Rebuilding a stronger Grand Forks

Funding provided through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund

In May 2018, spring flooding in Grand Forks devastated the community, resulting in widespread damage to homes and businesses. The impacts of this disaster forced over 3000 residents to evacuate, with extensive damage to over 500 homes, destroying critical infrastructure and disrupting essential services. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the community came together to rebuild and strengthen its infrastructure to help create a more resilient future for the years ahead.

In the immediate aftermath of the flood, work first began to relocate residents to safer locations. What followed was a drive to build new, stronger infrastructure that could better withstand and manage future spring thaws and floodings. Through extensive floodplain mapping, the community began to better understand where rising flood waters would go, significantly influencing the development of a mitigation plan to strengthen future flood mitigation and response.

The plan included the construction or reinforcement of over 3 kilometres of new dikes in strategic areas to help protect homes and businesses from rising waters. Further mitigation work included a new drainage system to help remove excess high groundwater and stormwater, supported by 1.7 kilometers of reinforced riverbank along the Johnson Flats channel, a re-established natural floodplain in North Ruckle, and new retention ponds in South Ruckle. The installation of fish habitat structures and planting of 28,000 trees and shrubs along the Kettle River channel banks and riparian areas provides further protection of the area’s wildlife and natural environment.

With the completion of this flood mitigation project, more than 400 Grand Forks residents are now protected from future flooding and extreme climate-related events, including river levels exceeding those recorded in 2018. By safeguarding homes, businesses, and livelihoods, the implementation of this mitigation plan will support the long-term prosperity of the community.

Quick facts

• The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) supports infrastructure that protects communities against the effects of climate change.

• To date, over $3.1 billion has been announced for more than 130 infrastructure projects that help communities better prepare for, and withstand, the potential impacts of natural disasters, prevent infrastructure failures, and help keep Canadians safe. The federal government invested more than $19.9 million in this project through DMAF, while the provincial government invested more than $59 million.

For more information

• Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund
• Canada and BC work in partnership to help protect residents and businesses of Grand Forks from disastrous impacts of flooding
• Flood Mitigation Program - City of Grand Forks