Restore Dry Creek Estuary

Nurture our City and Community – Honour and Revitalize the Past

Pull the slider for before and after on Google Maps

This page is dedicated to an idea from the City of Port Alberni’s purchase of the Somass Mill site in 2021. The City presented a compelling idea to redevelop and transform the land. We support this direction.

We have a bigger vision to restore Dry Creek (aka Owatchet Creek). See our Brochure. You can also find printed brochures attached to the fence facing the property near Tyee Landing!

Expression of Interest Submitted!

Oct 20, 2022 we submitted our Letter of Expression of Interest to the City of Port Alberni. You can read the letter and supporting documents here. The submission was not accepted. The City has announced that it has a preferred developer but has not yet revealed who or what their plans are.

Want updates on our progress or want to join us? Sign up here

Thank you coming on September 24th! (summary)

Three Step Walkthrough of the Plan

Aha! Moment –> Restoring the City –> Developing

How do we get to this? Click the image to find out!

Dec 2021 Presentation to City Council

Starts at 53:35 in the video.

Download the Powerpoint presentation.

Participate in the OCP today!

Our main focus right now is to have this vision included in the new Port Alberni Official Community Plan. Go to www.letsconnectpa.ca and please include this idea in your suggestions.

For Salmon

For Reconciliation

For History

For Climate Change

For Economic Development

For All

Scroll through the images below to see what the finished product could look like.

What if this was the view from new housing on Tyee Landing?
What if this was the view at high tide from new housing on 3rd Avenue?
What if this was the view from Smitty’s Restaurant?

The above images are from the Nanaimo Estuary, where the City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Port Authority and Snuneymuxw First Nation worked together to restore old industrial waterfront to a natural state. Enriching both the sea, the shore, and the economy as a whole.

To quote one of our members: “the potential fish habitat value of the restored estuary is significant, in particular for juvenile Chinook and Coho which like to hang out in the protected and food-rich waters that estuaries provide. The continued existence of the breakwater also makes sense and it could be either modified or replaced to create a more natural feature.“

A Model to continue following: False Creek

Did you know that the Harbour Quay was designed by the same person that designed Granville Island? The ideas here are the same. False Creek has gone through this transformation, including natural restoration, parkland, commercial space and and a mix of affordable and market housing. That’s what can happen here.

The foundation is restoring the natural setting.

We will post more pictures, ideas and other resources in the coming weeks and months. Want updates on our progress? Sign up Here.