With the rainiest months of the year still possibly on the way, residents impacted by the flooding of Cochrane Lake are concerned what this year may have in store for them.
Weighed down by the news that Rocky View County (RVC) would not be providing compensation for property damages, as well as being notified the Disaster Relief Program (DRP) has rejected their claim, John Boutet and Jill Breeck of 92 Cochrane Lake Trail are left with little direction as to where to turn next.
“It’s a real mess,” said Boutet, gesturing to his yard that was not long ago submerged in stagnant lake water.
Accordig to Boutet, what was lush, green and landscaped only four years ago has been left a grey, marshy mess with dead brush, trees and willows, as well as a stench that will inevitably worsen if rainfall increases.
The flooded lake crept across the couple’s property line — reaching some 18 metres inside and nearly to the front door, with water kept out of the basement by a sump pump.
RVC Councilor Jerry Arshinoff has been vocal over his disdain for the lack of support the County has provided those impacted by the flooded lake - residents on the Monterra development side and those living along the hamlet.
“Rocky View County should be responsible for its decisions and how they affect people,” Arshinoff said. The County approved the Monterra development to proceed without ensuring an outflow system was installed in the lake for flood preparation.
Arshinoff said he plans to continue to push County administration for compensation for those affected by the flooded lake.
The former developer of the Monterra community (Medallion) and former water utility holder (Regional Water Services Ltd.) are now both insolvent, leaving the Province and the County to establish liability for those impacted. The two parties decided to pipe the water to nearby Horse Creek last fall.
Environmental groups such as Little Creeks and Rough Fescue Appreciation Society (LCARF) and Bow Valley Habitat Development have outright criticized the decision to pump into Horse Creek - on the basis that this watershed cannot handle a large volume of water and the spawning habits of fish species in the creek are being disturbed.
“If we get really heavy rainfall, I don’t think the pipe to Horse Creek can do the job,” said Arshinoff, asserting the County, at the very least, failed the residents by not being more proactive at pumping the lake.
Following the announcement made by MacDonald Development Corporation last week that they would be taking over as the developers of the Monterra community, CEO Rob MacDonald was contacted.
While he said the Horse Creek solution currently in place (with pumping to resume this season) appears to be sufficient for the time being, part of their agreement includes installing a sewer line all the way to the Bow River, parallel to the existing water line.
Canadian Dewatering was contracted last August to temporarily pipe water to the Bow River and was successful at substantially reducing the water level at Cochrane Lake before freeze-up.
MacDonald said that the company’s approach to development was anything but “vanilla”, and additional time is put into building its communities.
“Good planning takes time,” he said, adding continued development will likely be anywhere from 12 to 24 months away.
The development would extend to include mixed-use housing and eventually some commercial development. MacDonald added the build-out is more in-line with a 10-year timeframe.
Arshinoff maintains the County should re-prioritize their major projects - including the $32 million a new County municipal building he asserts is wasteful and unnecessary - and focus on repairing existing problems, such as the situation at Cochrane Lake.
“First you take care of the people and problems you have - then you see where you want to develop.”
