Stop flooding from climate change that threatens our WV Coastline

Ambleside Park, 2022

West Vancouver is known for its beautiful shorelines, seaside parks and diverse marine ecosystems. The community has a lengthy history of implementing measures to protect its precious shoreline dating back to 1926 when Council introduced regulations to prevent the development of major industry along its shorelines. In 1967, the 1.7 km Centennial Seawalk from Ambleside to Dundarave was opened to mark Canada’s 100th anniversary.

Following the launch of the District’s Shoreline Protection Plan in 2006, several coastal resilience projects were undertaken, some involving cooperative efforts with the West Vancouver Shoreline Preservation Society, the West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society and the Coho Society. In April 2022, the District adopted the Coastal Marine Management Plan and related Foreshore Development Permits for those wishing to subdivide a lot, build a structure or do any major landscaping within 15 meters of the high tide mark. In April of 2025, the District purchased the last piece of private waterfront property in Ambleside to complete a 50-year project to provide continuous public waterfront access from Ambleside Park to Dundarave Park. West Vancouver’s coastline is vulnerable to impacts from climate change, particularly from sea level rise causing coastal flooding and erosion.

The District has a history of coastal and creek flooding, with recent floods in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024. Flooding of coastal areas is expected to become more frequent and severe as sea levels rise and rainfall becomes more intense. The Centennial Seawalk received significant storm surge damage in 2012, 2021 and 2022, and the stormwater outfall at 24th Street needed repair following the atmospheric river event of October 2024. To adapt to climate change, the Seawalk will need to undergo a major reconstruction. This could be an opportunity to incorporate space for people riding bicycles and other wheeled devices as currently exists on the seaside paths around Stanley Park and False Creek.

Laura Husband, who graduated from the University of Chicago in May, has released her research paper (2025) on coastal resilience strategies that ensure the long-term sustainability of the Dundarave-Ambleside shoreline in the face of climate change and increasing coastal hazards. It is available here on the WVPV website.

Let’s keep the pressure up on our Mayor and Council to meet the challenges ahead. Let them hear your concerns by contacting them at correspondence@westvancouver.ca

Together we can make a positive difference with our voices!