Emergency Dike along the Coldwater River (Image credit: CFJC Today/File photo)

By Aaron Schulze

Coldwater River

More than $4 million in federal and provincial funding allocated for Coldwater River restoration in Merritt

Apr 12, 2024 | 7:00 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — The City of Merritt is receiving more than $4 million in government funding to restore riverbank and riverbed habitat along the Coldwater River.

In a news release issued Thursday (April 11), the Government of Canada announced the Coldwater River Flood Mitigation Pine Street Area project in Merritt was one of five disaster mitigation projects in B.C. to receive federal and provincial funding.

The federal Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities will provide just more than $2.3 million while the B.C. government will provide just more than $1.9 million. The City of Merritt will spend $1.5 million and is responsible for any additional costs.

The federal government says nearly five hectares of riverbank and riverbed habitat along the Coldwater River will be restored to help increase capacity to adapt to climate change impacts, natural disasters and extreme weather events.

The funding comes after the City of Merritt received word earlier this year that the federal government agreed to fund $46.5 million for the rebuilding of two dikes in the community. The funding comes after the flooding and atmospheric rivers in 2021.

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