MAY 2018: Please note that this blog post was written in 2016 when the snowpack was lower than this year. The latest report from the BC River Forecast Centre has the Fraser snowpack at 109% of normal. Flow forecasts for the Fraser River at Hope are updated daily, and can be found here. Original 2016 […]
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February 2017 Update: Since originally writing this post, there has been a lot of movement internationally to develop a common language for risk. For example, the UN’s “open-ended intergovernmental expert working group on terminology relating to disaster risk reduction” has recently produced a comprehensive glossary of terms. The definitions are easier to read that the […]
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Many local governments in British Columbia have by-law and permitting requirements for local land owners whose properties lie within designated floodplains. Commonly, local governments require a letter from a qualified professional that provides information on the local flood hazard, and if any proposed changes to the property will affect the hazard. Ebbwater Consulting was hired […]
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The City of Vancouver has recognised that despite global mitigation efforts, climate change will impact the City’s future. Anticipated impacts include more intense and frequent wind and rain storms and sea level rise. Adaptation to these climate changes will require a mix of policy, planning and engineering responses. Prior to identifying preferred mitigation strategies, a […]
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The agricultural community of Delta, BC lies at the mouth of the Fraser River and is bordered on three sides by water. The majority of the agricultural land is both relatively flat and low, with half the land lying 1.5m or less above sea level. Given its proximity to water and the flat topography, in […]
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The Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) are exploring the topic of sea level rise and coastal flood risk with their membership. Urban Systems Ltd. (USL) was retained by TFN in early 2015 to help them explore this issue further; Ebbwater Consulting was then sub-contracted by USL to act as a flood risk advisor on the project. […]
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This post is the third in a series that describes the state of flood hazard mapping in British Columbia. If this piques your interest you can also check out: Our Maps Are Old How Old is Your Map? Why it matters that our maps are old? Knowing where, and how deep water will be during […]
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Sometimes it can be a challenge to grasp how natural events are changing over time. We often look at the mountains here in Vancouver and reflect on how “the skiing was so much better 20 years ago!” or we comment on how “summers have never been hotter!”, but these types of anecdotes are frequently tossed around […]
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Flood Risk Management By Tamsin Lyle and Deborah Harford Originally published in Construction Business: BC and Alberta’s Construction Magazine, March/April 2015 Vol 12. No. 3 Overland flooding is consistently Canada’s most costly and frequent natural hazard, posing catastrophic risks to Canada’s economy, infrastructure, environment, and citizens. This will only worsen due to the changing climate. […]
Read MoreThis post is the second in a series that describes the state of flood hazard mapping in British Columbia. If this piques your interest you can also check out: Our Maps Are Old People Living on BC Floodplains Why it matters that our maps are old? Last month, we reported that in general, the floodplain […]
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