Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / The city of Chilliwack has signed on to what the province calls a "significant multi-government" agreement to make Sumas Prairie more resilient to flooding. In a news release from the provincial government, Semá:th, Matsqui and Leq'á:mel First Nations, the City of Abbotsford and the City of Chilliwack have agreed to support the Sumas River Flood Mitigation Collaborative Framework, which facilitates the design of mitigation projects in the Sumas River watershed and timely delivery of watershed recovery programs that protect infrastructure.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

City of Chilliwack flood pact

City of Chilliwack signs on to pact to make Sumas Prairie more resilient to flooding

Apr 28, 2023 | 3:27 PM

CHILLIWACK — The city of Chilliwack has signed on to what the province calls a “significant multi-government” agreement to make Sumas Prairie more resilient to flooding.

In a news release from the provincial government, Semá:th, Matsqui and Leq’á:mel First Nations, the City of Abbotsford and the City of Chilliwack have agreed to support the Sumas River Flood Mitigation Collaborative Framework, which facilitates the design of mitigation projects in the Sumas River watershed and timely delivery of watershed recovery programs that benefit people and the farming community and protect infrastructure.

Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove called the framework an effective strategy to better handle future calamities.

“We know that flooding doesn’t recognize municipal borders, so the City of Chilliwack is pleased to be a part of the Sumas River Flood Mitigation Collaborative Framework. Working together, our governments will be able to effectively establish and implement strategies to move our communities forward and better prepare for future events.”

The agreement sets out a framework for all partners to work efficiently and collaboratively toward solutions and approaches to address the challenge of flooding risks. The provincial government is providing more than $4 million to support the framework, which includes a technical team of experts to share knowledge and advice on best practices for flood-risk mitigation.

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Additionally, there will be upgrades to Abbotsford’s Barrowtown pump station, which was overwhelmed by floodwaters from the nearby Sumas and Nooksack rivers when a series of atmospheric rivers inundated the Fraser Valley in November 2021. These upgrades are among 10 projects receiving a combined $8.48 million from the Province, including repairs to infrastructure, such as roads and the Sumas dike.

The Barrowtown pump station was originally designed to protect the catchment area of Sumas Prairie east from the Sumas River, but the November 2021 event overwhelmed the station. Funding will enable the design and construction of a flood wall to protect the pump station, including its electrical system.

The City of Abbotsford is receiving $3.2 million for the Barrowtown pump station flood-protection upgrades and $5.28 million for additional recovery projects.

According to the provincial government, the floods of November 2021 were the most expensive natural disaster in B.C.’s history with catastrophic impacts to communities, the economy and critical infrastructure.

More than 1,250 farms in the Abbotsford area account for close to $1 billion in annual receipts and support about 5,500 jobs. Forty kilometres of flood protection dikes and 16 pumps on the Sumas Prairie currently assist with flood mitigation.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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City of Chilliwack signs on to pact to make Sumas Prairie more resilient to flooding

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