Grand Forks, BC – The City of Grand Forks invites residents to a meeting on November 18th from 5-8 pm at the Secondary School Auditorium to learn about floodplain mapping, planning, and restoration opportunities that will improve public safety and enhance community sustainability efforts.
The meeting will showcase information from a Flood Hazard Study conducted by Urban Systems starting well before record-setting flooding of the Kettle and Granby Rivers devastated the North Ruckle, South Ruckle, and Johnson Flats neighbourhoods.
“The new floodplain maps clearly show potential areas for future flooding,” explains Strategic Initiatives & Flood Recovery Manager Graham Watt.
“This will help us inform residents about flood hazards and support emergency planners in the development of appropriate responses to major and minor flooding.”
The maps will also inform development of a new City floodplain bylaw this winter that will be used by homeowners, developers, and City staff help prevent flood damage to structures, living spaces, and/or vulnerable infrastructure. The bylaw will regulate foundation heights and setbacks from water bodies for new construction or redevelopment.
“This new information will also support next year’s updates to the City’s Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw,” says Watt.
“Any amendments will help protect future development and occupants from flood and erosion hazards, safeguard floodplains and riparian areas as natural assets, and prevent needless losses in future flood events.”
The City will have these maps available for viewing at City Hall and the new Resilience Centre at 7261 Riverside Drive.
For more information about the campaign or recovery efforts, contact Graham Watt at [email protected] or 250-442-4159.