Flood mitigation should be prioritized, say Calgarians
Calgary River Communities Action Group pushes for Springbank reservoir project
A group representing Calgarians whose homes were damaged in the floods two years ago is trying to prod the provincial government into action on flood mitigation.
Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done urgently.- CRCAG co-president Brenda Leeds Binder
Members of the Calgary River Communities Action Group (CRCAG) have started a postcard campaign to ask Premier Rachel Notley to prioritize the projects after what they describe as two years of engineers, architects, hydrologists and other experts studying how flooding can be prevented.
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"People forget, they want to forget, I want to forget," said CRCAG co-president Tony Morris. "Unfortunately we can't because that's what's happened over the past 130 years, and we're not going to allow for that to happen."
Earlier in the day, Calgary Mayor Neheed Nenshi told CBC News that the new NDP government needs to make a decision on flood mitigation.
"These are very complex decisions that need to be made. But I will tell you that it was a lot of hurry up and wait. A lot of stop and go," he said.
Three levels of mitigation projects are on the table. The first is re-enforcing riverbanks and building dikes and berms, which is work Nenshi says is mostly finished.
The second is projects like strengthening and heightening the Glenmore Dam.
The third is expensive mitigation projects that are proposed in Springbank or McLean Creek, as well as the Glenmore diversion tunnel.
Nenshi pushes for Springbank dam
"Certainly the cost-benefit analysis that we have before us show that Springbank or McLean Creek are probably have a higher cost-benefit ratio than the tunnel does. But there are some challenges with McLean Creek — grizzly bear habitat and so on, that may make it very, very difficult to build," said Nenshi.
He says if Springbank can go forward first, it should probably happen soon. He will meet with Premier Notley next week.
CRCAG is also pushing for the Springbank reservoir project as the best bet to prevent future floods along the Elbow River.
"Studies have been done," said CRCAG co-president Brenda Leeds Binder. "The engineering design is underway and this project must be built and there is no excuse not to act now."
CBC did confirm with Notley's office that they have been contacted by the CRCAG and that they do plan to respond soon.
As for any future flood mitigation plans, the premier's office says they're reviewing projects and are not prepared to make any announcements yet.
"Our message here is that this is an issue that cannot be ignored any longer," said Leeds Binder. "Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done urgently."