West Coast Environmental Law is leading an initiative to explore the implementation of coastal flood protection approaches that also protect and possibly enhance coastal and aquatic ecosystems. The “Living Dike” concept is aimed at minimizing the loss of coastal ecosystems while establishing flood protection for communities, as sea levels rise in a changing climate.
This document summarizes available research and experience, and provides an initial technical basis to define how this objective might be realized. The report outlines a preliminary strategy for building a Living Dike that would provide flood protection along the shoreline of Boundary Bay, BC. It also includes a high-level cost comparison of the living dike vs. conventional diking upgrade to meet projected sea level rise for 2100.