Project Overview

The City of New Westminster is updating its watercourse classification mapping for the Queensborough neighbourhood by conducting a comprehensive review of the local watercourses and drainage ditches. This will ensure current classifications and mapping reflect changes in land use, drainage, and legislation that has occurred since the last map update in 2012.

This project will help the City identify current fish habitat, protect sensitive riparian (waterfront) areas, and ensure our environmental mapping meets current legislation. In addition to the environmental review, the project includes a detailed survey and physical condition assessment of Queensborough’s culverts and ditches to support the City's asset management planning.

What’s Happening?

Starting this spring, you may see field crews working in your neighborhood. The project team will be:

• Assessing Fish Habitat & Ecology: Inspecting local ditches to verify water flow, habitat health, and the presence of fish. This may include fish sampling by qualified biologists.
• Surveying Ditches & Culverts: Measuring ditch profiles, geometry, depth, and culvert invert elevations.
• Assessing Infrastructure Condition: Inspecting culverts and ditches to grade their physical condition on a scale of 1 to 5. This helps the City determine current infrastructure health, estimate remaining life expectancy, and identify where future maintenance or replacements are needed.
• Updating City Maps: Creating an updated digital map that will guide future land use, development reviews, and environmental protection in Queensborough.

Impacts to Residents

This work is expected to have minimal impact on the public.

• Personnel on site: Residents may notice field crews wearing high-visibility vests working near roads, ditches, and public right-of-ways. They may be taking photos, measuring channels, observing water conditions, or sampling fish.
• Traffic: No major road closures or traffic disruptions are anticipated. Short-term, minor shoulder closures may occur to ensure the safety of the survey crews.
• Property Access: Driveway access will be maintained at all times. Crews will primarily be working on public property, unless authorized to access private property.

Timeline

• Field Work Begins: April 2026
• Project Completion: Summer 2026

Project Contact

For more information on this project, please contact Meghan Doyle, Environmental Coordinator, at 778-791-3523 or .