Bank restoration project
Project Leader Olisaemeka Kelvin Ndubuisi
Date: 2025 – 07 – 10
After a full year of surveys and intensive fieldwork aimed at enhancing the ecological health of the Petitcodiac River, the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance is proud to announce the successful completion of the first of three planned bank restoration projects. This milestone marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to restore and stabilize the riverbanks, improve water quality, and create healthier habitats for aquatic and riparian species. With two additional restoration sites scheduled for completion in the near future, we remain committed to Restoring the watershed and strengthening its ability to withstand climate change.
The bank restoration project took approximately two weeks to complete and involved a carefully coordinated, multi-step process designed to stabilize the riverbank and promote long-term vegetation growth. The first phase began with site staking and ground preparation, followed by excavation using heavy machinery to shape and grade the bank. Once the groundwork was in place, a layer of jute matt was laid to support erosion control.
Next, Flex MSE bags were strategically positioned along the bank and backfilled with sand to provide a stable, plantable surface. The front of the bags was then seeded with native grasses and covered with straw to encourage germination and protect the soil from erosion. This full sequence—matting, bag placement, backfilling, seeding, and straw coverage—was repeated three times to ensure full coverage and stronger support to withstand erosion.
To further enhance biodiversity and stabilize the bank, native tree and shrub species were planted along the shoreline. These included Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum), and Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), all selected for their ecological value and suitability to the riparian environment. These plantings will provide long-term support for soil retention, habitat creation, and improved water quality in the Petitcodiac River.
One of our primary objectives is to create and enhance habitat for species at risk. To support this goal, we conducted pre-restoration surveys over the past year to assess the presence and population of at-risk species in the river. Now that the bank restoration is complete, we are committed to ongoing monitoring and additional surveys. This will allow us to gather statistical data on existing species, track changes in population over time, and observe whether new species begin to migrate into the restored area.
Furthermore, we recently concluded a four-day in-field and in-person training session aimed at educating the public and members of other watershed organizations on our restoration practices. The training focused on how to conduct Rapid Geomorphology Assessment Surveys (RGAs) and Rapid Stream Assessment Techniques (RSATs). The goal behind this initiative is to share knowledge and empower more individuals and organizations to participate in efforts that improve the overall health and resilience of our watershed.
Over the coming months, we’ll continue our commitment to data collection through ongoing surveys, installation of temperature loggers and bank restoration.
In addition, we’ll be hosting our Annual Online Forum and a Community of Practice refresher course for participants who attended our four-day in-person training. This follow-up will provide an opportunity to reflect on how the training supported your fieldwork and gather valuable feedback to help guide future sessions.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our funders, partners, stakeholders, and dedicated team members for their invaluable contributions in making this bank restoration project a success. Looking ahead, we will be hosting a public meeting this winter to share the data we’ve collected and engage with the community. During this session, we hope to gather additional information about eroded properties in priority areas for future restoration efforts aimed at protecting species at risk and promoting the long-term health of the Petitcodiac River.