Calgary flood prevention research underway
Posted Apr 15, 2022 11:31 am.
New research is underway to better predict the flow of earth’s most precious and sometimes damaging resource, as the devastation of the 2013 Alberta floods is still fresh in the minds of Calgarians.
Researchers with the University of Calgary and across North America are teaming up to create a system that better predicts the behaviour of water.
Dr. Alain Pietroniro is a professor at the University of Calgary and says this work is important to prevent future disaster.
“Giving us more lead time or giving us better planning tools,” Pietroniro said. “Better water management is always a good idea.”
WATCH: CityNews’ Jasmine Vickaryous reports on new research to better protect major flooding in Calgary
In addition to the flooding nearly a decade ago in Alberta, the destruction caused by rising water in B.C. last November has some Albertans wondering what the spring thaw has in store.
“Looking at how we can do a better job on forecasting high flows, looking at prediction in general, looking at things like even seasonal forecasting, so forecasting for water supplies,” Pietroniro said of the research that’s being done.
Pietroniro is teaming up with hydrologists to develop better modelling for water management. With the changing climate, he says we can expect more extreme weather events.
“How do you plan for those? How do you design for those? How do you get enough lead time, so you get people out of the area where they need to be out of? You have to pay for sandbagging, or you have to pay for mitigation,” Pietroniro said.
The group of researchers is trying to simulate the way in which water flows across the continent. With waterways crossing international borders, they say flood prediction needs to be a collaborative approach across different jurisdictions.
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“We’re trying to compare simulations of snowpack energetics that we have in the Canadian Rockies all the way down to some of the wetlands that we have in other parts of the continent,” Professor Martyn Clark with the University of Saskatchewan said.
Research efforts like this play a big role in how the City of Calgary responds to major flood events. Frank Frigo, the manager of watershed planning with the city, says strides have been made in mitigating flood risk since 2013. However, he warns this is the time of year to be vigilant.
“Forecasting is a very important part of our overall flood resilience plan and program,” Frigo said. “It’s key because it helps us trigger our flood response plans, which then allow us to help protect public safety, the economy and the environment.
Frigo encourages Calgarians to visit the city’s website for more information on the flood risks in your area.
