First phase of Nakusp marina and breakwater repairs complete

In mid-July, 300 feet of the Nakusp marina’s west breakwater was replaced, the first phase of a larger project to improve this structure that protects the marina and boat ramp.  The work was finished on budget and on schedule, with funding from the Village of Nakusp ($200,000), BC Hydro ($100,000) and the Province’s Columbia River Treaty Branch ($30,000).

BC Hydro built the marina and breakwater in the early 1980s and later sold it to the Village for one dollar.  It was intended to last 25 years and, 38 years later, had fallen into considerable disrepair.  In 2013, BC Hydro gave the Village a $100,000 grant to refurbish the breakwater; however, the cost of the work proved more expensive than expected, so the refurbishment wasn’t done at that time.

The B.C. Treaty Team’s support for the project comes as a result of its efforts to address Columbia Basin community concerns related to the Columbia River Treaty.  Although Canada and the U.S. are currently engaged in discussions about modernizing the Treaty, some local concerns related to the Treaty can be addressed outside of this process.  Following a discussion about the Nakusp marina and breakwater during a community meeting the Province hosted in Nakusp in 2019, and a meeting with Mayor Zeleznik and Village staff the next morning, the Province explored various avenues of potential support for the project.  In March 2020, provincial funding was allocated to the Village of Nakusp to undertake an engineering assessment and preliminary work for their proposed west breakwater replacement project.

Mayor Zeleznik and the community are pleased with this first step, seeing the breakwater receive much needed attention after so many years.

The Village of Nakusp is currently seeking funding for the next phase of the project, which would involve repairing another 300 to 400 feet of the west breakwater, replacement of the north breakwater and repairs to the marina facility.