The Coldwater River flowing down what used to be Pine Street in Merritt in 2021 (Image Credit: Greg Lowis / City of Merritt)

By Zachary Stewart-Q101

Flood Mapping

Flood mapping coming to the Nicola and Coldwater rivers

Apr 25, 2023 | 10:00 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — The City of Merritt is getting more help in disaster planning in the form of flood mapping.

The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and the Ministry of Forests are conducting flood-hazard mapping in five initial areas, including the Nicola and Coldwater rivers in Merritt.

“Coming out of the 2021 flood, the City of Merritt has worked with communities up and down the Coldwater and Nicola rivers to create plans that reduce flood risk and support river restoration,” Sean Smith, City of Merritt CAO says. “In this process, we have seen an absolute need for holistic, regional watershed planning that isn’t limited by jurisdictional boundaries. Good decisions come from good data, and with a more consistent, regional approach to the flood-hazard mapping process, the public and decision makers will have more accurate data.”

The other mapping areas that are apart of the first five are:

• Fraser and Nechako rivers; Prince George area
• Bulkley and Skeena rivers; Terrace area
• Shuswap Lake
• Coquihalla and Fraser rivers; Yale to Mission area

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“With climate-related events becoming more frequent and severe, it’s essential that we invest in flood-hazard mapping so people and communities can understand and reduce their flood risks,” Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness says. “This work complements the development of our provincial Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment and will contribute to ClimateReadyBC, which helps communities access resources and understand risks.”

In total, there will be around 70 communities splitting $8.69 million for flood-hazard mapping by 2024. This investment also leverages $4.33 million in a federal funding commitment through the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program with Natural Resources Canada.

“Understanding the risk posed by floods is the first step in helping prevent the damage they can cause,” Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests says. “By providing more widespread flood-hazard mapping, we are providing communities with the tools they need to properly prepare for extreme weather as we all confront the challenges of climate change.”

The mapping for the Nicola and Coldwater rivers will begin in the next couple of months.