The map of Vancouver flood plain is not only an informational resource but also a visual tool to see how the city is impacted by rising sea levels. Moreover, it allows the reader to make informed decisions about the zoning and restoration of the floodplain area.
Climate change
As the climate continues to change, the Vancouver Flood Plain is at risk. This area of Metro Vancouver is one of the most vulnerable to climate change. If climate change intensifies, flooding could cause catastrophic damage to the region.
As a result, the city has invested tens of millions of dollars on flood dikes. However, those dikes still pose risks of failure during a major flood. Several of the city’s buildings are located in the 100-year flood plain.
The University of Southampton placed Vancouver in the top 20 cities in the world at risk for flooding. The city is also among the most unaffordable in North America. The region has an average home price of $1.2 million.
A national mapping project has been launched to help the public understand the impact of flooding. This project allows users to analyze the risk of flooding across Canada by analyzing one-by-one kilometre areas of land. This will help the community identify vulnerable areas and plan to respond to the potential of floods.
The project is being funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the University of Victoria’s Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC). PCIC is an adjunct professor at UVic and conducts research on climate variability in the Pacific and Yukon regions.
This mapping project was launched to educate the public on the impacts of flooding due to climate change. The maps show where the Fraser River can overflow and identify areas that may be susceptible to flooding.
Flood experts say the same dynamic will play out over the region as a whole. This could mean large swaths of the metro area will be under water by the year 2100. The Fraser Basin Council estimates that 200,000 people will be displaced in the Metro Vancouver area.
If the region continues to increase its greenhouse gas emissions, the cost of flood damages could reach $820 million annually. That figure is based on an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenario. This would equate to an average of $4,400 per person in the Metro Vancouver area each year.
During the 2015 season, B.C. experienced unprecedented storm surges, wildfire smoke and above-average heat. These disasters have devastated the province’s economy.
Rising sea levels
In Vancouver, BC, the sea level is expected to rise around a metre in the next century. This has led many people to worry about what the city could look like in the future. In response, the government has developed a plan to protect the city. However, there are still areas of the city that remain vulnerable to flooding.
One of the most recent reports, commissioned by the city, is a mapping project that shows how rising sea levels will impact communities across the Lower Mainland. The study looks at 221 areas where flood inundation could occur. It also offers strategies to mitigate the threat.
The report includes a description of the data and methods used to develop the map. It also identifies options to respond to the coastal flood risk.
As part of its Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, the city hired a firm to conduct the assessment and create high-level adaptation tools. The firm, Ebbwater Consulting, is based in Vancouver and specializes in assessing flood risks.
The firm also developed new methods to assess risk. Its first report identified the flood hazards. It then created a new floodplain map. A second report identified new construction levels.
In addition to the above reports, the Insurance Institute of Canada is working to prepare a set of maps to determine the risks. The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates that at least 500,000 homes in Canada are at risk of flood in the coming years.
The District of West Vancouver has also started making preparations for rising sea levels. The agency has adopted a flood construction level bylaw that will improve the region’s coastal infrastructure. The district has also created a Foreshore Development Permit Area to enhance flood resilience.
While the risk of extensive flooding is low, it’s important to be prepared for the worst. The insurance industry is working to develop flood risk maps. The mapping project will allow users to see the potential impacts of climate change on the entire region, down to a one-by-one kilometer tract.
There are still more studies needed in the most vulnerable regions. As more glaciers melt, the sea level is expected to rise, increasing the risk of flooding.
Floodplain zoning
Coastal areas of Metro Vancouver are at risk of flooding from climate change. Flood maps can be used to guide the development of bylaws that define the areas in which specific land uses may be approved. However, not all local governments have conducted this type of study.
This is the first step to making sure that local governments adopt appropriate protection measures. The Province has a program for sharing the costs of developing flood maps. This is also a requirement of the local government act. This law also sets out the process by which a municipality can enact a bylaw.
Two-dimensional modelling has been used to predict how much water will be inundating specific areas, and to estimate the depth of the flood. The result is a flood depth map, which is used to inform the design of flood control lines, slabs, and wooden floor systems. In some cases, the mapping may not be accurate because of changes in ground conditions.
The Government of British Columbia also has a program for providing floodplain maps. The program started in the 1970s in response to a large Fraser River flood that caused extensive damage to the BC interior. The program was referred to as the Floodplain Development Control Program. In 1987, the program was upgraded to the Canada/British Columbia Agreement Respecting Floodplain Mapping. This entailed shared federal-provincial funding and a gradual increase in the rate of mapping.
The provincial government’s official guide to floodplain zoning was compiled by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC). This publication contains a wealth of information about the history and current state of floodplain mapping in BC.
In addition, the APEGBC has developed a series of Professional Practice Guidelines on legislated flood assessments. They cover a variety of topics, including riparian area setbacks, hazard maps, and flood control measures. This information is meant to supplement and complement the floodplain mapping information already available.
Flood mapping studies should include a range of information, including cultural context, land use regulations, reports, and street names. These studies are not a substitute for an official community plan, but they can provide some of the information needed to inform the community’s development.
Floodplain restoration
Floodplain restoration is one way to improve water quality and habitat for fish and wildlife. It can also reduce downstream flood risks. It can also help to restore natural riverine flow. But funding is a major obstacle to recovery. In some cases, communities have to pay for larger culverts. A key requirement for a sustainable program is a long-term commitment of funding.
The Federal Government has developed initial guidance on flood mitigation, including Floodplain and Stream Restoration and Aquifer Storage and Recovery. This helps guide communities in developing flood reduction activities. It encourages them to incorporate mitigation efforts that address climate change. It has also developed a series of Flood Diversion and Storage projects.
According to a report by the Fraser Basin Council, sea levels are expected to rise half a metre by the end of the century. This means that by the end of the century, there is a 1% chance that flooding will occur each spring. It also means that a 100-year flood will happen about once every 10-20 years in some places.
The Fraser River is protected by over 60 kilometers of dikes, but the majority of them are not designed to meet provincial standards. The report estimates that upgrading the dikes could cost $865 million.
A draft report on the regional flood strategy is slated for release in 2019. The report was supposed to outline priorities and costs. However, a number of local First Nations have expressed frustration with the process. Some communities have started work on their own plans, but others are still waiting for the report.
The East Lents floodplain is unique. It has a morphology that is more like an alluvial fan than a typical floodplain. In addition, its sediment has a different composition than other rivers. This may result in higher concentrations of contamination in the restored flood basin. It also acts as a trap for sediment, which lowers the catchment-wide sediment budget.
The East Lents floodplain restoration project was completed in three phases. It improved watershed conditions, and helped to increase the complexity of the creek’s flow. It also created passive recreational activities for residents.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.