Oona River Dredging

The proposed Project involves mechanical dredging of the harbour basin, materials placement in the intertidal, and salt marsh bench and riparian buffer creation at the Oona River Harbour in Oona River, BC.

Details include the following:

  • Temporary removal of harbour infrastructure, including floats and an estimated six ~18" (45 cm) diameter steel piles by vibratory hammer as required for access to complete dredging activities.  If removal and replacement of piles is required, extracted piles will be reinstalled in the same locations upon completion of dredging (or replaced as needed in the same footprint).
  • Dredging of approximately 8,890 m3 of mud sediment from an intertidal area of 4,420 m2 in the Oona River harbour basin. Dredgeate will be temporarily stored on a materials barge staged in the water-lot.
  • Creation of a rock platform in the intertidal area to facilitate access for placement of the dredged material from the barge to the shore. The platform will be constructed using a barge-mounted excavator or front-end loader.
  • Dredged sediment placement to desired elevation of approximately 9m chart datum(consisting of rock berm construction, geotextile placement, and dredgeate placement in three lifts, with rock crush capping the final lift).

 

The proposed placement area for the dredged material is between the existing rip rap breakwater and the timber pile approach trestle. The maximum distance that sediment would be moved at the Site is approximately 190 m. Approximately 11,425 m3 of rock will be placed in total as part of the platform and berm construction.

 

Project activities will be completed from existing infrastructure, barge-mounted equipment located in the harbour, or the constructed rock platform.

 

The proposed works below the high-water mark are planned to commence just prior to the least-risk fisheries window for the region (Area 4 – Lower Skeena, November 30 - February 15). In-water activities are expected to be completed within the least risk window.  Full project completion is anticipated by March 31, 2027.

More

Latest update

February 1, 2026 - The public comment period on the project and its potential for causing adverse effects is closed.  The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is considering comments received to inform its determination on whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Contacts

Small Craft Harbours
David Black, Project Engineer
200-401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3S4
Telephone: 604-366-2751
Email: david.black@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Oona River (British Columbia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Ports and Harbours

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-01-01

  • Proponent

    Small Craft Harbours Pacific Region

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90125

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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