In plain sight
Looking out over the waterfront while strolling along the boardwalk of Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, you may see a small island across the way which is home to many different plants and wildlife. In plain sight are trees, grassy lands, and a few eagle nests. Sometimes at night you can hear the howling of the coyotes that reside there.
This is Shady Island, which stretches about a mile and a half along the Steveston waterfront, at the mouth of the Fraser River. This piece of land wasn’t always a thriving ecosystem; many years ago, it was nothing more than a sandbar which was barely visible at low tide. In the 1920’s, this sandbar served as a barrier that diverted some of the river water away from the shore. This allowed for easier passage, moorage for fishing boats, and a place to build canneries along the water.
An artificial island
Over the years as marine traffic increased, regular dredging of the channel was needed to make way for larger vessels traveling further up the Fraser River. Sand from the dredging was dumped onto the sandbar that became Shady Island. In addition, to keep the channels clear, a rock dam, two wing dams, and a breakwater was built. This resulted in increased silt build up to form the island.
A natural home to many
Over the years, nature took its course and soon plant and animal life emerged. Shady Island is now home to over 100 species of plants and 60 species of birds. Compare the two images of Shady Island below; the difference is stark.
Shady Island today
Shady Island today reminds us of how nature can turn a pile of sand into a thriving ecosystem. It is a reminder of the incredible natural wonder that surrounds the Britannia Shipyards waterfront, on the Fraser River Estuary. Next time you visit, we encourage you to take in the sights and sounds of the natural environment and see what you can discover when looking out across the water.
References:
- Shady Island – Man-Made by Nature, the Richmond Archives
- The Discoverer’s Guide: The Fraser River Delta, Exploring the Living River Don Watmough
- Natural History in Richmond: Shady Island, A. Cairns
