penticton Creek upstream from the Ellis Street Bridge.

The new and improved creek will feature trees and special vegetation, large rocks, and pooling areas for juvenile and adult rainbow trout.

If you’re interested in learning about how the Penticton Restoration project will unfold, visit the Penticton City website or take a drive by the construction zone.