Flood Recovery Updates
The next phase of flood recovery is well underway at Cultus Lake Park, as crews begin removal of damaged docks in the foreshore (Cultus Lake Park Dock Removal Map).
Beginning at Main Beach, a barge was constructed to float an excavator to the sections of docks throughout the lake that are scheduled for removal. Work will progress over the course of the next two weeks to ensure all damaged docks are removed safely in advance of the summer season.
The public may continue to enjoy Main Beach gazebos, playground, and grassy areas while the work commences. For public safety, staff request that residents and visitors to the park refrain from accessing the lake in these areas until the work has been completed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the park office at 604-858-3334 or email [email protected].
NOTICE OF INTENT – Dock Removal
TO: Residents of Cultus Lake
FROM: Joe Lamb, Chief Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Dock Removal
The damaged docks within the Cultus Lake foreshore that are currently closed will be removed starting May 18, 2022. Information regarding this project will be distributed at the May 18, 2022 Cultus Lake Park Board Regular Meeting.
Cultus Lake Park is thrilled to announce the official reopening of our Community Hall!
The hall was devastated by the November 2021 flooding events, as Sweltzer Creek jumped its banks causing high water levels to rush towards the building. Following weeks of continuous water flow, staff was able to access the building to view the damage. Silt and water covered the floor and saturated the bottom three feet of drywall throughout the entire space.
After four months, staff are finally ready to welcome back the community to book the hall for your upcoming special events!
The Ministry of Transportation will be on site Friday, March 25, 2022, weather permitting, to begin temporary road surface repairs along Columbia Valley Highway following the damages sustained during the 2021 flooding events.
Traffic control and paving contractors will be stationed at various locations including Parmenter Road and Lakeshore Drive to assist in guiding residents and guests safely through the area while work is being completed.
Four months after the devastating flooding events of November 2021, Cultus Lake Park is thrilled to announce the completion of debris removal at Sunnyside Campground!
Throughout November and December, Public Works staff and contracted crews worked extensive hours removing debris from the lake onto the foreshore. In the following months, the debris was relocated to the east end of the campground where it would be ground and transported to a local agricultural operation. In the recent months, work has been done to sift smaller fragments of debris from the beaches and rebuild sections of campsites in preparation for the 2022 camping season.
In addition to the recovery work, staff and crews have been hard at work completing upgrades to various facilities and infrastructure throughout the campground. More details on these exciting updates will be communicated soon!
On behalf of the Cultus Lake Park Board and staff, we wish to extend gratitude and appreciation for the immense amount of hard work and diligence displayed by everyone involved in the recovery!
Inspectors were on site completing insurance assessments with the approved use of drones on the week of February 28, 2022.
Drones were flown along the foreshore including the west side of the lake to allow for detailed measurements and inspection of all Cultus Lake Park docks. The comprehensive report will be provided to staff at the end of the month for review and planning of next steps.
A reminder that all docks and wharves throughout the park are closed until further notice.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation at this time. If you have any questions, please contact the park office at 604-858-3334 or email [email protected].
Cultus Lake Park is continuing progress into the next phase of recovery at Sunnyside Campground following the November 14th, 2021 flooding events.
In early January, large debris was grinded and removed from the campground leaving behind a significant amount of smaller fragments of wood along the beach. On Monday, March 7, 2022 contracted crews continued sifting debris from the sand along the foreshore at the west end of the campground.
Work will progress through March to prepare the remainder of the foreshore for the upcoming 2022 camping season.
If you are visiting the campground, please use caution in this area as staff and crews continue to recover for our residents and guests. A friendly reminder that all docks and wharves remain closed to the public until further notice.
Should you have any questions, please contact the park office at 604-858-3334 or email [email protected].
A reminder that all Cultus Lake Park docks and wharves remain closed for public safety due to the damages sustained following the flooding events late fall. Residents and guests should continue to avoid accessing the docks until the appropriate safety and structural assessments can be completed and actioned.
Cultus Lake Park has completed the first phase of recovery at Sunnyside Campground following the November 14, 2021 flooding events. The significant amount of logs and debris that collected along the foreshore were relocated to the east end of the campground at the beginning of January. Over the following weeks, the debris was grinded down and removed to be utilized for hog fuel locally. In addition, larger material and logs with root balls were removed for off-site riparian restoration and fish habitat enhancement.
On behalf of the Cultus Lake Park Board and staff, we wish to thank all of the individuals and crews that contributed countless hours to complete this work.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we recover Cultus Lake Park back to its original beauty.
The Cultus Lake Park Community Hall sustained damages following the November 14, 2021 flooding events. Due to the significant amount of water that entered the building over the course of a three-week period, the community hall was closed to the public to ensure proper safety inspections could be completed.
It was determined that the structure of the building was secure, however the interior would require appropriate restoration. Large sections of drywall have been removed and replaced, along with full replacement of all flooring required throughout the hall.
Cultus Lake Park anticipates that the community hall will be reopened to the public in early spring 2022. We look forward to welcoming you back to begin hosting community events in the near future. January 31, 2022.
A Message from the Chief Administrative Officer
On behalf of the Cultus Lake Park Board, we would like to thank everyone who is diligently working in these extreme weather conditions to keep our community safe.
Cultus Lake Park staff, Fraser Valley Regional District, Ministry of Transportation and The City of Chilliwack worked around the clock for the last two days to assess areas of extreme danger and damage, clear roads and culverts of mud and debris and keeping our community informed.
We would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to Soowahlie First Nations Band for allowing members of the community and surrounding area emergency access through their lands.
We are grateful for the Cultus Lake Volunteer Fire Department, all First Responders, volunteers and members of the community that dedicated time and resources to keeping the community safe over the last couple days.
Thank you to the Cultus Lake Park community for your patience and cooperation as we begin the journey to restore our community and surrounding area.
Sincerely,
Joe Lamb
Chief Administrative Officer
