Lennox Island Wharf Expansion

Lennox Island First Nation is a Mi’kmaq community of over 400 people located along the northern coast of Prince Edward Island, in Malpeque Bay between the mainland near Green Park Provincial Park and the Pituamkek National Park Reserve. The community has a long history of traditional and commercial fishing operations, which is the primary economic driver of the community.

Location

Lennox Island, PEI, Canada

Project status

Complete

Proponent

Lennox Island First Nations

The need for expansion, protection

Around 2010, public officials identified the need for strengthened and expanded infrastructure at the wharf. An increase in fishing activity through the community, and a lack of spots to properly dock boats, was forcing some fishers to look to neighbouring communities. In 2016, the First Nation began its operation of the Bideford Shellfish Hatchery, the only Aboriginal-owned and operated oyster seed facility in Atlantic Canada, heightening the demand for better infrastructure supports for fishing operations.

The arrival of Hurricane Fiona in September 2022 exacerbated the need to improve the infrastructure, as severe winds and heavy rainfall damaged the wharf, with 50% of its capacity knocked out. A few months later, the tender for the upgrades was released.

Our involvement

WSP was hired at the beginning of the project development process, coming on board in 2020. Our company was hired to provide topographic surveys, environmental studies, coastal engineering studies, harbour layout, structural design and contract administration services for the project.

Designing a new solution

An assessment by the First Nation identified that the community required additional capacity totaling 27 fishing boats. The community also had to haul their boats to other Small Craft Harbours in the area to launch and haul in their boats during the fishing season.

A new concrete slipway provides the users a launch site on Lennox Island for their fleet and other commercial uses. The harbour facility was designed and constructed using several construction solutions to account for varying geotechnical characteristics on site.

The quality of overburden material and bedrock elevations varied significantly throughout the site which resulted in the need to use a variety of Berlin Wall and steel piled structures. Significant dredging was required on site which required the construction of containment cells that were used in the final site layout for the facility. Various DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) compensation projects were reviewed, and it was determined that a habitat enhancement project provided the best value for the Lennox Island First Nation and tied in with their goal of growing and expanding their fishing industry.

Following more than a decade of discussion, the design of the Lennox Island Wharf Expansion was created to allow for greater accessibility for commercial and traditional operations, while also improving its overall climate resilience.

Wade Enman Manager of Infrastructure, PEI, WSP in Canada

Wade Enman Manager of Infrastructure, PEI, WSP in Canada

Mitigating future impacts

A coastal modelling study optimized the wharf location and configuration to minimize siltation and future dredging requirements. Structural components such as steel piles were increased in size and thickness to mitigate effects of steel corrosion, particularly in the splash zone. Two containment cells were developed as part of the facility to reuse dredge material and incorporate it into the overall footprint of the facility.

A future ready wharf

The new wharf facility provides the Lennox Island community with a new, local facility that can handle all of their current and future needs. Previously, local commercial fishers needed to use other local Small Craft Harbours, some which were a significant distance from Lennox Island. Other upgrades including new electrical services, water services, winch cranes and allowances for future EV charging provides the users all of the means necessary to be an efficient and profitable industry. The facility also has the potential to open up future opportunities for the First Nation including tours, tourism etc.

Indigenous community engagement

Partnering with the Indigenous community facilitated the evaluation and provision of 27 additional docking spaces.

Designed to reduce future maintenance

Using coastal modelling technology, the wharf was designed in a way that will minimize the need for future dredging operations.

Creating a future ready wharf

The wharf layout and configuration considered various climate change factors including the effects of sea level rise. Additional upgrades like those made to the electrical system will allow for the future installation of EV charging stations.