A comprehensive flood hazard study will assess river flows and flood risks in over 50 kilometres of the Red Deer River, providing Drumheller with valuable information for emergency response and long-term planning.
The study is part of the province’s Flood Hazard Identification Program to enhance public safety and reduce future flood damages and covers 30 communities and 1,300 kilometres of river across the province.
Project manager Peter Bezeau of Alberta Environment and Parks says the study is in part a response to the significant flooding across the province in 2013.
“The first step in having a good risk management approach to flooding is to have a good understanding of the hazards, like what types of floods and how big they will be, and that’s what this study offers,” he said.
Studies will include a hydrology assessment which estimates river flows for possible floods, flood hazard mapping to show where flooding is deepest and most destructive, and flood inundation mapping to be used for emergency response planning, among other things.
Bezeau says after 2013 the province initially focused on rivers in urban centres but have transitioned into studied river hazards in longer, rural stretches. Studies will also be conducted on smaller stretches of Kneehill Creek, Michichi Creek, Rosebud River, and Willow Creek.
He says the study is expected to be complete by 2020 with results and information provided to municipalities some time after.
“We will need to make sure that local government understands and are on top of the information that’s in it,” says Bezeau.
Costs are split in half between the province and federal government as part of Canada’s National Disaster Mitigation Program.
