GRCA initiating Flood Damage Assessment Study in Grand Valley, Waldemar and Drayton

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is undertaking a Flood Damage Assessment Study for the communities of Grand Valley, Waldemar and Drayton, thanks to a $78,000 grant from the federal National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP). The NDMP grant will contribute up to 50 per cent of the project’s funding, with the remaining amount to be funded through the GRCA’s land sale reserves. The project is expected to cost approximately $156,000.

“This study will improve our understanding of the impacts and costs of flooding in the communities of Grand Valley, Waldemar and Drayton,” says Katelyn Lynch, GRCA Senior Engineer Water Capital and the study’s project manager. “We encourage residents to visit the study webpage at www.grandriver.ca/FDAS to learn more about the study.”

The objectives of the study are to estimate average annual flood damages in all three communities and to update flood hazard mapping through the Village of Drayton. The flood hazard mapping in Grand Valley and Waldemar is being updated as part of another ongoing project. The results of this study will help stakeholders better understand and quantify flood-related impacts in these communities and may be used in possible future studies to assess the feasibility (i.e., cost-benefits) of potential mitigation options to reduce flood damages.

As part of the study, the field work and background information review are expected to include the acquisition of bathymetric topography, mapping and surveys of selected existing flood-prone buildings and infrastructure, anddata related to recent flooding.

Survey of residents and businesses at risk in Grand Valley, Waldemar and Drayton

The GRCA is seeking input from residents and businesses to support the Flood Damage Assessment Study. GRCA staff are distributing a survey to households and businesses in areas affected by flooding from the upper Grand River in Grand Valley and Waldemar, and from the upper Conestogo River in Drayton. Information about the characteristics of buildings in at-risk areas (e.g., whether basements are finished), types of flooding residents have experienced (river-related or sewer back-up), and damages and costs associated with floods, will provide valuable context for the study. The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to June 10, 2022.

Background

The NDMP is a federal program that was established in April 2015 to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on Canadians. The program focuses investments on significant, recurring flood risk and costs. Public Safety Canada can fund up to 50 per cent of project costs to a maximum of $1.5 million in federal funding per project. The NDMP funding provides an important opportunity to share the cost of flood-related studies, analysis, floodplain mapping or small mitigation works.

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Media Contacts:

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager, Strategic Communications and Environmental Education
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca

Cam Linwood, GRCA Supervisor, Strategic Communications
Phone 519-621-2763 x2251  |  Email clinwood@grandriver.ca