Well, Mother Nature won that one.
Anyone who doubts the power of our natural environment should have no illusions after the flood event the Bow Valley recently endured.
Water, as was demonstrated, is not only the basis for all life on this planet, it also has incredibly destructive properties. It’s those destructive properties, unfortunately, that were on display all over southern Alberta in the worst flood event ever.
On the upside, both during and in the aftermath of the flood, the spotlight shone brightly on all those who, valley-wide, chipped in to lend expertise, to help out, to soften the blow for those affected most adversely by the rising waters. Strong backs and fortitude were the order of the day(s).
With the sun back in the sky, a mini heat wave behind us and Environment Canada predicting more rain, the push will be on to get life back to as normal a situation as possible – and we urge caution here as not all reconstructive efforts will match the speed of getting the Trans-Canada Highway open again.
Just the like the boil water advisory that remains in place in some locations, it is likely that homeowners and businesses affected by flooding in some locations will face shortages of materials and manpower as so many are in the same situation.
As well, even here in one of the province’s premier tourism areas, closures may be the order of the day for some time, from Banff to Kananaskis Country, as trails, bridges and water courses have been badly damaged, if not completely altered, by the flooding.
The number $5 billion is now being tossed around as a possible damage estimate. Destruction as wide-spread as that caused by the June flood won’t be remedied in a hurry and with so much of the southern part of this province affected, it will take time.
In the meantime, as roadways and waterways are rebuilt or altered, questions remain.
First off, after the submerging of thousands of homes across southern Alberta and severe damage to many near waterbodies of all kinds (a la Cougar Creek), one has to ponder the sense of allowing construction and development near water and in floodplains. Sure, many properties that were damaged extensively in the flood have been in place for decades, and we realize water is a powerful draw for property developers and subsequent purchasers, but in future, should steps be taken to ensure development no longer occurs in what are likely to be threatened areas?
On the face of it, it makes little sense to continue building in areas known to be in a one in a 100 year floodplain where disaster could strike again any time.
And is it possible to drop that term entirely? If we just had the flood of a century, does that mean we’re safe until 2113? Of course not. Let’s just call those areas floodplains. For all anyone knows, the next one in 100 year flood could be next week, or in 2027 or 2101.
Then there’s the valley’s own Cougar Creek. Most of the time, it’s the driest, most benign watercourse one could imagine. No doubt many people, as they hike up Cougar Creek, are struck by the fact that it’s bone dry and very unlike a waterbody.
Today, though, everyone has seen the creek change from a trickle to a maelstrom in a matter of hours. While work is underway to repair and alter the current creekbed, no doubt a long-term plan, one that would alleviate future flash flood damage, is needed.
In the end, what’s more cost effective, to alter Cougar Creek now for the sake of safety, or to pay for damages incurred in future flood events?
