At Lions Bay, British Columbia there is a large debris flow dam. Because of the steep slopes of the Howe Sound Fjord coupled with high human activity, there is a high risk for debris flows to occur, which can be dangerous and potentially fatal. In 1983 there was a large debris flow on Alberta Creek in Lions Bay, taking out multiple houses and with a few people losing their lives. In response, they built a large debris flow dam and containment structure, including a concrete flume that carries the stream and sediment directly into the sound.

Evans, S.G. & Savigny, K.W.(1994). Landslides in the Vancouver-Fraser Valley-Whistler region. Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 481. p. 251-286.

The steep sides of the Howe Sound are subject to massive failures that can cripple the Sea to Sky highway infrastructure. On July 29th, 2008, a shear of rock near Porteau Cove failed, barely missing a bus full of passengers. Luckily no one was hurt, but this is an example of the dangers of the steep rocky cliffs along the highway.

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A view of the Porteau Bluff failure

There has been a small landslide on a hill on the Furry Creek Golf Course. There is a small landslide retainment structure at the bottom of the slope and a golf maintenance building just next to the bottom of the slide. Access is off-limits to non-golfers.

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View of landslide from the bottom

Closeup of the crown

View from the bottom with small containment structure protecting rich golfers

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A bedrock waterfall over 300 meters tall. Easy access off the highway with parking and a beautiful place to have lunch and enjoy the waterfall.

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Shannon Falls

This outcrop of rock was polished by the immense glaciers during the last glaciation of the region around 15000 years ago.

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Large outcrop of glacially polished rock

Closer view of the outcrop with car for scale

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Up a quarry road is a good example of columnar basalt. Many have toppled to the slope below, but there is still a clear example of basaltic columns on the side of the hill.

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Large wall of columnar basalt

Closeup of basalt

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Drainage Area 52
49.68976 N
123.144722 W
1990-2010 QRC
REG 1990

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Drainage Area 378
49.731123 N
123.143606 W
1960-1967 HMC
NAT

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Drainage Area 2330
49.794446 N
123.199986 W
1922 - 1926
1955 - 1980
1981 - 1982
1983 - 2010

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Latitude: 49°35'02" N
Longitude: 123°13'25" W
Elevation: 9.00m asl
Climate ID: 1041050
Environment Canada Site for Station

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Latitude: 49°42' N
Longitude: 123°08' W
Elevation:31.10m asl
Climate ID: 1047660
Environment Canada Site for Station

Not Available