The Government of Alberta and Rocky View County (RVC) provided information to Bragg Creek-area residents at an open house on July 30 at the local community centre about future plans to build a large dyke along the Elbow River near the hamlet.
“This is a pretty significant project for such a small community,” said Jason Penner, public affairs officer with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD).
The June 2013 flood caused major overland damage to many parts of southern Alberta, including the towns and cities of Calgary, High River, Canmore and Bragg Creek.
Penner said the plans for the project are entirely conceptual at this point, and the goal of the open house was to inform residents “about what’s being planned for their community… and to gather feedback.”
According to conceptual drawings, dykes would be built at various curves in the Elbow River both upstream and downstream of the Hamlet of Bragg Creek.
The total project is estimated to cost $6.1 million, including engineering and construction costs, which Penner said would be provided by the Province. He said the Province is hoping to have the dykes in place by May 2015, but added “that’s an aggressive goal.”
The next step in the project is the design phase and receiving Provincial environmental approvals. Penner said discussions are ongoing with RVC to determine which party will take the lead on the project, whether it’s the County because it’s in their local area or the Province because of the size of the infrastructure.
Local Councillor Liz Breakey said she is “hugely optimistic” about the project.
“We’re virtually defenseless at this stage for another flood. So this will provide for local flood defenses to protect us through that,” she said, adding that moving forward, there will need to be a lot of engagement with riverfront landowners to steer the project.
Some residents who attended the workshop said because the information released is still conceptual, they look forward to hearing more details.
Keith Hay, a resident of West Bragg Creek, said he hopes future flood mitigation plans will take into account the importance of protecting the bridge over the Elbow River that connects to the town centre.
“The plan addresses some of the flood stuff, but it doesn’t address some of problems to the west where if the bridge goes out, we’re stuck because that’s our only outlet,” he said, adding he also hopes the project will provide more protection for the commercial core of Bragg Creek.
Another resident said he is doubtful about the Province’s timeline.
“I think this is going to be a long-term project by the time they do all the studies. It might be awhile out before we see this,” he said, adding he thinks other projects might take precedence.
Penner said building the dykes is among the other infrastructure projects the Province is contemplating for the area for flood protection. Plans to build a permanent reservoir and diversion system in the Springbank/Jumping Pound area are also in the works.
“We’d divert water off the Elbow River during flood conditions into a reservoir that we’d build, and hold the water until flood conditions subside, and release the water back into the river,” Penner explained, but added a project of that magnitude could take four to five years to come to fruition.
The Province also discussed building a dam along the Elbow River at McLean Creak, about 10 kilometres upstream from the Hamlet of Bragg Creek. Penner said there has been little support for the project.
“These things take time, but now we’re starting to see plans come into action. I think it’s good news.”
