Province announces $3.3 million for Heart Creek flood mitigation

The province of Alberta announced a slate of flood mitigation projects Friday (Feb. 26) will be funded through the Community Resilience grant program including one in the Bow Valley.
Five municipalities and one First Nation will receive a total of $25 million in funding to build flood barriers, protect or relocate critical water management infrastructure and address public safety and access issues.
That includes $3.3 million for the MD of Bighorn for mitigation for the mountain creek Heart Creek that puts the hamlet of Lac Des Arcs and the Trans-Canada Highway at risk.
“It’ s been two and a half years since floodwaters swept across southern Alberta, devastating families and businesses and inflicting serious damage to our infrastructure and economy,” said Premier Rachel Notley at a press conference in Calgary. “As we move forward with the Springbank Reservoir project, it’ s critical to also invest in our local flood defences to ensure people are safe, infrastructure is protected, and businesses continue to operate without interruption.”
It is the second round of funding for the grant program and in addition to Bighorn Turner Valley, the Siksika Nation, Chestermere, Drumheller and the City of Calgary also received funds. In fact, Calgary received the largest share of $12.8 million for two projects.
For Bighorn, the money will help pay for work on a 350 metre diversion berm at the Trans-Canada Highway near Heart Creek and a diversion channel below highway grade in addition to channel upgrades to increase its width and armour it with rip rap within Lac Des Arcs.
The Alberta Community Resilience Program is providing $500 million in grant funding over 10 years to municipalities, special areas, improvement districts, First Nations and Métis Settlements to help ensure public safety and protect critical municipal infrastructure. The next submission deadline for the Alberta Community Resilience Program is September 30, 2016.