October 2023

Hillhurst Sunnyside Flood Mitigation Projects Map 2023-10

A: Projects complete, under construction or in final design:

7: Upper Plateau Separation:

A dedicated pipe for upper plateau stormwater that will bypass Sunnyside via a new tunnel. (to be operational Dec 2023, fully complete summer 2024)

SSLS: Sunnyside Sanitary Lift Station Replacement

This lift station was upgraded for flood resiliency (complete).

PS#2: Sunnyside Storm Lift Station Upgrade (Pump Station #2)

The lift station has been upgraded for flood resiliency and its pumping capacity was more than doubled. (complete)

PS#1: New Sunnyside Storm Lift Station (Pump Station #1)

A new lift station to drain overland flooding on Memorial Drive, and prevent localized flooding in the southeast area of Sunnyside. (complete)

6: Kensington CDI / Gladstone Connect:  Will drain water from much of Hillhurst via Pump Station #2 when river outfall gates are closed due to high river levels. (in final design – to be complete in 2024).

2: 1st Avenue CDI Infrastructure: To connect west Sunnyside (and Kensington) to PS#2 when river outfall gates are closed (complete).

3: 7th Ave CDI Infrastructure: To increase capacity to handle heavy rainfall at all times. (complete)

4: Sunnyhill Lane CDI Infrastructure: To increase capacity to handle heavy rainfall at all times, and to prevent the buildup of ice due to seepage from the bluff. (complete)

 Sunnyside Flood Barrier: This barrier will meet the provincial and federal flood standard of 1 in 100-year flood level. (in final design – to be operational by December 2025).  It will include a groundwater seepage collection trench along Memorial Drive to protect the stability of the barrier and nearby infrastructure between the Calgary Curling Club and 7th Street (in final design).

PS#4: Hillhurst Pump Station #4 will drain that part of Hillhurst west of 14th Street when river outfall gates are closed due to high river levels (in early design – site selection to be confirmed).

Gravel Bar Modifications: Gravel bars deposited by the 2013 flood east of Centre Street and west of 10th Street have the potential to support large vegetation that will become obstructions during future floods.  These gravel bars must be modified so future river flow is not impeded. (Centre Street: complete; 10th Street: detail design scheduled for 2024)

B: Advocacy in progress:

BRRO: Flood Mitigation Upstream on the Bow River (provincial – not shown on this map)

A new upstream dam and reservoir on the Bow River will provide water security/drought mitigation, flood mitigation for all Bow River communities and possibly new recreational opportunities and additional hydro electric generation. (completion 15-20 years in the future)

Flood Hazard Maps: Revised maps will show the flood risk in river valley communities.  When the Sunnyside Flood Barrier Project is complete the identified risk for Hillhurst Sunnyside should be reduced to “protected flood fringe”.   This should be reflected in associated regulations and bylaws (provincial and city).  The result will be planning and building rules that protect Hillhurst and Sunnyside without damaging the social and physical character of the neighbourhoods.  It is hoped that insurance companies will recognize the reduced risk and offer lower premiums for flood insurance.

Sunnyside Flood Barrier Information Session- October 4th

The City will be hosting an in-person information session Wednesday, October 4th to share details on the Sunnyside Flood Barrier project design and upcoming construction.

When: Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Drop-in from 7:00 – 9 p.m.
No registration required

Where: Sunnyside School (211 7 St N.W.)

What: Community members are invited to drop in and learn more about the flood barrier
design, construction timelines, tree removals & salvage plans and what to
expect while work is underway. Project team members will be on hand throughout the evening to share information and answer questions.

For more information, visit the the City of Calgary’s Sunnyside Flood Barrier page.

Project Map

Project Map

May 2021: Aep- Bow River Reservoir options newsletter

2021-05 AEP-Bow River Reservoir Options Newsletter

Alberta Environment and Parks continues to consider options to build additional reservoir capacity on the Bow River to reduce the impact of flood and drought on Albertans and the economy.  Click the link above to view the newsletter providing information on what was done during the conceptual assessment and what is planned for the feasibility study.  In addition to public opportunities for engagement with this process HSCA, through the EPARC Infrastructure Group, will participate directly in feasibility study engagement. 

January 2020

Summary

Below is a high-level summary of the two areas of input where we sought feedback: 

1.             The priority ranking of the Triple Bottom Line social criteria

2.             The community’s assessment of the social impacts for each of the four barrier options developed.

Social criteria ranking

Based on the collective feedback from 81 participants, equality of protection, impact on vulnerable populations, and the impact on the mental well-being of residents were considered to be the most important social criteria. Impacts on recreational areas, pathways and the community fabric were considered less important social criteria by participants.

The community’s feedback will be taken into consideration as we finalize the weighting of the social criteria to ensure that community concerns are reflected in Administration’s recommendation to Council. This feedback will be considered alongside technical analysis on economic and environmental impacts as part of the projects Triple Bottom Line evaluation.

Community feedback on barrier options

We also asked residents to share their perceived benefits and concerns with each flood barrier option. Understanding the community’s point of view will help the project team as we begin to assess the social impact of each option.

In general, while residents appreciate how the lower flood barriers options are less intrusive to the overall look and feel of the area by having the least impact on trees and river views, they are concerned that these solutions don’t reduce the risk of flooding in Sunnyside enough. They are also concerned that these options are more dependent on an upstream reservoir on the Bow River, which leads to heightened fear and anxiety.

As the level of protection increases, residents are more satisfied with the equality of flood protection and the sense of security it affords. There are concerns that building the highest level of protection could disrupt the community fabric and aesthetics of the natural environment. In addition, while a higher flood barrier may reduce their stress and anxiety in the long-term, they are also concerned about the potential long timeline for construction. 

Next steps

•              Going forward, we’ll be using the community’s feedback in the social analysis of each flood barrier option. We will also evaluate the options based on their economic and environmental impact. 

•              Once the analysis is complete, we will share the recommended barrier option with the community in 2020. From there, it will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee for Utilities and Corporate Services in April 2020 during the annual Flood Resilience Plan Update.

•              The Province’s October budget announcements and subsequent $81 million cut to the Alberta Community Resilience Program will affect The City’s ability to fund and construct this project. Administration is examining options and will return to Council with an update also during the Flood Resilience Plan Update in April.

September 2019- northwest inner city community drainage improvement

Updates- Northwest Inner City Community Drainage Improvement Projects

september 2019- attend the city’s open house on the sunnyside berm project

Attend the City Open House on the Sunnyside Berm Project and show your support for adequate flood protection for our community.  The City will be providing details about the options that they have studied.

When:            Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 5 to 8 p.m.

Where:           Sunnyside School gymnasium, 211 7th St. N.W.

Be sure to check out the documentation below on why flood protection must be a priority.

Sunnyside Needs a Higher Berm

July 2019- Sunnyside Flood Projects

Check out the latest bi-monthly update prepared for the HSCS, EPARC - Infrastructure Group from Water Resources.

July 2019 Sunnyside Flood Projects

Concerns with the city’s plans for the Sunnyside flood Barrier/Berm

The HSCA EPARC – Infrastructure Group has developed nine reasons why the City’s 1:20 plan is inadequate.  The full documentation of these concerns is found in the file linked below:

Community Emergency Plan

The Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Emergency Plan (CEP) is designed to complement Calgary’s Municipal Plan and provide targeted information specific to Hillhurst Sunnyside residents. It should be used as a companion to your Household Emergency Action Plan.

Please view/download the document at the link below:

HS Community Emergency Plan

2017 Update

HSCA EMERGENCY PLANNING AND RESPONSE COMMITTEE (EPARC)
Update as of February 2017

  1. EPARC
    Chair: David Brindle

  2. Infrastructure sub committee
    Lead: Charlie Lund
    Meetings: approx. monthly (as required). Minutes posted on HSCA website for more information and updates.

  3. Interim Mitigation sub committee
    Lead: vacant

  4. Community Emergency Planning sub committee
    Lead: vacant

Achievements in the last 4 years:

  • The sanitary lift station is being rebuilt
    http://www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Pages/construction-projects/Construction-projects-and-upgrades/Sunnyside-Sanitary-Lift-Station-Replacement.aspx

  • Pump Station #2 is funded and well into detail design, with construction to start soon‎
    Pump Station #1 is funded and starting detailed design (this project is jointly funded by the City , Provincial and Federal governments)

  • The North West Inner City Drainage Study recommends the Upper Plateau Separation project. This project is on the Calgary Drainage Improvement (CDI) list and will be funded by the City and built when it reaches the top of the CDI priority list. In addition the City has identified it for possible future Alberta Community Resiliency Program funding, which could accelerate it.
    Same for Pump Stations #3 and #4.

  • The City is expected to recommend that local barrier (ie berm) improvements ‎be built soon, without waiting for an upstream dam.

While much has been achieved there remains much more to do.

Future priorities (not necessarily in this exact order – a number can be concurrent):

  1. Upper Plateau Separation project funded and built

  2. Adequate berm improvements, including ground water protection, recommended, funded and built

  3. Province/Transalta to armour the Ghost reservoir shoreline

  4. Provincial approval, funding and construction of an upstream dam

  5. Pump Station #3 funded and built

  6. Pump Station #4 funded and built

Useful links:

Resources

Emergency Planning & Response Committee Documents

 

Community Response & Resiliency Division Documents

 

Additional Resources

This letter to Brian Mason, Alberta Minister of Infrastructure asks that the provincial government request federal funding for the projects identified by the City of Calgary as flood mitigation priorities over and above ACRP.

 

Flood Permit Grant Program

Information Sheet (Final) – Flood Permit Grant Permit Program – 01 14 2015 (3)

The Flood Permit Grant Program is jointly funded by the Canadian Red Cross and the City of Calgary and is being offered to residential property owners in Calgary who are facing financial challenges repairing, restoring or rebuilding their homes after the June 2013 flood.

City’s blog – http://www.calgarycitynews.com/2014/09/joint-permit-assistance-program-welcome.html

Application process – http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Pages/Flood/Flood-permit-grant-program.aspx

Adapting to Severe Weather

Alberta Flood Relief Financial Assistance Program

The Salvation Army is pleased to announce our new Alberta Flood Relief Financial Assistance Program.  Attached you will find an application package that you may refer to clients.  The application is also online at:

www.salvationarmy.ca/alberta/flood-relief-assistance/

I have also attached a poster for use in your location to promote this program. We are relying on partners like you to spread the word as widely as possible to residents in Southern Alberta about this program and the pending deadline of July 31, 2014.

Clients with any further questions are to be made directly to our Public Relations office (403) 410-1122  or by email at info_ab@can.salvationarmy.org

Thank you for your cooperation and all you do in assisting those in need throughout our communities.

Presentations

Bow River Basin Flood Presentation:

This narrated presentation by ‎Brad Stelfox is titled “The 2013 Bow River Basin Flood – Seeking Context and Understanding the Big Picture”‎ and it is similar to what he presented at the April 9 “Understanding Calgary’s Watershed – Implications to Flood Management” community meeting at HSCA.

Additional Presentations: