Canmore council may not have officially approved a $40 million, 30-metre high debris flood retention structure for Cougar Creek yet, but work will begin immediately to further investigate the proposed mitigation project.
Council approved $250,000 on Tuesday night (Oct. 7) for a detailed geotechnical investigation of a debris flood retention structure recommended as long-term mitigation for the creek.
Not all councillors felt comfortable moving forward with the investigation without first approving the recommended option being considered, though, which won’t happen until November.
“I am troubled by this,” said Councillor Ed Russell. “It is presupposing the results and I don’t know if that is appropriate. Essentially, you are asking us to do this because you are pretty sure you know what the recommendation will be on Nov. 4.”
Manager of engineering Andy Esarte said he was hesitant to bring the project to council in advance, however, feedback from consultants indicated a short window of opportunity in October to complete the work.
Esarte said because of the specialized nature of the work, winter weather could postpone it until spring.
“It is a bit of a leap of faith to invest some money now to investigate,” he said, adding funds would come from a Flood Recovery and Erosion Control grant Canmore has received.
Esarte said the investigation supports the recommended analysis and goes further than the initial option analysis did.
“Now that we have a specific site, we would like to get in and confirm viability and understand the potential hydro technical risks,” he said. “The scope of work includes doing some drilling to sample material in the creekbed, as well as bedrock walls in the channel to allow us to determine the character of that material.”
Chief administrative officer Lisa de Soto added the investigation will determine if the recommended option is viable and the results may change elements of the final project.
Russell voted against the motion, but the rest of council supported moving forward at this stage with the work.
“I think it is important at each step that we keep our eye focused on the big picture here and that is protection for people and property,” said Coun. Sean Krausert, adding he would hate to see long-term mitigation work be delayed at this early stage.
