Richmond Prepared for Projected Rising River Levels
12 April 2007
The City of Richmond is assuring residents that the threat of flooding as a result of the spring runoff remains slight, despite near record snow pack levels.
“As an island community, we always have to be prepared for the possibility of flooding,” says Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “As a result, our flood prevention measures are among the best and most extensive in the Fraser Valley. This ensures the chance of any significant flooding in the areas protected by Richmond’s dikes is very low, even this year.”
The City of Richmond's dikes were designed and constructed to the height of the highest flood level ever recorded (the flood of 1894) plus an additional 0.6 metre. While recent studies have shown some reduction in this margin, it is still well above historic high water levels.
It is also important to note that Richmond is located far to the south of the peak snow pack runoff points. This means that the water level is considerably lower in Richmond due to the widening of the river. This gives the water a larger distribution area, thus reducing its vertical influence on the river and the likelihood that dikes might be breached.
The highest spring runoffs on the Fraser River occurred in 1894, 1948, and 1972. While there was some minimal flooding in 1948, this was in areas where no dikes existed or where there were substandard dikes not maintained by the municipality. Dikes in all those areas have been significantly improved.
However, despite its margin of safety, Richmond is constantly working to upgrade its dike height and stability. The City’s dikes are inspected on a weekly basis and river levels at key sites around Richmond are constantly measured through 24-hour electronic monitoring.
The City will spend about $1.4 million this year on dike-related works. This includes $868,000 on dike improvements between No. 7 and No. 8 Road, through emergency funding recently announced by the Province of BC. Work on that project is expected to begin the week on april 16, 2007 and will be completed in advance of the expected peak spring runoff.
The City of Richmond has also developed a new Flood Protection Management Strategy (2006-2031). A draft strategy was approved by Council last year and a final strategy is expected to come before Council later this spring. The strategy sets out a number of recommendations for ensuring Richmond remains safe from floods, including major improvements to existing dikes, along with construction of a new mid-island dike. This will not only better protect Richmond from the risks of flooding posed by high spring runoff in the Fraser River, but also protect it from other potential flood threats such as rising sea levels due to global warming.
“The Province’s commitment to support flood prevention measures this spring is both welcome and critically important to public safety throughout the Fraser Valley,” says Mayor Brodie. “But we will need ongoing support from both senior governments to truly eliminate and mitigate the risks of flooding.”
Richmond residents concerned about the possibility of flooding are encouraged to visit the flood pages in our Public Safety section Flood Protection in Richmond , and Flooding, or pick up a copy of the City’s Flood Protection brochure, which is available at City Hall and most civic facilities.
