People and communities along the Fraser River will be better protected from flooding with dike improvements, and enhanced flood-mitigation and watershed-restoration projects.

“We know people living in the Fraser Valley are concerned about a repeat of the devastating November 2021 flooding, particularly as we expect more climate-related events in the years to come,“ said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “By investing in flood-mitigation and watershed-restoration projects, we are better protecting people and businesses along the Fraser River from future flooding.”

Metro Vancouver, Leq’á:mel First Nation, Fraser Valley Regional District and the District of Hope will share approximately $7.5 million to increase flood resilience along the banks of the Coquihalla River, Fraser River and Hatzic Lake, including critical watersheds.

“As the challenges facing B.C.’s watersheds continue to grow, climate resiliency has never been more important,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and Minister Responsible for Fisheries. “Investing in flood-mitigation and watershed-restoration projects ensures we have healthy ecosystems and communities today, and for future generations of British Columbians.”

The funding will be divided between the communities for four projects.

Barnston Island dike improvements

Metro Vancouver will receive approximately $5.3 million for Barnston Island dike improvements to ensure the island can withstand a once-in-50-years flood to keep people safe and enable farming activity to continue. The funding will also support other flood-risk-reduction work, such as updating dike assessments, flood infrastructure improvements and design standards.

Leq’á:mel First Nation watershed recovery capacity

Leq’á:mel First Nation will receive $1.2 million for watershed recovery capacity. The funding will enable Leq’á:mel First Nation to offer support and leadership, and guide flood-recovery-related projects affecting the Leq’á:mel First Nation’s territory. It will also support timely and collaborative approaches to the delivery of watershed recovery programs that protect residents, farmers and infrastructure.

Hatzic Lake flood mitigation

The Fraser Valley Regional District will receive $500,000 to offer support and leadership in the Hatzic Lake flood-mitigation planning table and support actions to reduce flood risk in the Hatzic Lake flood zone.

Lower Coquihalla watershed resiliency

The District of Hope will receive $500,000 for Lower Coquihalla watershed resiliency planning that looks beyond traditional flood infrastructure, encompasses regional partners and works toward building resilience to future flooding.

Quick Facts:

• Since 2017, the Province has funded more than 1,500 disaster risk-reduction projects throughout B.C., totalling more than $185 million and including $145 million to support approximately 380 flood-risk-reduction projects.
• In April 2023, the City of Abbotsford received $3.2 million for Barrowtown pump station flood-protection upgrades and $5.3 million for additional recovery projects.
• In February 2023, $5 million supported shoreline stabilization to complement a new dike project along the Fraser River to better protect Sqwá First Nation, Shxwhá:y Village and Chilliwack from flooding.
• In November 2022, the Province provided $1.6 million for permanent Sumas Dike repairs.

A backgrounder follows.