There is an issue for those of us who live in Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows relating to the Governments proposed flood mitigation strategy.
Basically, there are two locations for 'dry dams' (a dry dam is a buffer for flood water) proposed.
The first location is Springbank on private land.
The second is in MacLean creek.
The Prentice government has announced that Springbank will go ahead...however, this is not sitting well in Bragg/Redwood as these communities would still have to deal with the fact they are upstream of the dry dam.
Also, the Springbank option requires buying prime private land where McLean is already public land. This cost has not been considered in the financial calculations.
Basically, we think the GOA needs to reconsider.
This may not directly affect many of you, however, if you would consider looking at this website and signing the petition if you agree it would make a BIG difference.
Thanks.
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"WHAT HAVE WE EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US????" -Oiler Fan
"It was a debacle of monumental proportions." -MacT
Yeah I really don't understand the thinking behind this. Maclean creek seems like a way better option. This is a strong point to consider even if you don't live out there:
"Lastly the McLean Creek Flood Storage Site will create an opportunity for a recreational site that will be enjoyed by Albertans for generations to come."
True there is some NIMBY people involved (and they are kind of annoying)...however there is another way to look at it.
The Government has to ensure that all the relevant dimensions are discussed and many people in the area feel that certain costs have not been accounted for.
People in Bragg are still recovering and are trying to get an economic development strategy off the ground...the Springbank option means big berms going through the community which will not help with that plan. That is one example of an opportunity cost not included by the GOA.
__________________
"WHAT HAVE WE EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US????" -Oiler Fan
"It was a debacle of monumental proportions." -MacT
There is an issue for those of us who live in Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows relating to the Governments proposed flood mitigation strategy.
Basically, there are two locations for 'dry dams' (a dry dam is a buffer for flood water) proposed.
The first location is Springbank on private land.
The second is in MacLean creek.
The Prentice government has announced that Springbank will go ahead...however, this is not sitting well in Bragg/Redwood as these communities would still have to deal with the fact they are upstream of the dry dam.
Also, the Springbank option requires buying prime private land where McLean is already public land. This cost has not been considered in the financial calculations.
Basically, we think the GOA needs to reconsider.
This may not directly affect many of you, however, if you would consider looking at this website and signing the petition if you agree it would make a BIG difference.
Thanks.
From a quick review of the data that was posted the following statment stuck out to me:
"...the McLean Creek location (MC1) was identified as a potential location for a dry dam on the Elbow River. However, it was noted that construction costs for MC1 would be higher, the complexity of construction would be higher and environmental costs were likely to be higher..."
Further review of the two detailed reports from AMEC and it looks like McLean Creek was more than 80% more expensive than the Springbank option. Even if you factor in the fact that they need to buy private land, I have a hard time believing that it makes McLean Creek more economical.
From a quick review of the data that was posted the following statment stuck out to me:
"...the McLean Creek location (MC1) was identified as a potential location for a dry dam on the Elbow River. However, it was noted that construction costs for MC1 would be higher, the complexity of construction would be higher and environmental costs were likely to be higher..."
Further review of the two detailed reports from AMEC and it looks like McLean Creek was more than 80% more expensive than the Springbank option. Even if you factor in the fact that they need to buy private land, I have a hard time believing that it makes McLean Creek more economical.
That 80% number may be true...can't say (did they get multiple bids?). Having said that I'm not arguing that Springbank is cheaper. It all depends on whether people want to consider the value of options that aren't the cheapest or easiest. And to consider the long term.
I'm not saying what anyone else should prefer...but as an un-objective person here I have a preference. I say IMBY!!!! As in 'in my backyard' (McLean) because that is upstream of Redwood, I'm sure most of you would do the same.
Also, putting on a big Government hat for a second. Taking on a more labour intensive option might have economic benefits that are wiser than might appear at first glance...doubly so if it may help long term tourism near Calgary (i.e. keep Bragg Creek un-bermed, Create a new pond in the McClean Creek area).
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"WHAT HAVE WE EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US????" -Oiler Fan
"It was a debacle of monumental proportions." -MacT
Then you should probably move, because regardless of what they do, it will flood there again.
BTW Redwood was the only place I can think of that survived the brunt of the flood unscathed.
It was close though.
I actually discovered the breach that volunteers battled for 24 hours, before retreating, evacuating and then returning to successfully reinforce.
If that breach at the rivers corner had broken (like the fire department believed it would), the whole town of 300 houses would have been swept away in a torrent. Exactly like the house from Bragg on the news.
So yeah, whatever solution will mitigate the risk of this drama in Bragg Creek and Redwood (and by extension Springbank and Calgary) is a good investment in my book.
__________________
"WHAT HAVE WE EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US????" -Oiler Fan
"It was a debacle of monumental proportions." -MacT
Last edited by Fozzie_DeBear; 02-24-2015 at 06:13 PM.
There are a lot of variables at play here, and a lot of people were affected by the flood.
There needs to be a reason the government would move the dam downstream of the Bragg Creek dam.
If it is due to costs and complexity of construction (as it appears to be based on posts in this thread), I may well support that. After all, the taxpayers are funding this flood mitigation.
As I don't live in the area, have time to read the AMEC reports and drive out to both sites, sit and reflect on all that I have learned... I sort of have to trust our government on this one unless I see some irrational reason for them picking a site.
I think the best part of this Dam McLean part is where they are going to have move that bridge that they just spent the last few years fixing. It will not affect any of the trails that are on the designated trail map in the FLUZ. They can do whatever dam work out there they please as long as the flood repair work that's scheduled for McLean,Ghost,Cataract creek and Kananaskis continues as planned.
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Westerner by birth, Canadian by law, Albertan by the grace of God
Flood mitigation help needed by CP'ers
