Central Okanagan Flood Mitigation Strategy

Water doesn't follow jurisdictional boundaries. While the focus of this project is on the Central Okanagan, we worked with partners up and down the Okanagan Valley to build on a watershed-wide approach to flood mitigation.

The project involved an extensive outreach component to local governments, Syilx communities, stakeholders, and engaged with the public to ensure that the proposed mitigation options are acceptable and supported. 

Effective flood management requires implementing a range of mitigation options, rather than relying solely on traditional structures such as dikes or dams.

So called non-structural options play an important role in reducing risk and improving flood resiliency and include:

Risk reduction

• Land stewardship – maintaining and restoring natural areas (e.g., watersheds, wetlands, riparian areas, natural waterways) to help reduce downstream flooding.

• Land use management - encouraging or requiring types of land use in flood hazard areas that will prevent or reduce potential damage. For example, a green space would be less affected by flooding than a new sub-division.

• Building management - regulations and strategies that make structures and belongings less susceptible to flood damage. For example, using flood-resistant materials for the ground floor of a building.

Resilience

• Education and awareness – Homeowner guides, flood and climate change education, neighbourhood preparedness programs, and other learning resources.

• Emergency response - early warning systems, temporary barriers, and other flood response programs.

• Insurance and disaster financial assistance - managing financial risks where no other mitigation strategies are available. 

• Flood Mitigation Planning Resource Guide
• Non-Structural Flood Mitigation Technical Final Report - no appendices
• Non-Structural Flood Mitigation Technical Final Report - with appendices