Hardy Falls Regional Park to temporarily close for Peachland Creek salmon habitat restoration project

Hardy Falls Regional Park will be temporarily closed from August 4 to 14, 2026, while crews undertake an important habitat restoration project in Peachland Creek, improving conditions for kokanee salmon spawning and supporting the long-term health of the watershed. 

Project preparation will occur on site from July 27 to 31, 2026. Construction activities will focus on installing new rock riffles within the creek channel to replace aging log structures that were originally installed in the 1980s to retain spawning gravels. 

Peachland Creek is one of the Okanagan Basin’s most important fish streams and the third-largest stream-spawning kokanee habitat in the region. Over time, the existing log structures have worn down and are no longer as effective at keeping spawning gravel in place, which can affect fish habitat. The new rock riffles will help protect and improve spawning areas, make the creek more resilient during high water flows and support healthy fish populations and aquatic ecosystems for years to come.

"This project represents an important investment in the health of Peachland Creek and the fish, wildlife and communities that depend on it," said Neve Carlile, Fisheries Biologist with the Okanagan Nation Alliance. "By restoring spawning habitat and improving creek function, partners are helping to ensure future generations can continue to benefit from this valuable watershed."

The project reflects ongoing Indigenous stewardship and collaboration among regional, provincial, federal and community partners. The work is being guided by syilx Traditional Ecological Knowledge alongside scientific assessments to support fish habitat, ecosystem health and cultural values.  

Visitors are asked to respect all posted closures and construction signage during the project period. Hardy Falls Regional Park and trail access are expected to reopen to the public on August 15, 2026. 

The Peachland Creek Restoration Steering Committee includes representatives from Penticton Indian Band, Westbank First Nation, Okanagan Nation Alliance, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the District of Peachland, the Regional District of Central Okanagan,  Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, University of British Columbia Okanagan and other project partners.