Flood mitigation within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has a lengthy, in-depth, and technical history. The region has a long history of overland flooding, with 17 notable floods since 1835, of which 16 have been ice jam flood events.
Please find below an overview of the historical decisions and actions taken on flood mitigation to date, specifically the Municipality’s permanent, structural flood mitigation program.
The Flood Mitigation Program, as approved by Council, is at various stages of completion and is a major priority for the Municipality and residents. The program is comprehensive in nature, with a considerable history, significant investment, and many complex decisions.
Seasonal and interim mitigation
The Municipality is continuing the use of seasonal and interim operational measures while permanent measures are being completed, and continually enhancing plans based on lessons learned.
The use of seasonal and interim measures will be reduced as permanent measures are completed. The Flood Mitigation Program is proceeding, and dependent upon the specific area noted in the flood mitigation program 'Current Status' summary below, completion of the Program is expected in 2028. Once permanent structural flood mitigation is complete, the focus of the program will shift to ongoing operations and maintenance of flood mitigation systems.
Flood Mitigation Framework
COUNCIL'S STRATEGIC PLAN
Conclude Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Investments (DV6)
STAGE 1
Original reaches as identified within the 2014 Flood Mitigation Program.
STAGE 2
Post 2020 Flood event modifications and program expansion.
STAGE 3
Mitigation Integrity Review and additional work as identified.
ORGANIZATIONAL ADOPTION
Protection of the investment
Reach-by-Reach Overview
| Map of Flood Mitigation Reach-by-Reach |
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| Reach 1: MacDonald Drive to Borealis Park |
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Status Reach 1 was built to the 1:100-year flood elevation. Work to enhance existing mitigation to the 1:200-year flood elevation is expected to be completed in 2025. |
| Reach 2: Borealis Park to Morrison Street |
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Status Reach 2 was built to the 1:100-year flood elevation. Work to enhance existing mitigation to the 1:200-year flood elevation is expected to be completed in 2025. |
| Reach 3: Morrison Street to Hardin Street |
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Status Reach 3 was initially built to the 1:100-year flood elevation. Work to enhance existing mitigation to the 1:200-year flood elevation was completed in 2024 |
| Reach 4: Hardin Street to McLeod Street |
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Status Reach 4 was built to the 1:100-year flood elevation. Work to enhance existing mitigation to the 1:200-year flood elevation will proceed once higher priority flood mitigation projects are underway. |
| Reach 5: Wrapping around Edgewater Court and Riverwalk Villas |
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Status Construction continues on Reach 5, with the structural mitigation completed to the 1:200 year flood elevation. Landscaping, trail paving and the installation of a gazebo overlooking the Clearwater River is expected to be completed by the end of the construction season 2025. |
| Reach 6: Riedel Street to Longboat Landing |
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Status An interim clay berm was constructed along most of the Reach 6 alignment in 2020. This interim berm will remain in place until construction starts on the permanent mitigation. This berm continues to be monitored and inspected on an annual basis to ensure that a protection level of 250.0m is achieved. In September 2024, Council approved Administration’s recommendations for the construction of Reach 6. This marks a key milestone in finalizing permanent flood mitigation for downtown Fort McMurray. It is anticipated that construction will begin in 2025 for structural mitigation to be placed between Clearwater Drive and the Clearwater River. |
| Reach 7: North Longboat Landing |
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Status The structural clay berm for this portion of flood mitigation is 100% complete and has been constructed to the 1:200-year flood elevation. Due to public engagement feedback and trail alignment as a component of nearby waterfront connectivity, there are no plans to construct a trail in the Reach 7 area at this time |
| Reach 8: East Longboat Landing and Mills Avenue Booster Station |
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Status Flood mitigation has been achieved to the 1:200-year flood elevation. |
| Reach 9: Heritage Village |
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Status Reach 9 is currently built to the 1:100-year flood elevation. Work to enhance Reach 9 to the 1:200 year flood elevation is expected to be completed in 2025. |
| Reach 10: Waterways |
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Status An interim berm was constructed in Fall 2020 along the Reach 10 alignment and was built to the 1:100-year flood elevation (excluding freeboard). This interim berm along the Reach 10 alignment will remain until the permanent structural mitigation measures have been completed. Reach 10 flood mitigation has been divided into two scopes of work: Contract 1, to replace an existing retaining wall, and Contract 2, to raise a portion of Saline Creek Parkway, build limited earthworks in J. Howard Pew Park and connect to Reach 11. Construction on Contract 1 began in May 2023, and is expected to be completed in late 2024, and Contract 2 is expected to begin in 2025. |
| Reach 11: Saline Creek Drive to Waterways |
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Status Reach 11 construction is complete. Saline Creek Parkway re-opened in August 2023, and the new Sara Holden Dog Park, constructed as part of the project, opened in fall 2022. |
| TaigaNova North |
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Status Construction is currently underway and anticipated to finish in 2025. The interim berm previously constructed for TaigaNova North will be gradually removed as construction progresses. |
| TaigaNova South |
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Status Permanent flood mitigation at TaigaNova South is in the pre-design phase to block known flood pathways located south of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. C Design is anticipated to be finalized in 2025 with construction to begin in 2026. Temporary flood mitigation measures will be used until permanent mitigation is in place to the 1:200-year flood elevation (250.9m). |
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Hangingstone Expansion Area |
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Status Due to the high-water event that occurred on June 15, 2023, a higher priority will be placed on completing permanent flood mitigation in the Hangingstone Expansion Area than was originally planned. An in-depth study will be completed to confirm the design and scope of the project with construction anticipated to begin in 2026. |
| Underground Enhancements |
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Status The Miscellaneous Underground Enhancements project is a multi-year, multi-area project to rehabilitate and upgrade storm infrastructure within the downtown Fort McMurray area. The purpose of this project is to improve the ability of the RMWB to react to differing high water level events, as well as replace and optimize aging assets. Construction has begun and is anticipated to be completed in 2025. |
Resources
- Council resolutions from December 15, 2020
- Council resolutions from September 15-21, 2020
- 2020 Flood Recovery Campaign Plan
- Participate Wood Buffalo
- 2020 Community Townhalls
- 24-hour Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642
- Canadian Red Cross - Guide to Flood Recovery
- Flood Mitigation Overview 2021 – 2021.12.14 Council Meeting