| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
A group of Elk Valley local government officials and staff, industry representatives, and community members met at a critical meeting hosted at the City of Fernie chamber in July following the June 2013 flood. Participants agreed that the following were needed: 1) a better understanding of the current and future condition of the Elk River and its flooding behaviour; and, 2) a holistic flood strategy protecting residents, community infrastructure, as well as watershed function and wildlife. The Elk River Watershed Alliance (ERA) is an independent, non-profit community-based water group formed in 2010 that promotes a holistic approach to management of human actions in the Elk River watershed. ERA took on the challenge to coordinate the collection of the above requested information, and community input for proactive flood management. The Elk River Flood Strategy report (Flood Strategy) provides a review of how the local watershed functions within the larger environment, current and forecasted streamflow and flooding in the Elk Valley, effects of flooding on community, fish and wildlife, and effective measures available to help mitigate against future flood risk. The Flood Strategy team had substantive professional and local Elk River watershed experience, and included: the ERA, contractors, academics, local government staff, and dedicated ERA board members as a review team. Team backgrounds were diverse, including: environmental management, aquatic biology, municipal and water engineering, hydrology, hydraulics, and computer modelling. Elk Valley residents who experienced past flooding, provided critical observations and analysis of our local response, as well as suggestions for moving forward as a resilient, prepared citizenry and community |
