The province and the City of Calgary says that flood mitigation is on track in terms of flood recovery and mitigation.
During an information meeting on Tuesday, which was attended by Premier Dave Hancock, Minister of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Robin Campbell, and Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi, officials say that 50 flood erosion, recovery, and mitigation projects are completed or underway in the city.
“Calgary was hit hard in last June’s flooding and we need to make sure as many precautions as possible have been taken to prepare for the future. Calgarians can be assured that these projects will add a further level of protection for their communities, homes and places of business,” Premier Hancock said in a release.
Nenshi says that city crews are dealing with a number of projects aimed at addressing river erosion to provide the most protection against flooding. He added that the province will be taking care of long-term upstream flood mitigation projects.
“I look forward to working with Premier Hancock and his colleagues to identify those long-term projects that will be most effective.” Nenshi said in a release.
On Monday, the province said they would be providing $325M over the next three years for a flood resilience program. The program isn’t new funding, but a reallocation of the $600M pledge back in April.
That funding will be used on berms, dykes, and riverbank stabilization to municipalities as well as First Nations and Metis communities.
The province is also taking steps on more expansive projects including a Highwood Diversion, an off-stream storage site at Springbank, a dry dam at the confluence of McLean Creek and the Elbow River, and upgrades to a number of dams and other water management structures.
A feasibility study on a diversion tunnel in Calgary is ongoing.
