With the conclusion of the December Special Council meeting, additional and continued flood mitigation strategies and new flood recovery supports were approved by communities impacted by the 2020 floods.

Draper

• Administration is determining the feasibility of a grant program for lot-by-lot flood mitigation solutions for properties where the underside of the main floor joists are below 251m.
• Administration will limit development below 251m and introduce enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw for development above 251m.
• More details will be shared in 2021.

Ptarmigan Court

• A voluntary buyout program will be offered until May 31, 2021, at 2020 assessed values.
• The option to raise homes to 250.9 metres will be offered until May 31, 2021.
• More details will be shared in early 2021.

Waterways

• The previously approved berm at the 1-in-200-year flood level will be built with a target completion date of October 15, 2022.
• Administration will limit development below 250.9m and introduce enhanced flood provisions in the Land Use Bylaw for development above 250.9m.

Downtown, Longboat Landing, Taiga Nova

• Previously approved berms at the 1-in-200-year flood level will be built Downtown, at Longboat Landing and at Taiga Nova.
• The berms at Taiga Nova and Longboat Landing have a target completion date of October 15, 2021, while the downtown berms have a target completion date of October 15, 2022.
• The Downtown berm will further enhance the existing 1-in-100-year flood level berm already constructed and protecting a portion of Downtown.

Backwater valve program

• A backwater valve grant program will be introduced on March 1, 2021.
• Up to $1500 will be available to complete eligible work.
• In the Flood Hazard Area, as designated by the Province of Alberta’s Flood Hazard Map, up to $3000 will be available to complete eligible work.
• More details will be shared in early 2021.

Temporary mitigation

• Temporary clay berms were built downtown, in Waterways and at Taiga Nova.
• Details about a sandbag program will be shared in early 2021.
• A public tender package for temporary flood barriers closed on December 15, 2020. The barriers will be in place prior to river breakup in 2021. More details will be shared in 2021.

Municipal infrastructure preparedness

• During the 2020 flood, three gates at the water treatment plant failed. When the water level rose, river water bypassed these gates and mixed with potable drinking water. These gates have now been repaired.
• Short-term repairs and mitigation measures coupled with longer term process, equipment and training improvements for municipal infrastructure will help to reduce flood risk in 2021 and beyond.

To view a summary of the results of the December 15, 2020 Council meeting, please visit here. The video and minutes of the meeting are available at rmwb.ca/council.