Join Our Discussion: How can Alberta prevent future flooding?

The rain may have stopped, but flooding in Alberta is not over. We’re continuing the conversation on the Alberta WaterPortal and wanting to hear what you think. The below excerpt outlines five actions that were recently developed by leading Canadian water experts, to address future flood mitigation. What are your ideas? Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or email us. 

Southern Alberta has just experienced the worst flooding disaster in the province’s history. At the Canadian Water Summit, held on June 27, 2013 in Calgary, a group of leading water experts were asked the question: “What can we do to mitigate these flood situations in the future?” These experts put forth five actions that all levels of government should consider today to avoid the impacts of similar flood events in the future. 

1. Anticipate more extreme weather events and plan for them.  
2. Improve our operational predictive capacity through better modeling and data management. 
3. Invest in infrastructure such as on and off stream storage, diversions, and natural storage such as wetlands. 
4. Consider flood risks in municipal planning, including building in flood plains, and better engineering of electrical, mechanical and back-up systems.
5. Manage our water resources collaboratively, following the example of the Bow River Consortium, and ensure proper funding for the watershed planning and advisory councils across the Province.

Above all, leadership is vital.  The intention is to have these recommendations reviewed and expanded on by a broad audience, and then presented to all levels of government for their consideration. 

The Alberta WaterPortal is the vehicle for collecting input broadly, and for generating the dialogue that will shape these recommendations into significant action plans. Now, it’s your turn. Share your ideas with us through Facebook, Twitter or email us!