91原创 Township is moving ahead with flood mitigation work after the province announced $5 million in funding for work over several years.
The funds will improve pump capacity so farmers and families in North 91原创 should experience less flooding in the future.
The Township, in partnership with the Kwantlen First Nation and Rivershed Society of BC, is working on a multi-phase project that includes upgrading water infrastructure and adding pumping capacity to manage flooding in the area.
鈥淭he reality of a changing climate means we could see more frequent and intense flooding in the Fraser Valley, and it is vital we work together to keep our communities safe and our food supply stable,鈥� said Pam Alexis, minister of agriculture and food. 鈥淭his is why we鈥檙e supporting collaborative projects that will help keep food on the table, protect the livelihoods of farmers and ensure the health of local ecosystems in the face of future flooding.鈥�
Alexis toured the Township鈥檚 pump station on the Salmon River April 25. The Glen Valley and Salmon River Flood Mitigation project calls for upgrades at the station and elsewhere in North 91原创.
These upgrades will improve water flow and storage, increasing the flood resiliency of the community and allowing agricultural producers to continue to grow food.
鈥淭his initiative will strengthen the Township of 91原创鈥檚 flood resilience by upgrading pumps and water infrastructure,鈥� said Mayor Eric Woodward. 鈥淏y improving flood-control systems, we鈥檙e also taking a significant step toward long-term food security for our community. 鈥�
The Township plan calls for $300,000 to study in depth the Salmon River system and come up with human-made and natural solutions to flooding as well as improve salmon habitat. That work could include bank repair, replacing culverts and improving ditch networks.
The Salmon River Dike Station would get a $3 million upgrade to increase capacity so floodwaters could be moved quicker. A screw pump would replace three old pumps from about 80 years ago that are not fish-friendly.
Another $100,000 would be spent to create a food corridor. This would is being managed by Kwantlen First Nation and the Rivershed Society, involving private landowners.
The remaining amount, $700,000, would be spent on improving drainage and watercourse capacity in the Glen Valley system. It would include such things as vegetation clearing, sediment removal, and infrastructure repair or maintenance.
鈥淩ivershed is honoured to collaborate with the Township of 91原创 and the Kwantlen First Nation on this initiative, which exemplifies a shared dedication to nurturing the integrity of local ecosystems, ensuring food security and protecting wildlife habitat,鈥� said Justine Neslon, executive director, Rivershed Society of BC. 鈥淭ogether, we are working toward a resilient future for the Fraser Watershed, fostering its health and vitality for generations to come.鈥�
A comprehensive study on the Salmon River will be conducted in consultation with partners in the community, such as First Nations, farmers and other stakeholders.
鈥淧eople in 91原创 have a history of working together to improve the community and support each other,鈥� said Megan Dykeman, MLA for 91原创 East. 鈥淭hat spirit continues to be on full display in this project, which will result in more flood-resilient neighbourhoods, stronger farming and business communities, and even stronger relationships among people and organizations here.鈥�
According to the Rivershed Society, a foodland corridor is created by restoring and connecting adjacent parcels of privately held land to form a natural corridor. Foodlands acknowledges a diversity of food harvesting systems, both from a western farming and traditional hunting-and-gathering perspective. A restored foodlands corridor supports a food system that is healthy, sustainable, just, and inclusive.
The Glen Valley and Salmon River Flood Mitigation project is expected to be complete by December 2025.
The province is providing $5 million for the project as part of the $20-million, multi-year Fraser Valley Flood Mitigation Program announced in March 2023.
The same program is providing $10 million to support two additional projects: the Hatzic Flood Mitigation and Watershed Master Plan; and Athey Road Bank Stabilization project.
For more details about the Fraser Valley Flood Mitigation program, visit https://iafbc.ca/fraser-valley-flood. To find out more about the B.C. Flood Strategy, visit https://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcfloodstrategy/.
