Thirteen years following a devastating flood in Calgary, the city has finished constructing a new flood protection system to prevent similar disasters in the future.
The completion of the Sunnyside Flood Barrier was celebrated by officials on Saturday. This barrier, stretching 2.4 kilometers along the Bow River, required a $73 million investment over the past decade. The barrier’s purpose is to shield the Sunnyside and Hillhurst areas from a flood that has a one-in-100-year probability. Michael Thompson, the chief operating officer of Calgary’s water utility, stated that the city’s overall flood risk has been reduced by 70%.
Thompson emphasized that the completed barrier will result in fewer homes in Calgary being vulnerable to flood damage, fewer disruptions to public infrastructure like roads and utilities, and a reduction in the financial, emotional, and social impacts associated with major flooding events.
The flood protection system comprises permanent flood walls, sheet pile walls, and deployable flood protection mechanisms. Additionally, the project includes enhancements such as new seating areas, improved pathways, and the planting of approximately 200 trees. Landscaping work is ongoing and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.
Christie Page, a Sunnyside resident who was displaced from her home during the 2013 floods, expressed her satisfaction with the completed project, stating that she feels Sunnyside is now better protected than it was over a decade ago.
In response to the 2013 floods, the city and province collaborated to develop a comprehensive flood prevention plan, according to Frank Frigo, the city’s manager of environmental management. This strategy aimed to enhance flood protection measures inside and outside Calgary while minimizing disruptions to communities and the environment.
Frigo highlighted that achieving the 70% reduction in flood risk took over a decade due to the complexity of the project. He mentioned that the next crucial step will be the completion of the replacement of the Ghost Reservoir, which will further reduce flood risk and contribute to the city’s water supply sustainability.