Penticton Creek Restoration Reach 3A Upper and 3B

Penticton, B.C.

Following severe flooding that devastated downtown Penticton, Penticton Creek was channelized and lined with concrete in its lower reaches to eliminate floodplains and prevent future flooding. While effective for flood protection, this infrastructure significantly diminished the creek’s value as a fish habitat, impacting the species that historically spawned there. Between 2019 and 2023, Stantec designed the restoration of a 320-metre section of the creek to create high-quality fish habitat while maintaining flood protection. The restoration involved removal of the concrete and re-grading to create a rehabilitated riffle-pool channel. The naturalized creek provides increased fish habitat, an attractive space for the community, and supports vital ecosystem functions.

This project offers a compelling example of how small communities can lead meaningful environmental restoration. By transforming a channelized creek into a naturalized waterway, it improved flood resilience and fish habitat while restoring ecological balance. Its success shows that even modest-scale projects can deliver significant environmental benefits and inspire similar efforts across the country.