Wray Creek, Saanich, BC

Headwalls

The Challenge

In November 2021, intense rainfall across Vancouver Island caused multiple infrastructure issues, including the failure of a culvert along Wray Creek in Saanich, BC. In response, the District of Saanich initiated a full inspection of all culverts along the creek to assess potential risks and prevent future failures.

During this investigation, a second concern was identified at Prospect Lake Park, where a segment of the Wray Creek culvert had dropped and tilted downward, compromising structural stability and reducing flow efficiency.

Problem Identified

The downstream pipe segment had settled and tipped, creating an unstable outlet.
No headwall was present, which left the culvert unsupported and highly susceptible to damage.
Turbulence at the outlet caused ongoing bank erosion and scouring.
The location at the back of the park limited accessibility for heavy machinery.
Wray Creek is recognized as fish habitat, requiring sensitive environmental planning and fish-passage-appropriate flow conditions.

Project Objectives

Remove the failed culvert section to prevent further structural decline.
Install a durable, stable headwall to support the culvert outlet.
Reduce erosion and protect the surrounding creek banks.
Choose a structure that could be installed efficiently in a limited-access environment.
Ensure fish passage and environmental protections throughout the design.

Solution

Installation of a Fiberglass Headwall

A fiberglass headwall was selected instead of a concrete structure for several key reasons:

Lightweight construction allowed installation without large equipment — critical for a park setting with limited access.
Corrosion-resistant materials provided long-term durability in a wet environment.
Reduced environmental impact, with minimal disturbance to fish habitat and creek flow during installation.

Removal of the Failed Pipe Section

The compromised culvert segment was fully removed to eliminate ongoing erosion and prevent further displacement.

Fish Habitat Considerations

The design incorporated:

Appropriate outlet shaping to maintain natural flow patterns.
Protection for fish movement and migration.
Minimal in-stream disruption during installation.

The Results

Outcome

The new fiberglass headwall stabilized the Wray Creek culvert outlet, significantly reduced erosion, and restored safe, controlled flow conditions. The lightweight nature of the structure enabled efficient installation while maintaining environmental sensitivity. The project improved long-term creek stability and helped protect a vital fish-bearing waterway within the Saanich parks system.