Flooding on Rural Landscapes - April 04, 2014

Flooding on Rural Landscapes - April 04, 2014

The Legislation and Policy Committee is hosting a workshop on Flooding on Rural Landscapes: Responsibilities and Liabilities at the Cochrane Ranchehouse on Friday April 4th, 2014 from 8:30am – 3:30pm.

The four themes of the workshop are below.

1. Understanding flood dynamics: There will be flooding in the Bow Basin in the future. Each flood will be different. Flooding is designed by nature and provides many benefits to the natural world. Riparian areas are regenerated through flood events through influx of sediments, nutrients and energy. Flooding occurs where energy dissipation is possible. Re-channelization occurs within floodplains and creates new floodways.

2. Impacts on Rural landscapes: Rural areas and small urban centres can be devastated in a flood. Not only loss of homes and businesses but contaminated wells and inundated septic systems. Landscapes remain under water for the growing season. Rural areas do not have the capacity to deal with floods the same way as in large urban centres.

3. Taking a broad comprehensive approach to planning for flood events: There are some locations where rebuilding is not an option. These locations need to be identified and managed as natural areas that can accommodate future flood events. The landscapes perform the flood mitigation or flood accommodation function necessary to sustain the river or stream corridor. Relocation of some dwellings and businesses should be ongoing. Land use planning in flood risk areas needs an overhaul. Flood-proofing should not be an option.

4. Understanding the social/political effects of flooding: Understanding the reality of social, political and economic costs associated with large scale flood events needs to remain top of mind. Who benefits and who pays from inappropriate land use in flood risk areas? Who should bear the risk?

If you would like to attend please register by using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/brbc-lp-flooding-on-rural-landscapes-responsibilities-and-liabilities-tickets-10976516055

More details to follow......

Thank you,

Mike Murray
Program Manager

http://www.brbc.ab.ca/

Bow River Basin Council, Phone: 403.268.4597, Fax:403.268.6931
Email: mike.murray@calgary.ca, www.brbc.ab.ca
Manchester Building M
Mail Code #414, P.O. Box 2100 Station M, Calgary, AB T2P 2M5