1st Street South and 15th Avenue South Project

The 1st Street South and 15th Avenue South (1st & 15th site) Project in Cranbrook aimed to address recurring flooding and severe encroachment by non-native Golden Willow along a 350-meter section of Joseph Creek. The project involved channel reconstruction and rehabilitation, expanding the floodplain, and replacing invasive species with native trees and shrubs. This approach is intended to reduce flooding risks and improve fish habitat in the area. The project received approval from various governmental authorities and was implemented with careful monitoring to minimize environmental impacts. It has since resulted in a flood-free area.

Unfortunately, the project faced significant challenges, including nearly 100% mortality of the live stakes due to deer browsing and rubbing, drought, as well as the dense clay soil that hindered plant establishment and growth. To address these issues, our team experimented with rooted stock of native willow species and red osier dogwood, which were harvested locally and nurtured before being planted in a small, fenced trial plot during the fall of 2024. The established root structure and protective fencing enhanced survival rates by nearly 100%. With such a successful trial, in 2025 we grew 150 rooted native species and planted them in a fenced 160m2 plot in the floodplain. Upper dryland areas of the site were planted with larger shrubs and trees as well as Forbes and native grasses supplied by Nupqu Native plant nursery.

Follow the links for more videos, details, timelines and ongoing efforts.