Latest news with #rivervalley
CBC
30-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
How building near Edmonton's river could mean more housing — and higher flood risk
Social Sharing A proposal to build several residential buildings up to 17 storeys, in the heart of Edmonton's river valley, stands out in more ways than one. Beyond the height changing sight lines in the area, some Edmontonians also showed concern during community engagement because the structure lies within an identified flood plain. It's a unique water-front proposal in a city that cherishes its river valley as a central green space that is largely undeveloped. It also raises questions about the risks of building so close to the water — and whether those are worthy trade-offs in exchange for more housing. The project, submitted by Dub Architects on behalf of Five Oaks Inc., proposes three buildings that could reach 17 storeys and create up to 490 residential units. The land along 100th Street in the Rossdale neighbourhood includes the historic Rossdale Brewery, which the project plans to restore and integrate. To build that tall, the land needs a rezoning, which will be discussed at a public hearing Monday. If approved, the rezoning would bring in extra environmental requirements, too. A report submitted for the hearing outlines tension between the city's goals for housing and the potential flood risk. "While this land already has zoning that would allow for urban development, increasing the intensity of this development in an ecologically important area where there are potential climate change flood risks is not necessarily aligned with the idea of climate resilience," the report says. How do we assess flood risk? Alberta flood-mapping tools are used to determine what areas are most at risk. In those maps, a flood hazard area is divided into two zones: the floodway and the flood fringe. That tells you what to expect in the event of a one-in-100-year flood, according to Evan Davies, a University of Alberta civil and environmental engineer who specializes in water resources. The floodway will have fast-moving water that can be deep and destructive. The flood fringe will be shallower and less dangerous. City administration worked with the applicant on their original proposal so the development falls outside the floodway. The three buildings are now "almost entirely outside the one-in-100-year flood line," the report says. This means most of the project falls within the one-in-200 year flood zone, leaving a 0.5 per cent chance of flooding in any given year. That's too close for comfort for organizations like the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition, which would like to see the area protected. "It's really risky to think that we understand what a flood could do in this area," said Kristine Kowalchuk, the organization's president. She said other cities that live next to water around the world are, instead, "restoring and rewilding" their flood plains and removing infrastructure. "That's the way that we need to go," Kowalchuk said. What are the rules? The Alberta government has created flood maps to help municipalities determine risk, but it is up to them to set the rules, said Kevin Lee, a press secretary for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, in an emailed statement to CBC News. "Municipalities have the autonomy and accountability to approve development permits and analyze the risks associated with them within their municipal boundaries," Lee said. Jason Thistlethwaite, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo in Ontario who studies climate risk, said this contrasts to Ontario, where it is prohibited to build in flood plains — which are determined by the historic Hurricane Hazel. "It's more of a black-and-white approach, whereas Alberta has sort of adopted a couple shades of grey," Thistlethwaite said. The lack of provincial regulation in Alberta is a problem, especially because local politicians often face pressure to allow development, said Ryan Ness, director of adaptation at the Canadian Climate Institute, a policy research organization. "Without a provincial backstop, there's nothing to keep that pressure from resulting in decisions that allow development where it's really too risky to be safe," Ness said. Thistlethwaite said there's a conflict of interest for municipal governments who want property tax revenue and more housing, but don't typically pay the bill when disaster strikes. "Municipalities, historically, have been able to be bailed out by upper-tier governments for poor development decisions," he said. But the rules around that are changing quickly, Thistlethwaite said, noting the federal government uses the one-in-200-year line to determine regulations around disaster assistance. How do we plan for climate change? But these models are based on current and historical circumstances. The City of Edmonton asked the applicant to make a model with additional risk due to climate change. Dub Architects created a model that accounts for a 10 per cent water discharge increase. It shows two of the buildings almost entirely in the flood fringe. Western Canada is likely to see more extreme weather, said Davies, of the U of A, citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "It's reasonable to expect that we'll get both wetter conditions in some years, and drier conditions in others, than we've seen historically," Davies said. Wetter years could lead to higher river flows, he added, but it's still uncertain what will happen. "That's one of the concerns about climate change, is that there's a lot that's unknown," he said. The city's report clarifies that a development permit will not be given for this project until additional geotechnical, hydrotechnical and environmental studies and mitigation measures are done. CBC News contacted Dub Architects for comment, but did not hear back. Is there a way to build in flood-prone areas responsibly? Thistlethwaite said, in Ontario, a common approach has been to elevate a building by turning the first few floors into above-ground parking. Davies mentioned raising the structure, or at least making sure that all electrical components, furnaces and water boilers are above the flood level.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Lethbridge brings back goats for river valley weed control
Lethbridge brings back goats for river valley weed control If you're out and about in Lethbridge's river valley in the coming weeks, be on the lookout for goats—205, to be exact.
CTV News
10-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Fire ban still in effect for Lethbridge river valley; officials urge compliance
Lethbridge's fire department is reminding residents that the river valley fire ban is still in effect. Hot and dry conditions are increasing the fire risk. Lethbridge's fire department is reminding residents that the river valley fire ban is still in effect. Hot and dry conditions are increasing the fire risk. While the river valley might look green, there's plenty of dead grass underneath that can catch quickly. Even a small spark from a campfire or cigarette could easily start a blaze. High winds will make it very easy for any fire to spread. With conditions only expected to get worse, the fire department doesn't want to take any chances. 'Right now, in the river valley, with the abundance of, I guess, dead grasses, leaf litter, deadfall, there is still extreme fire risk,' said Neil O'Grady, fire prevention officer. 'When we do get any precipitation, generally it stays on the surface for a short amount of time. But with our prevailing winds and warm weather, it usually dries out pretty quickly and we get right back to an extreme fire risk.' You can keep up to date on local and provincial fire bans at
CBC
29-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Edmonton police plead for information after remains identified as missing woman
Human remains found on the outskirts of Edmonton this winter have been identified as a 25-year-old woman who disappeared from the city last spring. In a statement Thursday, police said the circumstances of Teanna Lacoursiere's death are suspicious and they are appealing to the public for new information on the final days of her life. Lacoursiere had been reported missing in April 2024. Police said Lacoursiere's remains were found in January, in a wooded area near Aurum Road and 17th Street, on the east of the city near the river valley. In April 2025, a year after her disappearance, a match from the National DNA Data Bank identified Lacoursiere as the deceased. An autopsy was completed on the partial remains in late January but the cause and manner of her death has yet to be determined. 'Particularly complex' At the time the remains were found, deep snow and difficult winter conditions prevented a full search of the surrounding area. Police returned this spring to continue the search for evidence. Throughout April and May, EPS Missing Persons Unit co-ordinated multiple searches in the area where the remains were found, police said. On May 26, with the assistance of Search and Rescue Alberta, a full grid search of the area was completed, police said. "The search area was large and forested, which made this particularly complex," Staff Sgt. Kevin Harrison, with the EPS Historical Crimes Section, said in a statement. "Investigators planned to complete a full grid search prior to issuing a public notification in hopes of gathering important evidence that would advance the investigation." With that grid search complete, police said investigators are now appealing to the public for any information that might help shed some light on the case, and how Lacoursiere's remains ended up in the forest. Anyone with information about Lacoursiere, particularly in the days leading up to her death, is asked to contact Edmonton police or Crime Stoppers. Lacoursiere was five feet one inches tall, 120 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. She had a tattoo across her chest and was known to change her hair colour. She was also known to go by the name "Mistey."
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Those looking to enjoy the river valley this long weekend can do so with fire
The City of Lethbridge has lifted the river valley fire ban ahead of the long weekend after recent rain reduced the fire risk.
