Battani Creek Disaster Still Echoes
A look back over a year of coverageThe devastating debris torrent that swept through Lions Bay on December 14, 2024 took the lives of long-time residents Barbara and David Enns, and continues to reverberate more than a year later. The Watershed has covered this story from the very beginning, and has kept readers informed of developments throughout the year. With at least two lawsuits pending and an RCMP investigation underway, there is certain to be more news in the upcoming weeks and months.Her
A Year of Remembrance
Friends lay memorial wreathOn the first anniversary of the Battani Creek landslide, a group of 13 friends and family members recently gathered together at Brunswick Beach to honour the memory of Barbara and David Enns.The tragic loss of these active Lions Bay community members on December 14, 2024 is still keenly felt by family, friends and neighbours. Earlier this year, Councillor Ron McLaughlin told Council he is interested in setting up a Memorial Park near the spot where Magnesia Creek enter
A Year Later, Still No Answers
December 14 marks anniversary of Battani Creek DisasterToday marks the one-year anniversary of the catastrophic debris torrent that cascaded through Lions Bay and across Highway 99, destroying one home and damaging several other properties, and taking the lives of David and Barbara Enns. Shortly after 10 a.m., reports came in of a massive mudslide that had torn down Battani Creek above Brunswick Beach, cascading across and fully blocking the Sea to Sky highway. In the aftermath of the event, a n
State of Local Emergency Ends
Decision made by province: CAOIn late August a banner message appeared on the Village of Lions Bay website indicating that the State of Local Emergency (SOLE) declared after the Battani Creek debris torrent in December 2024 had "not been renewed", effective August 9. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Ross Blackwell — who was appointed Director of Operations of the Lions Bay Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) — said that the decision was not made by Village staff. "The Village did not cancel the
Province Responds to Civil Action
Calls deadly landslide "Act of God"; denies responsibilityBC provincial lawyers have responded to the civil claim filed by families affected by last year's deadly landslide. A massive debris torrent cascaded down Battani Creek above Brunswick Beach on December 14, 2024, killing Barbara and David Enns when their home was swept down the mountainside. Debris shot out across Highway 99, blocking it entirely. The landslide resulted in the evacuation of a number of homes, and triggered a local state o
A Birthday Blossom
Monday hiking group remembers Barb and Dave EnnsJune 9 was the day Barbara Enns would have celebrated her 81st birthday, so the Monday Hiking Group decided to mark the occasion. The group walked along Centennial Trail and placed a potted rose and a sign near the bridge to show our continued love. The rose can later be transplanted into a Memorial Garden. This garden, at the moment, is still at the discussion stage, but we hope it will become a reality. Barb was a keen gardener, and over the year
Landslide Lessons Learned
District of Squamish staff reflect on Battani Creek disasterLess than half a year after a debris torrent and landslide swept through Lions Bay, killing two residents, displacing many more and shutting down the Sea to Sky Highway, the District of Squamish is taking stock.Though the Village of Lions Bay was severely impacted by the disaster, we are not alone. All the communities north of Brunswick Beach on the Sea to Sky were cut off by the debris that piled up across the highway, and our largest
Landslide Lawsuit Draws Response
Countersuit cites "harassment, threats"Steven Vestergaard, one of the defendants in the civil action filed by the family of the couple killed in the Battani Creek debris torrent and landslide, has responded to the suit. In a filing with the BC Supreme Court on June 5, Vestergaard denies any responsibility for the landslide that swept away the home of David and Barbara Enns on December 14 last year. The landslide resulted in the deaths of the Enns, damage to neighbouring homes, and a shut-down of
Lions Bay Responds to Civil Claim
Village lawyers deny legal obligation to maintain damaged bridgeLawyers acting on behalf of the Village of Lions Bay responded this week to the civil claim arising from the Battani Creek disaster. The family of Barbara and David Enns, who were killed when the Battani Creek debris torrent of December 14 demolished their home, filed a civil action on April 16, along with four of their neighbours. The action seeks damages from the province, the Village and local resident Steven Vestergaard, suggest
Landslide Fallout Continues
Civil action filed in BC CourtThe Village of Lions Bay has been named as a plaintiff in a civil action related to last December’s deadly Battani Creek landslide.Other plaintiffs identified in the action filed last week in BC Supreme Court are the province of British Columbia and Steven Vestergaard, the owner of the property located above the landslide area on which a water reservoir had been built. The suit was filed on behalf of Michael Enns and Jody Dyer, the children of Barbara and David Enns
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