New funding was announced today for increased protection against flooding in Kelowna.
The Mill Creek Flood Protection project is receiving $22 million from the Government of Canada.
Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, was joined by Stephen Fuhr, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, and Colin Basran, Mayor of Kelowna announced the funding.
“The City of Kelowna is pleased to receive this important federal funding to support improvements to flood protection infrastructure around the Kelowna International Airport and other flood-prone sections of Mill Creek,” said Basran. “Our citizens have told us that we need to take action in the face of climate change, and today’s funding announcement marks a significant turning point toward reducing future flood impacts to our community.”
The flooding of Mill Creek in 2017 and 2018 resulted in record breaking stream overflows that impacted residents, parks, trails and roads.
Kelowna residents faced extensive property damage in nearby subdivisions, interrupted access to public services and businesses, and impacted the Kelowna International Airport.
The Mill Creek Flood Protection project will work to increase creek capacity through rehabilitating creek riverbanks, integrating increased drainage solutions, and adding new off-stream water storage areas.
Good to talk to members of @IAFF953 and @FuhrMP about important steps we can take to mitigate and manage floods and fires in the Kelowna area. pic.twitter.com/C9qgKYTvBA
— Ralph Goodale (@RalphGoodale) March 15, 2019
The increased creek capacity will not only significantly enhance the city’s ability to regulate water levels, and protect homes and businesses from future flooding, but will also improve fish spawning areas and protect local wildlife and ecosystems.
““In recent years, too many people have had to endure and recover from damage to their property as a result of climate change and extreme weather,” Fuhr said. “Those situations are dangerous in the moment, and the recovery is stressful and costly. Building infrastructure like this to better manage water is a reassuring step for people in Kelowna who have seen the damages up close.”
The contribution is coming from the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
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