Tetra Tech Canada Honored for Innovative Creek Stabilization Project in North Vancouver

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Tetra Tech Canada has received an award of merit from ACEC-BC for its rapid response to stabilize Thain Creek in North Vancouver, ensuring public safety and ecological restoration after severe flooding.

Tetra Tech Canada has been recognized with an award of merit in the natural resource and habitat category at the 2026 Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia (ACEC-BC) awards for engineering excellence. This accolade was awarded for their prompt and effective stabilization of Thain Creek in North Vancouver, where severe erosion posed a threat to the foundations of nearby residential buildings. David Moschini, Tetra Tech Canada’s manager of water resources and infrastructure, expressed pride in the achievement during the awards ceremony held on May 8 at the Vancouver Playhouse, attended by around 420 guests.
The impetus for the stabilization project stemmed from the atmospheric river event in October 2024, which resulted in extensive rainfall across southwestern British Columbia. This weather event led to significant erosion along the banks of Thain Creek, endangering the nearby Cypress Gardens condo complex, with the creek banks eroding to within six meters of the building's foundation, creating a critical public safety hazard. The erosion also caused substantial channel erosion, jeopardizing the aquatic life in the creek by reducing water flow beneath the surface layer.
In response to the urgent situation, Tetra Tech deployed its hydrotechnical, geotechnical, and environmental engineering expertise to stabilize the creek banks and restore the surrounding ecosystem. The project was expedited, with design, tendering, permitting, and construction phases completed within a tight timeframe of just 10 months. Moschini credited the swift completion to the collaborative efforts of Tetra Tech’s environmental team and the City of North Vancouver.
To address the erosion effectively, Tetra Tech raised the creek bed by up to four meters, facilitating the creation of a stepped series of pools and riffles that not only improved fish passage but also enhanced the overall habitat quality. Moschini highlighted the innovative approach taken by the team, which involved stabilizing both sides of the creek rather than focusing solely on one side.
The construction included a vegetated revetment system designed to prevent further erosion, which combined riprap armoring with riparian planting. Additionally, large woody debris and boulder clusters were introduced to increase channel complexity and support aquatic habitat diversity. To ensure the long-term stability of the project and prevent subsurface seepage, non-woven geotextiles, bentonite, and fine sands and gravels were utilized.
The outcome of the project not only addressed immediate public safety concerns but also restored ecological functions, as barriers to fish swimming were removed, and habitat connectivity was enhanced. Moschini noted the importance of integrated engineering and environmental planning, which was executed on an emergency timeline, stating, "The solution is permanent. There aren’t going be any more problems with the banks of Thain Creek.”
Reflecting on the rapid timeline, Moschini emphasized the prudence of the decision to accelerate the project, especially given the severe storms experienced during the fall and winter seasons that could have led to additional slope failures. He also pointed out the uniqueness of each creek restoration project, which requires tailored solutions based on site-specific challenges, including channel geometry and ecological requirements.
Moschini also offered insights on proactive measures municipalities could take to prepare for similar emergencies in the future, such as pre-qualifying contractors to expedite response times during storm events and assessing existing infrastructure to prioritize necessary upgrades. The recognition of Tetra Tech at the ACEC-BC awards highlights not only the company's commitment to engineering excellence but also the critical intersection of public safety and environmental stewardship in civil engineering projects.

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