Flood mitigation work paying off in Canmore

CTV Calgary: Canmore flood mitigation The town of Canmore continues to reinforce the banks of Cougar Creek, one of 15 flood mitigation projects underway. Kevin Green reports.

Workers who’ve been at it ever since the flood waters receded in the community say that all of the projects needed to protect Canmore are either completed or well on their way to being finished.

“I am happy to say that we have made great progress in addressing immediate needs for flood mitigation here in Canmore and the surrounding communities, getting funding and support to the areas where it was needed. The significant work on mitigation is also a testament to the dedication of municipal leaders in this part of the province,” said Kyle Fawcett, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training, and Labour in a release.

Areas of Canmore were devastated when Cougar Creek overflowed, tearing away at the yards of several homes along the river and washed out many roads.

Afterwards, the province identified 15 projects in Canmore and the MD of Big Horn to help prevent future flooding.

Construction equipment has been on site for nearly a year to clean up and put protections in place.

One aspect they were looking at was a way to allow debris to flow down the creek more easily, which was a major factor in the flooding in 2013.

The Town of Canmore has received $28M in flood mitigation funding, with an additional $11M to the MD of Big Horn.

The projects, funded in part through the province’s community flood remediation programs, address the specific concerns and needs identified by municipalities. To date, over $200 million has been invested in communites across the province, including $28 million to Canmore and $11 million to the MD of Big Horn.

The Alberta government says they are also moving towards other flood mitigation projects including a Highwood Diversion, an off-stream storage facility at Springbank, a dry dam at the confluence of McLean Creek and the Elbow River, as well as additional upgrades to dams and other existing structures.