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By Cam Lee

Flooding risk

Melfort, Tisdale, Cumberland House receive assistance in flood map update, expansion

Jul 4, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Three communities in the northeast will benefit from funding to update and expand flood maps.

The Water Security Agency (WSA) and Natural Resources Canada are committing $9 million on a 50/50 cost-sharing basis to the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP) until 2027-28.

Local communities with flood mapping projects underway include Melfort, Tisdale, and Cumberland House, while Moose Jaw and Regina are also undertaking flood mapping projects. The WSA said in a news release they will continue working with communities in progress, and other communities identified as being at-risk for potential flooding damage.

Sean Osmar of the Water Security Agency said they are taking a regional approach to aerial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) imaging that looks at terrain and gathers data.

He told northeastNOW that each community and region are different, so the combined data collection and modelling for one part of the province can vary elsewhere. The money will be combined to gather data on a region-by-region basis, which allows them to collect more data more efficiently.

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“The funding will allow WSA to obtain professional consulting services for the development of flood mapping products,” the news release said. “This information can help communities develop flood emergency management plans, develop and implement community plans and zoning by identifying floodplains, and identify flood mitigation needs and options.”

The WSA said their research shows that every dollar invested in flood prevention saves up to $20 in flood damages for each community.

“The information we collect will help us identify where risks are, which will lead to a better understanding of the mitigation and protection work required to keep people and communities safe,” Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency David Marit said in the news release.

“Flood maps are an essential part of building resiliency to natural disasters in our urban municipalities around the province,” SUMA President Randy Goulden said. “As the effects of climate change continue to grow, this resilience will enable our members, from the smallest villages to the largest cities, to continue to provide essential services to their residents.”

WSA recently completed a multi-year flood mapping study with the Town of Eastend, collecting data, performing hydraulic analysis, producing flood maps and holding information sessions with the community.

Mayor Jesse Gordon said in the release the process gave the town insight into the location and size of the floodplain, and what areas and infrastructure were most at risk.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK