The groundbreaking of a new infrastructure project marks the beginning of a new way to protect the Town of Coaldale and residents of Lethbridge County from overland flooding.
Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks on the new stormwater management facility south of Coaldale. The facility which will be located west of Highway 84 will stop rural stormwater runoff from running into the town’s developed areas.
Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn says the community has been vulnerable to flooding events for decades, which has impacted homes, businesses, and essential infrastructure.
“This new stormwater management facility is a long overdue and much-needed investment in public safety and community resilience. We’re proud to be working alongside our regional partners to deliver a solution that not only protects our residents today but also positions Coaldale for sustainable growth into the future,” Van Rijn says.
County Reeve, Tory Campbell adds there is significant value in the project because it is an investment opportunity to keep the community safe and protect the agricultural land that is a critical part of the region’s success.
“By working in partnership with Coaldale and SMRID, we can ensure a lasting and long-term benefit for generations. Regional collaboration is essential to leveraging our collective resources and achieving outcomes that benefit the entire area,” Campbell says.
The construction of the facility, which will reportedly be able to hold up to 100,000 cubic meters of stormwater storage, is part of the Malloy Drainage Basin Implementation Plan, which addresses flood risks throughout a 22,000-hectare basin. The area has reported damage due to flooding five times between 1995 and 2014.
A release about the project reads, “SWMF will help mitigate runoff from a 3,662-hectare rural catchment area during 1:100-year storm events, reducing the risk of future disasters.”
The project is estimated to cost $5.3 million with $3.73 million coming from the Government of Alberta’s Drought and Flood Protection Program. The remaining costs will be covered by the town, county and St. Mary’s Irrigation District.
Related Story: Stormwater project addresses causes of historic flooding in Coaldale
