Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Lyle, TS. 2001. Non-structural flood management solutions for the lowe Fraser Valley, British Columbia. MRM Thesis, SFU.
Organization SFU
URL http://research.rem.sfu.ca/theses/LyleTamsin_2001_MRM285.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords In rivers without dams, or insufficient storage capacity flood hazard reduction has traditionally
been achieved using engineered structures. The objective is to move water away from
vulnerable land as fast as possible, by straightening and smoothing water channels. This reduces
the duration of a flood but increases the peak, the maximum volume of water flowing down a
channel. A natural approach uses the landscape to store as much water as possible by returning
flood plains to their natural state, so that water is gradually released back into streams and rivers.
Thus flood peaks are reduced, and the duration lengthened, as compared to engineered rivers.
This approach reduces risk, increases long-term economic gains and improves the environment
British Columbia’s approach the flood damage reduction does not endorse natural flood control.
This research project examines pathways to implement natural approaches to flood damage
reduction in the province Policy makers face numerous obstacles when considering nonstructural
approaches including: high flood plain land values, private property rights, interjurisdictional
issues, distributed responsibility, lack of information, awkward decision-analysis
frameworks, social costs and the difficulty of policy making under uncertainty. Various nonstructural
adjustments to flood damage reduction are proposed for the Lower Fraser Valley
including technical tools, policy objectives, policy instruments, policy paradigms, and best
practices. The choice of adjustment will depend on local conditions.
Solutions to overcome obstacles and implement policy alternatives include the more effective
use of existing Federal and Provincial legislation; numerous legislative barriers to non-structural
approaches to flood control must be removed. Second, basin-wide planning institutions, are
proposed as solutions to inter-jurisdictional, and the distribution of responsibility obstacles.
Third, the gradual discontinuance of post-disaster payments by the Federal and Provincial
governments, and the creation of a government aided flood insurance program, are suggested as
a means of shifting responsibility and liability to flood plain dwellers. Finally, increased flood
awareness among publics and policy makers is suggested to shift B.C.’s reactive structural
approach to flood damage reduction to a more proactive natural approach.
Information Type thesis
Regional Watershed Lower Fraser
Sub-watershed if known
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
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