Preparation for future flooding in Sundre got a boost last week through a public information session and provincial approval to construct a mitigation berm along the Red Deer River.
Preparation for future flooding in Sundre got a boost last week through a public information session and provincial approval to construct a mitigation berm along the Red Deer River.
During an information session held March 11 at the legion, provincial officials confirmed approval of a joint Mountain View County and Town of Sundre proposal to build a 3.9-kilometre berm for management of the Red Deer River upstream from and in the town of Sundre.
The province said it will commit $3,132,500 to the project.
Sundre mayor Terry Leslie is pleased with the approval of the berm and says the next step is "making the berm better".
"The next step is to look at land acquisition, tendering, all of those kinds of things. That berm won’t be constructed – it’s March – it won’t be done by June. 2015, yes," said Leslie.
"Instead of just building a berm, maybe it’s a berm with access to trails and parks and to enhance tourism in the area."
Officials applied for a $3.4-million provincial grant to build a 3.9-kilometre-long berm, in a joint application with the county. Roughly $3.1 million was approved.
"One of the things that the environment minister and the municipal affairs minister spoke about was not wanting to rush to failure. So now that we’ve had that berm application, now is the time for us to say 'what can we do to make sure it’s done right’," he said.
"We will draw people to the area to enjoy the river. It floods not that often. So most of the time it’s a wonderful tourist draw. So we want to look at that as the next step."
He believes town officials are prepared for future flooding.
"When the town prepared for the flood of last year it went off very smoothly. The town and the county emergency preparedness plan kicked in and it worked," he said.
"In terms of being prepared for the next one we’re just better at it."
The province declared a spring runoff advisory on March 10 due to rising temperatures across the province. Temperatures in Sundre were above 10 degrees Celsius last week.
"The generally cool spring conditions combined with the heavy snowfalls across the plains during the winter months has resulted in a plains snowpack that is much above average in the central, southern, and Peace regions of the province, that has not had the opportunity to melt gradually," states the advisory.
"A rapid melt caused by the quick change to normal and above normal temperatures combined with the existing much above average snowpack in the plains may cause localized overland flooding as the water makes its way into streams."
No significant water level rises are expected in the major rivers, according to the advisory.
According to provincial officials, floods are the most frequent natural hazards in Canada and the most costly for property damage. Flooding can occur at any time of year and is usually caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snow melting, ice jams or the failure of a natural or human-made dam.
The 2013 floods across southern Alberta affected 100,000 Albertans in 30 communities. Rebuilding costs are estimated to exceed $6 billion. Thirty-two governments declared local states of emergency and the province declared its first-ever state of provincial emergency.
There are seven elements to guide the province’s approach to flood mitigation, including watershed management, flood modelling and warning systems, risk management policies, water management and mitigation infrastructure, erosion control, local initiatives and individual initiatives.
Sundre was one of several communities chosen to be a host site for a flood information session.
Six booths were set up at the legion with representatives from Environment and Sustainable Resources, the flood recovery task force, emergency management as well as Alberta Health Services. County and town officials also had booths set up.
Provincial officials were advising residents on how to prepare for future flooding. They said people should know what to do before, during and after a flood, and make a family emergency plan as well as an emergency kit.
Sundre resident Tom Mennear said he was "disappointed" with the format of the information session.
"To have a good turnout like we did here and not have a question-and-answer period where we can kind of nail some of these government bureaucrats and say 'what is happening’," said Mennear.
"Nothing has really happened since 2005. Meetings after meetings after meetings and studies after studies after studies.
"It does look like maybe we’re gaining a little bit, but we’re running nervous with spring."
There are things he would like to see done to the Red Deer River, including dredging.
"I’d like to see – as soon as the snow melts a little bit – is get in there and move some of the debris from the river. We’re not going to upset the channels or anything, just move these trees and get them to the banks to help the erosion on the banks," he explained.
"We can start at that."
