Funding has been announced by the Government of Canada for the Mill Creek Flood Protection project in Kelowna, British Columbia.
The flooding of Mill Creek in 2017 and 2018 resulted in record breaking stream overflows that impacted residents, parks, trails, and roads. Kelowna residents faced extensive property damage in nearby subdivisions, interrupted access to public services and businesses, and impacted the Kelowna International Airport.
The Mill Creek Flood Protection project will work to increase creek capacity through rehabilitating creek riverbanks, integrating increased drainage solutions, and adding new off-stream water storage areas. The increased creek capacity will enhance the city’s ability to regulate water levels and protect homes and businesses from future flooding. It will also improve fish spawning areas and protect local wildlife and ecosystems.
The funding announcement to support the Mill Creek Flood Protection project was made by Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. Minister Goodale was joined by Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, and Colin Basran, Mayor of the City of Kelowna.
“Taking concrete steps to adapt to the impacts of climate change is essential to ensuring a safe prosperous future for our families, our communities and the environment,” said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. “The Mill Creek Flood Protection project will better protect residents and businesses of Kelowna from future flooding events, and economic loss due to extreme weather. By investing in infrastructure that protects communities now, we are ensuring that Canadians can thrive and prosper for generations to come.”
The Government of Canada is contributing $22 million to this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). DMAF is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods.
