Steel wall removal begins at Kus-kus-sum

The K’ómoks First Nation, the City of Courtenay, and Project Watershed are pleased to share that work will begin January 14 to remove the 400-metre steel retaining wall at Kus-kus-sum. This marks the final major construction step in restoring this former sawmill site to a fully functioning estuarine habitat.

“K’ómoks peoples have lived in villages on both sides of the estuary since time immemorial. We have harvested and managed salmon using our fish trap complex here for millennia. We look forward to the full remediation of this former mill site and the repatriation of the lands, restoring crucial Chinook habitat and our rightful relationship,” said K’ómoks First Nation Chief Nicole Rempel.

This milestone comes after five years of intensive restoration work on the 8.3-acre site, including large-scale earthworks, regrading, removal of industrial materials, construction of tidal marsh and channels, and the planting of thousands of native plants. With the land now reshaped and stabilized, crews are ready to remove the steel wall that has separated Kus-kus-sum from the Courtenay River for decades.

“Beginning the removal of the steel wall marks a historic moment for our community,” said Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells. “This step reflects years of collaboration with K’ómoks First Nation, Project Watershed, and many dedicated partners and volunteers. It shows how committed we are to restoring the K’ómoks Estuary and revitalizing a vital part of our ecosystem for wildlife and residents alike.”

Wall removal will be carried out by PPM Civil Constructors, working from a barge equipped with a large crane. Removal will begin at the south end of the site, with individual steel sheet piles loosened and lifted from the riverbed as work moves upstream. The section of the wall closest to the bridge will remain in place.

“This moment belongs to the K’ómoks First Nation, the City of Courtenay, and everyone in our community who has put their hearts, hands, and hope into Kus-kus-sum,” said Brodie Guy, Board Chair of Project Watershed. “Removing the wall is a powerful step forward and reflects a shared vision of healing the land and restoring the ecological integrity of this extraordinary estuary.”

Wall removal is more than an engineering achievement — it is the moment Kus-kus-sum can once again function in harmony with the river. Once the wall is removed, tidal waters will flow freely across the restored landscape, allowing juvenile salmon and other species to access habitat that has been unavailable for generations.

Kus-kus-sum is now transitioning from an industrial legacy to a thriving estuarine ecosystem and, ultimately, back to stewardship by the K’ómoks First Nation.

Project Timeline

The barge mobilized to the site on January 13. Wall removal is scheduled to begin January 14, with work expected to continue for approximately 6–7 weeks. Crews will work up to 10 hours per day, six days per week, to complete the work within a window that minimizes risk to fish and wildlife. Full removal is anticipated by late February, weather and funding permitting.