The MD of Foothills is moving forward on updating its flood maps which will help it be better prepared in the case of another high water event, and the provincial government is picking up the tab.
The department of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development announced a grant of $517,737 earlier this month to fund mapping for three projects: a Highwood River upstream bank review and an assessment of the Hoeh dyke and modeling downstream on the Highwood River and Little Bow to assess new flood mitigation effects.
Reeve Larry Spilak said while they were hoping to government would approve the funds for the project, the MD began the project on their own dime because regardless of funding, the maps were needed.
“We needed to have a flood map study to see who in fact would be affected by this and who would not, we took this on as a council it's a cost of about $350,000 and we took it on about three to four months ago,” he said. “Council approved this hoping that the Province would come back and give us a grant for it, and that was a grant that we received.”
With the new dykes, berms and diversions, Spilak said it’s essential to understand how the water will flow if it ever faces a flood similar to the 2013 disaster again.
“It’s very important, as most people know High River is going ahead with their flood mitigation plans and so now we have to prepare and do all of the safe guarding that we can for the residents surrounding high river that will be impacted by High River's mitigations,” Spilak explained. “The flow of water will change according to what High River is doing… and (the maps) will tell you where the water should go, and that way we can be better prepared for our residents to help them through it.”
Hugh Pettigrew, deputy director of engineering and public works, said the work that needs to be completed is quite advanced and even involves aerial photography.
“We heavily needed to have the lidar information which is a 3D modeling and contouring of the land, so the province has engaged aerial photography to do the flight. So the province will be sharing that information with us in the next month or so, and then we're hoping that the modeling can be done for some time in the fall,” he said. “Those things are complicated to build from my understanding, so we may get the result of this study in the fall of this year so we can see what next steps have to take place and that's a whole other level after that.”
Pettigrew said once they know where the water will flow, they’ll be able to make better decisions when it comes to land planning and in emergency situations.
“Is the water going to be higher? is there buildings involved? And from the report we hope to be able to mitigate those situations, or at least discuss with the Province what the solution should be for those folks, if any,” he said “It also involves how we manage future land use so if we know the area is going to be a flood way we're going to have to prepare to makes sure we don't put thee people in a situation which is not proper.
Ultimately, Pettigrew said it’s about being prepared so they are ready if the waters begin to rise again.
“The MD is being proactive and the Province has recognized our efforts to do that, so due diligence is at play,” he said. “We know it will be additional flows if we have another event and mitigations are likely going to have a change in the channel course, so we're doing these things to be proactive…to protect our residents.”
