Province outlines flood mitigation options

The Alberta Government is moving forward with preliminary design, environmental review and community consultation on water diversion and other projects along the Elbow and Highwood Rivers.

"Our government is committed to ensuring Albertans are protected as much as possible from future flood events while at the same time respecting taxpayers dollars," said Robin Campbell, minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. "Moving forward with the projects and funding announced today is an important step toward reducing the impact of future floods on Alberta's people, infrastructure, economy and environment."

Mitigation projects include an off-stream storage site near Springbank Road to divert and store water from the Elbow River during flood conditions; a dry dam at the confluence of McLean Creek and the Elbow River to provide mitigation for Bragg Creek, Redwood Meadows and Calgary; a southern route for the Highwood River diversion to direct floor water around the town of High River and more.

The province has committed $600 million over the next three years to fund high priority flood mitigation projects.