Before much of the flood mitigation efforts go forward, there needs to be assessments and approvals to protect the river, and the life it supports.
Some of these efforts are underway and last week aquatic biologist Michael Kovacs of Wood Environmental and Infrastructure Solutions was on the river to assess the aquatic terrain.
Chief Flood Mitigation and Resiliency officer Darwin Durnie explains these assessments have to be done before work can proceed.
“Areas we might have to disturb for armouring or rip rap, and diking, we have to look at what we disturb from terrestrial and aquatic perspective,” he said.
“We need a Qualified Aquatic Environmental Specialist (QAES) to determine what that impact might be and whether what we plan to do is acceptable, or if we have to do mitigation efforts,” said Durnie. “Also, in the same zone on the land, we do the terrestrial and animal inventory.”
These include taking stock of the plant and animal life along the river and its habitat.
“We have been doing that on all 100 kilometres of the bank along the river trying to figure out what is where, so we can figure out, if anything, we have to design around,” he said
Kovacs explains the project will need approval under the Water Act as well as Fisheries and Oceans. With a river like the Red Deer River, there is quite a bit of historical data to rely on in terms of fish populations.
Kovacs was joined by Darrell Berlando as they worked last week transecting the river, taking measurements of the width of the river from the wetted edge, to the one-in-two-year high watermark and the top of bank. He also records the depths and categorizes the habitat, noting physical features. This will give them an idea of where they can add flood mitigation measures, or take measures where habitat is displaced. One example is planting trees near the river to create root clusters that can act as cover for some species of fish to live or forage.
On Friday, they were working along the river near Cambria and were working towards East Coulee. These assessments have to be completed in areas where there may be disturbance, and downstream in the zone of influence.

St. Anthony’s School has secured a grant to bring more greenery and shade to its outdoor facilities.

In 2019, Mayor Heather Colberg contacted schools about an available tree grant. In February 2020, St. Anthony’s School submitted a proposal to Tree Canada and recently received confirmation their application was successful. 

In 2018 Christ the Redeemer invested in developing the overall landscape of the school. The plan was intended to be a phased project. The first part of the plan included some shade in the playground area using indigenous plants and prepared the grounds to ensure the plants would thrive in our bentonite environment. 

The grant St. Anthony’s School has received will contribute to the second phase of the plan, which will provide some larger shade trees around the recently built sports field. This will make the field more user friendly for athletes and fans on the hot, sunny days we are blessed to have in Drumheller.

Principal JoAnne Akerboom thanks the mayor for bringing this grant to the school’s attention. 

“We will continue to seek other funding sources for the continual improvement of our school for the benefit of our students and the community. As money is donated or secured through grants, we will continue with this project,” she said.

The student council president, Bea Santa Cruz said, “I am happy that we are working to improve the student experience and that we try to do more for our school and community. It's great to see the continual effort to add more indigenous plants and improved the nature around the school.”

Environmentally Conscious student, Emery Eddy said, “I think this is a good idea. It helps create shade in the places we need. We have such a harsh environment and this kind of project helps keep the soil and plants where they need to be.”