It is important to remember that the upstream communities of Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows are not forgotten and will, in fact, have flood protections in place before Calgary will be protected by the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project (SR1).
Bragg Creek Flood Mitigation Project
Project proponent: Rocky View County
Level of protection: 1:100 year flood event
Project status: unknown
Anticipated completion: Fall 2019
Landscaped earthen berms and retention walls will be erected along the Elbow River, from the hamlet’s southwest corner at Highway 758 near the Bragg Creek Provincial Park boundary to Burnside Drive at the northeast end of the hamlet. Additional works will be built to protect properties along Bracken and Yoho Tinda roads on the hamlet’s opposite side of the river.
The project is executed by Rocky View County and financed by $27 million provided by the provincial government and a $5.8-million federal grant.
The project is not subject to federal environmental review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012) but is subject to review under the provincial Water Act and stakeholder consultation.
The County started acquiring project lands in May 2017. To date, approximately 65% of project lands are acquired. It should be noted that all project lands must be in-place to start construction.
Related links:
- Bragg Creek Flood Mitigation Project website on rockyview.ca
- Latest project update – April 2018
- Flood mitigation information on Bragg Creek – Gateway to Kananaskis™ website
- Airdrie Today – Bragg Creek Flood Mitigation Project set for construction (June 2019)
- Airdrie Today – Land transfer for flood mitigation project approved (December 2018)
- County News Online – County presents Bragg Creek flood-mitigation project (March 2017)
- Cochrane Today – Opportunty for Bragg and Redwood residents to share flood concerns (September 2016)
- Cochrane Today – Flood mitigation project underway for Bragg Creek (December 2015)
It must be mentioned that these mitigation measures have not gone without opposition. Neighboring Tsuut’ina Nation have spoken out against the project in the media and filed a statement of concern with Alberta Environment in spring 2018.
- Calgary Herald – Tsuut’ina Nation opposes flood mitigation project in Bragg Creek
- CBC News – Tsuut’ina nation flags concerns over Bragg Creek flood mitigation
- Global News – Tsuut’ina Nation ‘vigorously opposes’ Bragg Creek berm project (video)
- StarMetro Calgary – Tsuut’ina concerned Bragg Creek berming will flood land, impact water quality
- 660 News – Tsuut’ina Nation fighting flood mitigation project in Bragg Creek
Any questions or comments regarding this project can be directed to Rafeal Odie, Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects, at 403-520-7292 or rodie@rockyview.ca.
We hope this post sheds more light on the protections planned for Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows. For more of our past posts on these projects read:
- July 2017 – Bragg Creek flood mitigation scheduled ahead of Springbank Project
- March 2017 – Good news for Bragg Creek
- December 2018 – 7 key points on SR1: MLA Greg Clark responds to Rocky View County news on CBC Eyeopener
If you have questions or comments for us, reach out at info@crcactiongroup.com.
Regards,
Your CRCAG Board