City unveils Floodplain Mapping, Planning & Restoration Opportunities

Posted On: November 08, 2019

The City of Grand Forks invites residents to a meeting November 18th from 5-8pm at the Secondary School Auditorium to learn about floodplain mapping, planning, and restoration opportunities that will improve public safety and enhance community sustainability efforts.

Planned to support the City’s recently launched Recovery to RESILIENCE project, the meeting will showcase information from a Flood Hazard Study conducted by Urban Systems starting well before record-setting flooding of the Kettle and Granby Rivers devastated the North Ruckle, South Ruckle, and Johnson Flats neighbourhoods.

“The new floodplain maps clearly show potential areas for future flooding,” explains Strategic Initiatives & Flood Recovery Manager Graham Watt. “This will help us inform residents about flood hazards and support emergency planners in the development of appropriate responses to major and minor flooding.”

The maps will also inform development of a new City floodplain bylaw this winter that will be used by homeowners, developers, and City staff help prevent flood damage to structures, living spaces, and/or vulnerable infrastructure. The bylaw will regulate foundation heights and setbacks from water bodies for new construction or redevelopment.

“This new information will also support next year’s updates to the City’s Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw,” says Watt. “Any amendments will help protect future development and occupants from flood and erosion hazards, safeguard floodplains and riparian areas as natural assets, and prevent needless losses in future flood events.”

The City will have these maps available for viewing at City Hall and the new Resilience Centre at 7261 Riverside Drive.

For more information about the campaign or recovery efforts, contact Graham Watt at:

gwatt@grandforks.ca or 250-442-4159.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The City of Grand Forks is undertaking a $55-million multi-year recovery project in response to catastrophic flooding of the Kettle, West Kettle, and Granby Rivers in May 2018. This record-breaking event caused many millions in damage to natural assets, community infrastructure, and privately-owned properties and dwellings in the North Ruckle, South Ruckle, Johnson Flats, and downtown areas. The Flood Hazard Study represents a portion of the research conducted to help inform long-term planning and will guide changes to the Official Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw, and overall land-use strategy. The Floodplain Mapping, Planning & Restoration Opportunities meeting is a part of the City’s Recovery to RESILIENCE campaign, which has been established to:

Help affected property owners find and relocate to replacement homes in 2019-2021;
Optimize communication and collaboration among key stakeholders during floodplain restoration and infrastructure upgrades from 2020-2023; and
Foster the community healing needed for unity and prosperity into the future.

Download this November 08, 2019 Media Release