The McKenney Creek Restoration and Enhancement Plan is a long-term framework to protect and enhance an important natural asset while supporting responsible growth and infrastructure planning within the McKenney Creek watershed.
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Description
McKenney Creek flows through a 500-hectare catchment extending north from the Lougheed Transit Corridor area through downstream agricultural lands to the South Alouette River. Although past urban and agricultural development has impacted the creek, it remains an important environmental corridor with strong potential for restoration and long-term resilience.
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Status
The McKenney Creek Restoration and Enhancement Plan is complete and was presented to Council in July 2026. Council directed staff to proceed with phased implementation of the plan, subject to future business planning, budget, and project approval processes.
The plan provides a long-term framework to guide future creek restoration; enhancement; monitoring; technical studies; stewardship; and stormwater, drainage, and infrastructure planning. The plan does not approve specific construction projects nor create automatic new requirements for projects in the vicinity.
Implementation of the plan will be phased and will depend on funding, land access, technical review, staff capacity, partnerships, regulatory requirements, development activity, and future Council or budget approvals where applicable.
Short-term activities arising from the plan may include internal coordination, stream restoration concept planning, invasive species management, water quality and hydrometric monitoring, baseline data collection, landowner and interest-holder conversations, and further technical studies to support future restoration, drainage, and flood mitigation decisions.
The long-term vision is to restore McKenney Creek as a healthier, more resilient urban watershed that can support a self-sustaining salmon population over time.
The plan is intended to guide long-term restoration, enhancement, and infrastructure planning for the McKenney Creek corridor by supporting:
Flood and climate resilience
Improved water quality
Healthier riparian, wetland, floodplain, and stream function
Improved habitat connectivity and ecological resilience
Community awareness, education, and stewardship
Future implementation through monitoring and adaptive management
Engagement during development of the plan included:
Input from City staff
Meetings with the Climate and Environment Advisory Committee and the Alouette River Management Society
Engagement at public open houses for the Lougheed Transit Corridor Area Plan and Biodiversity Framework
Thank you to everyone who participated in the open houses and shared input during development of the plan.
Public engagement indicated limited public awareness of McKenney Creek, including its location, visibility, signage, and points of access. However, feedback from long-term residents highlighted the creek’s historical importance to the community. The plan identifies opportunities for ongoing stewardship, education, and partnership, including collaboration with stewardship organizations, local groups, and First Nations.
Future engagement will occur as specific implementation actions, technical studies, restoration opportunities, or partnership projects are developed.
The project manager is Yvonne Wai. You can contact her at 604-467-7359 or YWai@MapleRidge.ca.
