Alberta Flood Watch 2014

[Bigtime]

Another Alberta Flood Symposium happening right now down at the BMO Centre, you can watch it live here:

http://alberta.ca/flood-symposium.cfm

[Bigtime]

Some interesting proposed changes to the land use bylaw going to city council on May 12:

http://www.calgarydowntown.com/image...l%20report.pdf

Some snapshots of what it changes:

-Most homes in the Flood Hazard Area, which includes the flood fringe, overland flow areas and the floodway, will immediately become non-conforming.

-If you apply for a Development Permit (DP), e.g., to build an addition, and your home is non-conforming, the City can impose flood mitigation design criteria on the addition and the existing home or refuse the DP for failure to comply.

-Imposing flood mitigation design criteria can mean: requiring compliance with setbacks from the river (e.g., 30m for Elbow, 60m for Bow); raising the height of your main floor above the flood level for your area; and moving your electrical and mechanical equipment above the flood level (i.e., moving your furnace, hot water tank and electrical panel out of your basement). You will have to find room in your home above the flood level to accommodate the electrical and mechanical equipment.

[Dion]

New High River dikes should prevent flooding

HIGH RIVER - High River will never again see a repeat of last June’s flood if the current frenzy of dike-building does its job, say town officials.

Six kilometres of dikes are being built by dozens of crews to contain more water from the Highwood River than what laid waste to much of the town on June 20, 2013.

Reiley McKerracher, the town’s manager of engineering, said the dikes are engineered to withstand the volume of last year’s flood, plus an extra metre.

“In a number of locations, because we’ve actually diked the river in and confined it, we’ve pushed water levels up,” he said. “We’ve compensated for that water level, plus added another metre on top, so in some locations our dikes are 1.7 metres higher than the water levels last year.”

The total length of all the dikes together is 6,291 metres

“Almost all the way through town, we’re going to have some sort of protection,” said McKerracher.

“It’s an immense amount of work. These are multi-year projects that we’ve compressed into months to make happen in time for this year.”

“We’re very confident. Once it’s complete, if we had a reoccurrence of last year, the town would be protected.”

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/04/30...event-flooding

[Flames in 07]

I've only been reading articles in the herald, but it seems to me the city is under the impression that only one river flood last year. Almost every single expense, thought about mitigation or unit of energy the city/province puts into preventing future floods via large scale projects is all about the Elbow River. Am I missing something? I admit I haven't attended any symposiums or spent more than 10 minutes at neighborhood updates as I turn around when I figure out the city is well versed in talking tons but saying nothing.

[Bigtime]

Pretty much, it seems all I've heard about the Bow is the riverbank restoration/slight mitigation being done in the city and the automated storm gates in Sunnyside (which won't help prevent a flood in a situation like last year).

Nothing from the province about upstream mitigation or planning for it, most I can find is they'll start looking at it late this year and we'll be lucky to see anything being done by 2016 at the earliest.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I've only been reading articles in the herald, but it seems to me the city is under the impression that only one river flood last year. Almost every single expense, thought about mitigation or unit of energy the city/province puts into preventing future floods via large scale projects is all about the Elbow River. Am I missing something? I admit I haven't attended any symposiums or spent more than 10 minutes at neighborhood updates as I turn around when I figure out the city is well versed in talking tons but saying nothing.

Which is kind of weird, because on a damage scale I would guess downtown Calgary flooding is way more costly than even the mansions on the Elbow.

The cynic in me always assumed that Elbow Park was driving the bus, because well they have the money and Redford is the MLA and was Premier. However, I would imagine the Oil Guys downtown would be concerned too as all that lost time and damage is in the large millions. Plus the damage to city infrastructure and the city should be concerned selfishly.

I agree with Big Time, I have yet to see anything concrete at least for this year. The more time that goes on makes me figure the city is just crossing their fingers and holding back until it happens one more time. The way the flood changed the river flows maybe they are even afraid to do anything to mitigate as it might make things worse.

As we have always said here in Sunnyside, the sewers need to be upgraded that is the only sure thing that will help inside the cities control. However, I see very little happening on this front, and it may never happen unless we flood yet again and the city is embarrassed yet again into action.

I really want to be positive but if they are not even protecting the big guys downtown, I doubt the folks on the Bow will see much either.

[Acey]

Albertans who reside along the Bow River, Red Deer River, Little Red Deer River or North Saskatchewan River are asked to take precautionary measures against flood damage as this weekend’s forecast carries the potential for flooding.

http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/high-strea...erta-1.1825745

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Acey

http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/high-strea...erta-1.1825745

Ugh so now we moved from 250mm of rain doesn't trigger anything, until most residents along rivers in Calgary were given 15 min notice to get out of the neighborhood, to flooding advisories every time there's sorta a chance of a medium amount of rain.

There must be experts around the earth who look at Alberta and shake their head.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Ugh so now we moved from 250mm of rain doesn't trigger anything, until most residents along rivers in Calgary were given 15 min notice to get out of the neighborhood, to flooding advisories every time there's sorta a chance of a medium amount of rain.

There must be experts around the earth who look at Alberta and shake their head.

The reporting of high streamflow advisories is no different than at any other time. This isn't a "flooding advisory".

High streamflow advisory is below a flood watch, which is below a flood warning.

Last year, all of the warning levels were given.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I've only been reading articles in the herald, but it seems to me the city is under the impression that only one river flood last year. Almost every single expense, thought about mitigation or unit of energy the city/province puts into preventing future floods via large scale projects is all about the Elbow River. Am I missing something? I admit I haven't attended any symposiums or spent more than 10 minutes at neighborhood updates as I turn around when I figure out the city is well versed in talking tons but saying nothing.

It's because the Elbow caused the most damage and mitigation is significantly more difficult. Less needs to be done to deal with the Bow and it is easier to do because there aren't the same constraints to deal with (river side on the Bow is not the same as river side on the Elbow) which make it cheaper. Flood mitigation for the Bow is effectively improving banks to handle more volume while flood mitigation for the Elbow is finding a way to reduce the volume altogether, not easy or cheap.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

If your thinking about mitigating risk on the main bow and elbow rivers, the more that comes down and melts in april and early may, the less there is to run off in late may in june. but it doesn't really matter that much. Last year there was average snow pack and averagish run off before late June. What really matters is walls of rain were moving from east to west and then stopped on this side of the mountains. All it did was poor for 2 days straight. I remember driving through it on the way to Kananaskis 2 days before the flood and had to reduce speed to about 35km/h because the water couldn't clear off my windshield fast enough. And it did that for 2 days non stop in large parts of the foothills.

So the start of this thread is quite sensationalist to me, except for those affected by small streams generally upstream of what everyone in Calgary is going to be concerned about.

This post says it all. A wind pattern that pushed moist air east across the mountains during a snowpack melt, orographic lift. It's the same thing Vancouver get's daily from west winds, but is much more accostumed to it.

With possible changing weather patterns it's something to look out for but the media spends way too much time being alarmist about it.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

It's because the Elbow caused the most damage and mitigation is significantly more difficult. Less needs to be done to deal with the Bow and it is easier to do because there aren't the same constraints to deal with (river side on the Bow is not the same as river side on the Elbow) which make it cheaper. Flood mitigation for the Bow is effectively improving banks to handle more volume while flood mitigation for the Elbow is finding a way to reduce the volume altogether, not easy or cheap.

There's no doubt that the Elbow caused more damage and its more exposed to flood events. But the bow flooded as well. Just because one river is worse it doesn't mean we should ignore the other one. And if the Bow is about improving the banks, why don't they do that? All the city has said is that they are restoring them to original levels.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

The reporting of high streamflow advisories is no different than at any other time. This isn't a "flooding advisory".

High streamflow advisory is below a flood watch, which is below a flood warning.

Last year, all of the warning levels were given.

I don't ever recall in the last 5 years ever hearing about a river level warning until the 15 minutes before our deadline to get out of the neighborhood, and I picked up the warning within 5 minutes of it being issued.

Possibly the watches are now broadcasted by everyone and their dog and that's what's different but seems like overkill to read about flood watches 4 or 5 times in a day because there's a chance of 15mm of rain.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I don't ever recall in the last 5 years ever hearing about a river level warning until the 15 minutes before our deadline to get out of the neighborhood, and I picked up the warning within 5 minutes of it being issued.

Possibly the watches are now broadcasted by everyone and their dog and that's what's different but seems like overkill to read about flood watches 4 or 5 times in a day because there's a chance of 15mm of rain.

It's not a flood watch, though. It's a high stream flow advisory, which is below flood watch. And this is the time of year there will be lots of warnings, with the snow pack melting and the spring/summer rains.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

There's no doubt that the Elbow caused more damage and its more exposed to flood events. But the bow flooded as well. Just because one river is worse it doesn't mean we should ignore the other one.

Well, it does actually, at least when time and resources are limited. Neither river can handle a flood event like last year so neither will be ready, but the Bow can handle a lot more than the Elbow can so the Elbow is priority number one with coming up with projects.

And if the Bow is about improving the banks, why don't they do that? All the city has said is that they are restoring them to original levels.

They said original levels but they are higher than before as they assess what the new river flow does with banks (the banks they've repaired may not be the problem banks anymore). Looking at the Bearspaw Dam is already in the works as well as temporary emergency flood mitigation (building berms) as a short term fix.

Nobody is ignoring the Bow, it's just not anywhere near as big a problem as the Elbow is.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

They said original levels but they are higher than before as they assess what the new river flow does with banks (the banks they've repaired may not be the problem banks anymore). Looking at the Bearspaw Dam is already in the works as well as temporary emergency flood mitigation (building berms) as a short term fix.

Nobody is ignoring the Bow, it's just not anywhere near as big a problem as the Elbow is.

I dont understand what "They said original levels but they are higher than before" means? you mean the restored banks are higher than before? If so that's not correct, you can see that from hi-rises downtown.

I'm glad nobody is ignoring the Bow, can you point me in the direction of what the plans are to improve management of that river and basin?

[Bigtime]

The only thing I've read showing a higher bank is for the section east of 4th street on Memorial, towards the centre street bridge. I saw the plans online (can't find them right now) and it did indicate the berm in that area would be approximately one foot higher than previous.

[undercoverbrother]

I saw this the other day, seems a little over the top, but then again I am not rich, nor was my house flooded last year.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...491/story.html

Crews are nearly finished erecting an aluminum panel wall up to three metres high around the house of Allan Markin, a prominent businessman and philanthropist. Completely encircling his Elbow River property, the barrier also protects from groundwater with concrete and steel beams embedded 4.25 metres underground.
Despite its size and six-figure cost according to the contractor, it’s a temporary fence, to be dismantled after June and then reinstalled late next spring.

Seems a little over the top,

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I saw this the other day, seems a little over the top, but then again I am not rich, nor was my house flooded last year.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...491/story.html





Seems a little over the top,

Eh if you've got the means to make it happen and structurally you're convinced it'll work.

They've had success in Manitoba with stuff like this during flood season.



I've driven by the huge wall of these suckers and they are roughly the size of a common car, and from what I saw they do work. So it is possible to hold back the flood waters if you build for it in advance.

[nik-]

From personal observations, it seems the water is lower this week than last week. A little rock island was formed under the Peace Bridge from last years flood. Last week it was fully covered, but you could still see logs hung up on it. This morning there was a large area exposed again. So if we're through a majority of the snow cap melt, I'd say we're in pretty good shape this year.