Landslide hazards along the Sea to Sky Highway
Field Trip leader: Andrée Blais-Stevens (GSC)
The Sea to Sky Highway (Hwy. 99), stretches 110 km through the southern Coast Mountains of British Columbia from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton. Over 18% of Canada 's total landslide-related deaths (>600) have occurred along the Sea to Sky corridor. In the last 150 years, we counted 155 landslide events reported in newspapers, technical and scientific reports. The most abundant types of landslides are debris flows (28%) and rock falls (44%) which are relatively small in volume, but are the most damaging. The highest concentration of landslide events is located in the southern part of the corridor between Horseshoe Bay and Porteau. Field trip participants will stop at several sites along the way to see how mitigative measures have improved the highway through the years, but also witness and see for themselves that there are some areas that still pose a landslide hazard. Some of the stops will be: the debris basins at Charles Creek and Lions Bay . There will be a Rock fall/slide stop at Porteau Cove along with a stop at Britannia Mine describing its history of landslide and flood hazards. With additional minor stops along the way, the day will end with a spectacular view of the Barrier at the Rubble Creek landslide. This excursion is an opportunity for participants to appreciate the scenic beauty of the Sea to Sky Corridor and understand the natural limits of a living in a mountainous setting.
