Summary

• Five flood-mitigation projects in Surrey will improve the city’s resilience against high-water events
• The projects are part of government’s investment of nearly $600 million for more than 3,000 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects throughout B.C. since 2017

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People, farms, neighbourhoods and businesses in Surrey will be better protected from periods of high water with the completion of several flood-mitigation projects supported by the Province, the federal government and the City of Surrey.

“Surrey is one of the fastest-growing communities in the province, and protecting people from the effects of climate change is essential,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “These projects protect low-lying areas in Surrey and help address future flood risk. I’m grateful for the collaboration between the Province, the federal government and the City of Surrey that made these projects possible.”  

Three projects focus on Serpentine River facilities

The Province committed nearly $5 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) to prevent water seepage and undermining of the Fry’s Corner drainage pump station. Additionally, raising and widening the dikes along the Serpentine River and Latimer Creek will safeguard important transportation corridors and agricultural lands, and support protection against a major flooding event. The Fry’s Corner drainage pump station improvements are complete, with the diking upgrades scheduled for summer 2027.

“By strengthening Surrey’s defences against flooding, we are helping to ensure people, homes and businesses are better protected as the risk of high-water events grows,” said Garry Begg, MLA for Surrey-Guildford. “These investments both improve public safety and provide greater community resilience for years to come.”

Other CEPF-funded projects on the Serpentine River include:

• Work is underway to improve the 64 Avenue drainage pump station and the drainage resiliency of the central Serpentine River. The Province committed $4 million from the CEPF to implement critical projects and initiatives aimed at reducing flood vulnerability and strengthening the community's flood resilience. Completion is scheduled for fall 2027.
• The Province contributed $5 million from the CEPF to build a new pump station near the 16000 block of 60 Avenue to ensure reliable drainage service during periods of high water on the Serpentine River. Completion is expected in late 2027.

Protecting homes, farms on Nicomekl River

Located along the Nicomekl River, another project will result in the replacement of three aging sets of culverts and dike raising, providing better protection to people, farms and businesses in Surrey.

Once completed, the project will help protect more than one kilometre of Highway 15 linking to the Pacific Highway border crossing, more than 50 buildings, including homes and barns, more than 400 hectares of agricultural lands, portions of 48 Avenue and 184 Street, and 500 metres of the provincial Roberts Bank Railway corridor.

Scheduled for completion in summer 2027, the $1.3-million project is funded through the Green Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Province provided more than $457,000, the federal government committed more than $548,000 and the City of Surrey contributed more than $365,000.

“In the face of climate change, disaster mitigation measures are more crucial than ever,” said Ernie Klassen, MP for South Surrey-White Rock. “Our government is proud to be a partner of the Nicomekl River dike rehabilitation project, which will increase community resilience and help protect Surrey against flooding risks. We will continue to work with our provincial and municipal partners to improve residents’ safety and build stronger communities.”

Living dike project completed

The now-completed Surrey living dike project received $300,000 from the Province and offers nature-based solutions for coastal flood protection on Mud Bay and Boundary Bay.

The living dike provides flood and erosion protection along Surrey’s coastline. A gentle, raised dike slope helps natural salt marshes migrate and re-establish in conjunction with sea-level rise. Various edge treatments, such as brushwood dams, oyster shells and cobbles were installed along the living dike as part of trial plots to determine the most successful method to dissipate waves and lower erosive forces on the dike. More than 50,000 salt-marsh plugs have been planted within the project site to support natural salt marsh progression and establish the living dike.

“These flood-mitigation projects are critical investments in the safety and resilience of our community,” said Brenda Locke, mayor of Surrey. “In recent years, we have seen the growing impacts of extreme-weather events, which have reinforced the need to strengthen Surrey’s flood-control infrastructure. By improving dikes, drainage systems and pump stations, we are protecting residents, homes, farms, businesses and key transportation corridors, while helping ensure our city is prepared for future challenges and remains safe for generations to come.”

Disaster preparedness throughout B.C.

Since 2017, the Province has provided nearly $590 million for more than 3,000 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects administered through the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. This includes more than $350 million provided to First Nations and local governments for more than 2,800 projects through the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.

The Province also established the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program to help First Nations and local governments strengthen defences against natural and climate-caused hazards. To date, more than $45 million has been committed for 67 projects throughout B.C.

The Province has also contributed about $429 million toward more than 177 projects under the Green Infrastructure stream of ICIP, with another $836 million committed by the federal government.

Learn More:

• For more information about the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program and how to apply, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/local-emergency-programs/financial/drif
• For information about the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca/cepf
• For information about disaster and climate-risk reduction and available supports, visit: https://www.ClimateReadyBC.ca
• For emergency-preparedness guides and resources, including flood preparedness, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/guides-and-resources