News & Media

Town receiving $2.75-million to strengthen flood defences along Holland Creek

The Town of Ladysmith is receiving $2,750,000 in Provincial funding to help mitigate the potential natural disaster risk posed to the Holland Creek weirs in the face of inclement weather resulting from climate change.

As a result of a BC Dam Safety Review completed in 2023, the Town’s engineering consultant team advised that the Town decommission and repair three weirs along the creek. 

The Town was subsequently successful in its application to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to fully cover the budget for this project, which will strengthen our flood defences along the watercourse. 

As a result of the funding, the Town plans to deconstruct the weir near the Mackie Road entrance to the trail.  The decommissioning of the lower weir will restore the creek bed, providing a more natural passage of water and improved conditions for aquatic habitat.

Additional upgrades to the middle weir and intake weir further upstream will reduce the risk of a potential structural failure as well as improve overall operation and access to the Town's water source.

“Holland Creek is contained within a forest park that spans the heart of the Ladysmith community.  The decommissioning of the lower weir along with upgrades and repairs to two other low-head dams as required following a Dam Safety BC review, help remove the risk of erosion along the banks, improve restoration of the creek supporting aquatic habitat, and ensure the continued enjoyment of the trail system,” said Mayor Aaron Stone.  “Additionally, funding to repair the intake weir further ensures the long-term supply of water to the Town’s filtration plant, which is integral to distributing safe drinking water to the entire community, Stz'uminus First Nation and the Diamond Water Improvement District.”

Climate change has increased the occurrence of inclement weather events which can damage municipal infrastructure through natural hazards such as debris flows.

Following flood damage in January 2020, the Town included upgrades to the upper intake weir in its Capital Plan. The proposed improvements include reinforcing the overall strength of the weir, erosion protection and a communications tower to transmit flow rates and water levels.

The project will be completed later this year within the fishery window, typically mid-June to September.  We encourage the public to monitor the Town’s website and social media for any related trail closures.