flood and drought mitigation - matt machielse
DESCRIPTION
Matt, Assistant Deputy Minister with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development presented at Alberta’s Watershed Management Symposium: Flood and Drought Mitigation. He explained key findings from the Government of Alberta’s flood mitigation engineering studies are presented, along with next steps for major flood mitigation projects.TRANSCRIPT
Flood and Drought Mitigation
Alberta's Watershed Management Symposium: Flood and Drought Mitigation
April 29, 2014
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Calgary Inglewood
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City of CalgaryMemorial -Sunnyside
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CanmoreCougar Creek
Estimated 2013 Flood Flows
River Location2013 Flow
(cubic meters/second)
Flood Size
Bow Calgary (upstream of Elbow) 1780 1%
Bow Bassano Dam 4200 0.5%
Elbow Upstream of Glenmore Reservoir 1220 0.5%
Highwood Upstream of Town of High River 1820 0.5%
Sheep Upstream of Turner Valley 720 1%
Red Deer Upstream of Glennifer Reservoir 1800 2%
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Improving Alberta’s Flood and Drought Resiliency
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Flood Mitigation Framework: Purpose and Principles
Flooding cannot be prevented, but we can be better prepared
Preparedness, protection and resilience– Reduce risk – Define the “1:100” standard as a 1% chance in any given year
Assess, select, coordinate and implement mitigation measures and policies
Evaluate based on:– Understanding causes, risks and impacts; and– Social, environmental and economic cost/benefit
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Watershed ManagementSystems Approach
Each river basin is a system
Focus on river basins where flooding and drought risks are highest
Implement best combination of upstream, local, individual and policy-based mitigation measures to protect against 1:100 flooding events.
Enhance the ability to protect against water shortages as well.
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1) Overall Watershed Management System-wide view
2) Flood Modelling, Prediction, and Warning SystemsTools to prepare Albertans for future floods
3) Flood Risk Management PoliciesRules that reduce the risk to people, infrastructure, the environment and economy
4) Water Management and Mitigation InfrastructureLayers of flood protection at regional levels
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Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
5) Erosion ControlResiliency of our river systems to handle high water flows
6) Local Municipal Mitigation InitiativesLayers of flood protection at the local level
7) Individual Mitigation Measures for HomesFlood protection for homes most at-risk
Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
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1) Overall Watershed Management
Actions to date:•Southern Regional Storm Water Management Plan implemented•Wallaceville (High River) relocation program
British Columbia
Sas
katc
hew
an
Montana
SOUTH
RIVER SUB-BASINSASKATCHEWAN
RED DEER RIVER BASIN
BOW RIVER BASIN
OLDMAN RIVERBASIN
AlbertaWAT
ERTO
N R
.BE
LLY
R.
REDDEER
ROSEBUD
HIGHWOOD R.ELB
OW
RIVER
RIVER
RIVER
REDDEER R. B
ER
RY
CR
EEK
BOW R.
SOUTH
SASK
ATCH
EWAN
R.
LITTLEBOW R.
MILK R.
CAST
LE R
.
OLDMAN R.
WILLOW
CROWSNEST R.
CREEK
MA
RY R
.
OLDMAN R.
ST.
South Saskatchewan River Basin12
Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
Bow River Sub-Basin
2) Flood Modelling, Prediction, and Warning Systems
Work completed:•$8.7 Million to update flood hazard mapping
•Eight mapping studies complete:
Work ongoing:•Advisory and river basin data updates
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• Banff• Penhold• Rycroft• Thorsby
• Two Hills• Irvine• Walsh• Pine Creek
Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
3) Flood Risk Management Policies
Floodway development restrictions:
•Bill 27 received Royal Assent•Stakeholder consultation on regulations are underway
Floodway relocation program
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Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
4) Water Management and Mitigation Infrastructure
Assessment of:Existing water management infrastructure
Proposed dams and structures for:Bow and Ghost RiversElbow RiverSheep RiverHighwood River
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Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
5) Erosion Control
Flood Recovery and Erosion Control (FREC)
•$216 Million committed•Program ended on March 31, 2014
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Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
6) Local Mitigation Initiatives – by Community
New Program slated for 2014:
Resilience and Mitigation Program (RAMP) $1.6 Billion in requests
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Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
7) Individual Mitigation Measures for Homes
Actions to date:
Disaster Recovery Program
Amendments to Emergency Management Act
Minimum standards for homes (STANDATA)
Seven Key Elements of Mitigation
Our Mitigation Focus
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Mitigation Focus
• Non-Structural Mitigation - managing healthy river systems and minimizing man made impacts– For flood control and drought management– Allows rivers to sustain themselves naturally
• Wetlands for water retention and habitat
• Healthy riparian areas for erosion control and protection of aquatic ecosystems
• Structural Mitigation - large-scale engineering projects
Non-Structural Mitigation Pilots
Wetland Restoration in key areas
Enhancing riparian health on impacted rivers
Structural: On-Stream and Off-Stream Detention or Storage Dams and Reservoirs
Several sites examined
Captures flood water using a dam or a weir and stores it in a reservoir
On-stream storage: the reservoir is part of the river
Off-stream storage: the reservoir is not part of the river
Structural: By-Pass or Diversion
• Bypass the flood risk area by building a tunnel or canal
• The water can be moved:– Around the risk area and back into the same river; or– Diverted from the risk area and into another river
Example: Winnipeg By-Pass Floodway
Proposed Actions
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Eleven (11) water management infrastructure sites throughout the province require upgrades to ensure operational effectiveness during future floods
Upgrade Existing Water Control Infrastructure
Examples - Water Control Infrastructure
Travers Dam and Reservoir
• Provides water to communities, First Nations, industry, irrigation
• Requires emergency spillway
Bullhorn Wasteway
• Provides emergency spill capacity for flood water
• Structure requires upgrading
Example – Water Control Infrastructure
• This structure is 100 years old.
• Provides water to Brooks, Lakeside Packers, irrigators, habitat.
• Requires emergency spillway structure.
Bassano Dam – normal year
Bassano Dam – June, 2013
Mitigation for Communities
The current cost estimate for flood-affected communities exceeds $1.6 Billion.
Canmore - 2013 Turner Valley - 2013
Ft. McMurray - 2013
Bow River Sub-Basin(Bow, Ghost, Elbow, Sheep and Highwood)
Ghost River
Sheep River
Highwood River
Elbow River
British Columbia
Sas
katc
hew
an
Montana
SOUTH
RIVER SUB-BASINSASKATCHEWAN
RED DEER RIVER BASIN
BOW RIVER BASIN
OLDMAN RIVERBASIN
AlbertaWAT
ERTO
N R
.BE
LLY
R.
REDDEER
ROSEBUD
HIGHWOOD R.ELB
OW
RIVER
RIVER
RIVER
REDDEER R. B
ER
RY
CR
EEK
BOW R.
SOUTH
SASK
ATCH
EWAN
R.
LITTLEBOW R.
MILK R.
CAST
LE R
.
OLDMAN R.
WILLOW
CROWSNEST R.CREEK
MA
RY R
.
OLDMAN R.
ST.
Bow River Basin
South Saskatchewan River Basin
Bow and Ghost Rivers: structural mitigation options
Includes:•Two proposed dry dams; and
•Community mitigation
Future Focus:•Community mitigation
Initiatives going forward
River Project Type Recommendation
Bow
BG1 Dam Not Recommended
BW1 Dam Not Recommended
BR1 Dam Not Recommended
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
Elbow River Watershed
Bow River Basin
Elbow River - structural mitigation options
Included:•4 possible dry dams•1 off-stream storage site •Calgary tunnel diversion
Dry Dam SiteOff-Stream Storage SiteCalgary Tunnel Site
Elbow River - structural mitigation options
Future Focus:•1 proposed dry dam;
•1 off-stream storage site; and
•Calgary tunnel diversion. – The City of Calgary is conducting a feasibility study on the tunnel.
Off-Stream Storage Site Schematic (near Springbank Road)
McLean Creek On-Stream Dam Site Schematic
Proposed Structural Mitigation Options
McLean Creek Site
Springbank Road Site
Calgary Tunnel
Off-Stream vs On-Stream Storage
• Drought Protection: live storage can be added to either option
• On-stream (MC1): $189 Million– Protects Bragg Creek and Calgary
– Store 58,000 dam3 of water
• Off-stream (SR 1): $193 Million– Protects Calgary
– Store 57,000 dam3 of water
– Less physical disturbance to the stream
– Less construction window restrictions
– Fish passage on the Elbow River can be implemented
Springbank (SR1) fly-over
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Effects of Springbank (SR1) Off-stream storage
2013 event2013 event
2013 eventwith SR1
Effects of McLean Creek (MC1) On-stream storage
2013 event2013 event
2013 eventwith MC1
Initiatives going forward
River Project Type Recommendation
Elbow
FC1 Dam Not Recommended
EQ1 Dam Not Viable
EC1 Dam Not Viable
MC1 Dam Decision required after Calgary tunnel study
SR1 Off-Stream Approved for engineering design
Priddis By-Pass Not Recommended
Calgary Tunnel Study Further
Community Mitigation
Berms/Dykes
Approved to proceed
Sheep River Watershed
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Bow River Basin
Sheep River - structural mitigation options Includes: •1 proposed dry dam (S2)•Community mitigation measures
Future Focus: •Community mitigation measures
S2 Dam
Sheep River Basin Town of Turner Valley
Initiatives going forward
River Project Type Recommendation
SheepS2 Dam Not Recommended
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
Highwood River Watershed
Bow River Basin
High River- structural mitigation options
Includes:
•2 proposed dry dams
•3 by-pass (north and south of High River) options
•Town of High River flood protection (currently being constructed)
High River By-Pass Channel Options
Tong
ue C
reek
Tongue Creek
High River
Highwood River
Tongue Creek By-Pass
Northern By-Pass
Southern By-Pass
Berms and Bank Protection Projects
Town of High River
Ongoing Berm Construction in High River
By-Pass Channels
Being considered to further protect the Town of High River
Future focus:– North by-pass option– South by-pass option– Both north & south
Highwood Diversion options
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Highwood Diversion options
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Proposed High River Northern By-Pass Option
Proposed High River Southern By-Pass Option
Little Bow Dam & Reservoir
Little Bow Diversion
Includes: By-pass channel to Little
Bow River; and Dam and storage reservoir
to retain flood water.
Initiatives going forward
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River Project Type Recommendation
Highwood
H5(2) Dam Not Recommended
H2 Dam Not Recommended
High River By-Pass By-Pass Channel Study Further
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
AthabascaBasin
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Whitecourt
Slave Lake
Ft. McMurray
Ft. McMurray
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Historic flooding - 1977
Fort McMurray – Dyking Flood Mitigation Options
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Initiatives going forward
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River Project Type Recommendation
Athabasca
Ice Control Structure Not Recommended
Crooked Rapids Dam Not Recommended
Clearwater Dam Not Recommended
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
Red Deer River Sub-Basin
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Red Deer
Drumheller
Sundre
Affected Municipalities
• Municipalities– Sundre– Mountainview County– Red Deer County– City of Red Deer– Drumheller– Regional Water Systems
• Potential Actions– Dyking– Regulating flows
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Potential Water Detention Sites
• Provides storage of flood water• Supplies water to Glennifer Lake during water
shortages
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Initiatives going forward
River Project Type Recommendation
Red Deer
S1(c) Dam Not Recommended
S4 Dam Not Recommended
S5 Dam Not Recommended
S6 Dam Not Recommended
S9 Dam Not Recommended
S13(b) Dam Not Recommended
S14 Dam Not Recommended
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
South Saskatchewan RiverSub-Basin
• Main flooding occurred in City of Medicine Hat
• Medicine Hat has developed a flood protection plan
• Southern Regional Stormwater Management Plan underway
Medicine Hat
CFB Suffield
Medicine HatFlood Protection Sites
Moving forward
Engineered Projects Considered
River Project Type Recommendation
Bow
BG1 Dam Not Recommended
BW1 Dam Not Recommended
BR1 Dam Not Recommended
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
Elbow
FC1 Dam Not Recommended
EQ1 Dam Not Viable
EC1 Dam Not Viable
MC1 Dam Decision required after Calgary tunnel study
SR1 Off-Stream Approved for engineering design
Priddis By-Pass Not Recommended
Calgary Tunnel Study Further
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
SheepS2 Dam Not Recommended
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
Engineered Projects Considered
River Project Type Recommendation
Highwood
H5(2) Dam Not Recommended
H2 Dam Not Recommended
High River By-Pass By-Pass Channel Study Further
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
Red Deer
S1(c) Dam Not Recommended
S4 Dam Not Recommended
S5 Dam Not Recommended
S6 Dam Not Recommended
S9 Dam Not Recommended
S13(b) Dam Not Recommended
S14 Dam Not Recommended
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
Athabasca
Ice Control Structure Not Recommended
Crooked Rapids Dam Not Recommended
Clearwater Dam Not Recommended
Community Mitigation Berms/Dykes Approved to proceed
Mitigation Spending(in $ millions)
Decision/Description Total 2013 /14
2014 /15
2015 /16
2016 /17
Community mitigation Flood Erosion Control Program Resilience and Mitigation Program High River
21632587
191-
87
25110
-
-110
-
-105
-
Non-structural 21 - 7 7 7
Upgrades to infrastructure 104 - 8 38 58
Elbow/ Highwood Projects 150 - 75 75 -
Total 903 278 225 230 170
$625 million in Budget 2014/2015 to 2016/2017
Next Steps
• Ongoing studies– City of Calgary Tunnel Proposal (early June)– More detailed engineering assessment of select
structural mitigation options (SR1, MC1, By-pass), RFP’s in June
– Implementation of non-structural (watershed management) mitigation options over 3 years
• Implementation of Resilience & Mitigation Program (RAMP) – 3 year funding
Next Steps
• Upgrades of existing water infrastructure– 3 year funding
• Ongoing stakeholder engagement
• Formal regulatory approval processes– beginning this fall
Regulatory Process
• Environmental Assessment based on scale and complexity of proposed project
• Provincial approvals under the Water Act, Historical Resources Act, Natural Resources Conservation Board Act and Public Lands Act
• Federal processes under the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act would likely occur concurrently
Municipal Engagement
• Discussions with community leadership– Meetings with municipal officials within flood-affected
watersheds will provide community leaders with more detail surrounding upcoming flood mitigation projects
– Meetings will take place in each watershed during May/June
Questions?