KEYSTONE PROJECT:
Capricorn Creek Restoration

in 2010, the Capricorn Creek landslide occurred within Líl̓wat Nation Traditional Territory at Q̓welq̓welústen (Mount Meager) volcanic complex, located approximately 65 km northwest of Pemberton, British Columbia. The mountain peak collapsed and released fifty million cubic meters of sediment that inundated nearly 9 km of Meager Creek and the Lillooet River.

Since then, natural vegetation regeneration has been extremely limited. Clear Course has been working with several partners to address the issues resulting from the landslide.

The Issue

The landslide material has drastically altered the sediment input into the Lillooet River, significantly increasing flood risk in populated areas.

It is expected that sediment will continue to erode and deposit throughout the river valley for the next 60–80 years.

Since the landslide, there has been limited revegetation at the site increasing erosion and limiting terrestrial and aquatic habitat recovery.

The Plan

This project aims to stabilize the landslide debris using plants and innovative landscaping techniques as there are challenges with compaction, low organic matter, and other site conditions that restrict plant growth.

Clear Course is managing the project by connecting partners—including Lil̓wat Nation, industry, universities, and businesses—and working with them to secure funding for the project.

The goal is to create improved habitat conditions at the landslide site—as well as mitigate downstream effects—and to develop best practices on how to address these kinds of landscape-scale disturbances at other sites.