Keeping Coaldale and Lethbridge County safe from floods

For more than three decades, the Town of Coaldale and Lethbridge County, located within the Malloy Drainage Basin, have experienced destructive floods that can damage homes, businesses and public infrastructure. Together with the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID), the town and county have been working to address and mitigate the flooding dangers faced by their residents.

Thanks in large part to Alberta government funding, groundbreaking is now underway for a new stormwater management facility that will reduce the risk of overland flooding in the region. This will help protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure in southern Alberta for years to come.

“For decades, Coaldale has been vulnerable to flooding events that have impacted homes, businesses and essential infrastructure. This new stormwater management facility is a long overdue and much-needed investment in public safety and community resilience. We’re proud to be working alongside our regional partners to deliver a solution that not only protects our residents today, but also positions Coaldale for sustainable growth into the future,” said Jack Van Rijn, mayor, Town of Coaldale.

“We see significant value in this project. This facility is an investment in our communities to keep residents safe and protect the agricultural land that is so critical to the success of our region. By working in partnership with Coaldale and SMRID, we can ensure a lasting and long-term benefit for generations. Regional collaboration is essential to leveraging our collective resources and achieving outcomes that benefit the entire area,” said Tory Campbell, reeve, Lethbridge County.

Alberta’s government provided $3.73 million in funding through the Drought and Flood Protection Program to support critical community upgrades, including constructing new stormwater ponds and building a new South Coaldale regional stormwater management facility that will increase regional stormwater capacity and help combat overland flooding.

“This project is an important step toward protecting southern Albertans from future floods. By investing in the right infrastructure today, we’re building a safer, stronger province for generations to come,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.

“I am pleased to see work underway for a new facility to help Coaldale manage stormwater effectively and help to keep their homes, businesses and farmland protected. This is a great example of working together to build a more resilient future for the region,” said Grant Hunter, Associate Minister of Water.

The five-year, $125-million Drought and Flood Protection program is helping municipalities and Indigenous communities protect critical infrastructure from flooding and drought and improve public safety. The next round of funding applications will open in October, with another $25 million available to protect businesses, families and communities.