Feds, province put up nearly $50M for series of flood prevention projects in Grand Forks, B.C.

GRAND FORKS, B.C.—A small city in south-central B.C. that sits at the confluence of the Granby and Kettle rivers is getting just shy of $50 million in joint federal and provincial funding to start construction on a series of flood prevention projects.

Grand Forks, B.C. endured major flooding during the spring thaw last May, with numerous homes and businesses seriously damaged.

“These measures to mitigate flooding and take people out of harm’s way in Grand Forks will go a long way in ensuring the devastating impacts of 2018 are not felt again,” François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of Infrastructure and Communities, said in a release. “This project will help protect families and their properties while also creating jobs and laying the groundwork for a strong sustainable economy and future for the community.”

Infrastructure Canada announced $19.9 million in funding for the city June 26. The province committed another $28.9 million to the effort, while the city contributed $1 million.

Grand Fork is just a few kilometres from the U.S. border and the Kettle River eventually flows into the Columbia River.

Much of the funding go will toward reclaiming property in the city’s most flood-prone neighbourhoods and moving residents to safer areas. Among the flood prevention measures covered are a reinforcements to a 1.3-kilometre river bank, reestablishing a natural flood plain in the city’s North Ruckle neighbourhood and building new retention ponds in South Ruckle. Construction work to build or reinforce 2.3-kilometres of road and trail dykes is also included in the plan.

As part of a separate project, the province and city are spending $3.1 million for flood prevention in downtown Grand Forks.