Canada Helps Protect Three Alberta Communities from Flood Risks

CANMORE, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Oct. 13, 2016) - Infrastructure Canada

All Canadians deserve to live in communities that are safe and protected from natural hazards and events. After the southern Alberta floods in June 2013 caused widespread economic and social damage in the region, the governments of Canada and Alberta are making investments to address flood risks. These projects will help build and protect the safe and thriving communities we want for our children, grand-children and great-grand-children.

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Cameron Westhead, MLA for Banff-Cochrane; John Borrowman, Mayor of the Town of Canmore; Liz Breakey, Bragg Creek area Councillor for Rocky View County; and George Bohne, Mayor of the Town of Raymond, were in Canmore today to announce new federal funding for three disaster mitigation projects.

The Government of Canada will be contributing a total of over $20.5 million for these projects. In Canmore, funding will go towards a dam to help protect against flood damage. In the nearby Hamlet of Bragg Creek, the funds will be used to guard against future flood damage and control erosion. In the Town of Raymond, it will go towards a stormwater diversion project. These three projects will help to protect more than 180 local businesses and thousands of residents, as well as encourage future growth and business investments in the area.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to building safer and more resilient communities, which is critical for attracting economic opportunities for the middle class and those trying to join it. Strategic investments in effective disaster mitigation projects like these reduce the frequency and severity of impacts, and protect our communities and public infrastructure from extreme natural events."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Like many communities in southern Alberta, the risk of flooding in Canmore, Bragg Creek, and Raymond is a threat to public safety and a potential disruption to the local economy. I am pleased to see this additional investment in flood resiliency to build on the provincial funding that is already in place. Flood mitigation projects such as these help our communities adapt to a changing climate where extreme weather events will be more common."

The Honourable Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks, Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office

"Both Bragg Creek and Canmore were heavily impacted during the 2013 floods. Effectively mitigating the risk of flooding is a top priority for residents and business owners in these communities. With both provincial and federal funding now in place, both of these important projects are now one step closer to being in place to protect both people and property."

Cameron Westhead, MLA for Banff-Cochrane

"The Town of Canmore is pleased to hear that the Federal Government will be contributing funding towards the Cougar Creek Long Term Mitigation project. The proposed debris retention structure will protect thousands of residents and critical infrastructure during a flood event. It is a large and expensive undertaking and this funding brings it one step closer to being a reality. I would like to thank Minister Sohi and the Government of Canada for their commitment to this project."

John Borrowman, Mayor, Town of Canmore

"Recovering from the disastrous flooding of 2013 has been a difficult journey for the hamlet of Bragg Creek. Compounding that difficulty has been the concern that a similar event could happen again. Through this funding, the Government of Canada is helping us pay for infrastructure to prevent future flooding. But what we're really buying is the peace of mind that Bragg Creek has a bright and viable future. That confidence in the future is the true legacy of the New Building Canada Fund."

Liz Breakey, Bragg Creek area Councillor for Rocky View County

"This stormwater management project provides our community and region with critical severe weather infrastructure. This mitigating infrastructure will significantly improve public health and safety during extreme weather events. It protects residential property, critical provincial and municipal infrastructure. We feel it a major step towards our resiliency."

George Bohne, Mayor of Raymond

Related product

Backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1137009

Associated links

Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/pt-sp/ptt-tsp-eng.html

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html

Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP): http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html

Alberta Community Resilience Program: http://aep.alberta.ca/water/programs-and-services/alberta-community-resilience-program/default.aspx

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada

Backgrounder

Canada helps protect three Alberta communities from flood risks

Projects in Canmore, Bragg Creek and Raymond

All three projects announced today were approved under the Disaster Mitigation Infrastructure category of the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects.

Cougar Creek Long Term Flood Mitigation Project in Canmore

In Canmore, a number of studies conducted under the Mountain Creek Hazard Mitigation Program have helped the community to select and design the best approaches to mitigate local debris flooding. The Town of Canmore intends to construct a 100-metre-wide debris dam across Cougar Creek, a steep mountain creek, which discharges into the Bow River. In a flood event, the proposed dam will protect thousands of residents and more than 100 businesses - one-third of Canmore's business community - from water and debris. This project will also help to reduce flood risks along the Trans-Canada Highway and keep evacuation routes clear in the event of severe storms.

The Government of Canada will provide up to $14,447,565 for this project. The Province of Alberta has already contributed $20,350,000 and the Town of Canmore will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project, which has a total estimated cost of $48,240,500. However, additional funding may be available through the Alberta Community Resilience Program. An Environmental Impact Assessment for the Cougar Creek project is currently under review. The provincial Natural Resources Conservation Board is required to make a decision that the project is in the public interest before it can proceed.

Flood Mitigation Project in the Hamlet of Bragg Creek

The Hamlet of Bragg Creek in Rocky View County was particularly devastated by the 2013 floods. Based on the recommendations of a flood mitigation report developed for the Southern Alberta Flood Recovery Taskforce, an earthen dyke will be constructed adjacent to the Elbow River. This will guard against future flood damage, control erosion, and accommodate future maintenance activities. The project will protect approximately 450 residents and 80 local businesses in the Hamlet, as well as encourage development and business activity in the area.

The Government of Canada will provide up to $5,589,441 for this project, and the Province of Alberta will provide the balance of the funding up to the current total estimated cost of $32,870,000. Rocky View County would be responsible for any cost overruns beyond the current estimated total project costs.

South Drainage Diversion Project in Raymond

Based on recommendations from the Town of Raymond's Flood Mitigation Plan, a critical drainage project will allow the Town to divert overland run-off into Corner Lake and then into upgraded retention ponds in the Town's golf course. This project will re-route stormwater currently overloading the Town's infrastructure and areas north of Raymond to minimal risk areas and allow storm water to be discharged in a controlled manner downstream. Over 100 homes and several local businesses, medical facilities and community infrastructure will be protected from potential damage. It will also help protect the agricultural crops surrounding Raymond, which are at risk of flooding.

The Government of Canada will provide up to $545,343 for this project. The Province of Alberta will contribute $927,957 through the Alberta Community Resilience Program. The Town of Raymond will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project, which has a total estimated cost of $1,636,196.