The Xget'tem' Trail in Kamloops. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

By Victor Kaisar

Xget'tem' Trail Closure

Xget’tem’ Trail temporarily closed because of ‘unforeseen challenges’ with erosion repair work

Dec 7, 2024 | 10:23 AM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops says it has had to close the Xget’tem’ Trail that connects Upper Sahali to the downtown core until Dec. 22 because of unforeseen challenges with erosion repair work.

It says the around-the-clock closure on the popular multi-use trail is needed as part of the Lower Springhill Rehabilitation Project, which began in October.

Prior to this two-week long closure, the Xget’tem’ Trail was inaccessible to all users on weekdays to allow crews to work on repairing erosion damage in the Springhill Creek corridor that was caused by a heavy downpour in 2014.

“The scope of work will include upgrading the drainage pipework that supplies the creek, armouring portions of the creek with rip-rap that slow the water flow rate and prevents future erosion, and restorative planting,” the City said, in a statement.

Image credit: City of Kamloops

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The City says Springhill Creek serves as the major drainage corridor for Upper Sahali and a significant portion of Aberdeen.

“Historic development of those neighbourhoods utilized a peak conveyance strategy to manage stormwater,” the statement said. “This has manifested in downstream erosion issues with the natural corridor.”

“A large 2014 rain event induced massive erosion with the Springhill Creek corridor in which spot repairs of the major erosion sites were completed. There are remaining sections of the channel requiring erosion protection works to support adequate conveyance of existing flows and those resulting from future development.”

The Xget’tem’ Trail within the Sahali Terrace Nature Park is scheduled to be fully open between Dec. 23 and Jan. 5, with regular weekday closures then set to return on Jan. 6.

Crews are expected to wrap up all of the rehabilitation work by May of next year.

For more on the Lower Springhill Erosion Project, go here.