Community Flood Barriers - studies and reports

Studies were conducted over 18 months to explore the feasibility of a flood barrier from the early conceptual design. 

Prepared by: KCB Engineering

This study helped us predict how the Bow River behaves at the design flow rate of 1,230 m3/s. The results from the computer river model was used to:

1. Determine the barrier height
2. Understand how the river affects groundwater
3. Understand how the river interacts with the stormwater system
4. Understand whether a barrier would affect neighbouring communities

The study results showed the optimal alignment to protect the greatest number of properties in Bowness was along the riverfront targeting two key low-lying areas on the north and south ends of Bow Crescent. These areas were identified to be the source of overland flooding in the community and that a flood barrier could effectively stop water from overflowing the riverbanks. The recommended barrier heights vary from 0.4 to 1.7 metres depending on the location on the property.

Results of the how the river influences groundwater and interacts with the stormwater system are detailed in the separate groundwater and stormwater studies.

Hydrotechnical Assessment Report - December 2020

Prepared by: KCB Engineering

We follow a consistent design process for all flood mitigation projects. We conduct studies to understand the existing groundwater conditions and determine how they could change if a flood barrier is constructed.

What did we do?

• We conducted groundwater monitoring and pumping tests to understand how changes in the river level affect how fast and how high groundwater levels rise in Bowness.
  • How quickly and in which direction(s) water flows underground.
• Geophysical studies to understand the geology of the area in greater detail.
• Groundwater chemistry to interpret groundwater flow patterns, before and after peak river flows were observed on the Bow River.

What are the existing groundwater conditions in the area?

Groundwater conditions are similar to other riverside communities
Bowness was built on a highly permeable aquifer, like downtown and Sunnyside. This means water can travel more easily in some of the geological layers under the ground surface. 

The groundwater flow changes direction during the year
For most of the year, groundwater travels down from the Paskapoo slopes and out towards the river. Maintaining this unobstructed path for the groundwater to exit is important to prevent the groundwater table from rising.

During the spring high water season, the flow reverses direction and groundwater flows from the river into the soil. 

What is the effect on groundwater when overland river flow is blocked by a barrier?

• Slightly lower the groundwater table. Study results showed that removing overland flow typically resulted lowering of the groundwater table, on average by 0.4 m.

Figure ES.4 Peak Water Table Reduction with Surface Barrier, 1:200 Attenuated Event 

• Localized pockets of groundwater may come to the surface, but it can be addressed by pumping wells. Our studies showed that when the overland flow is held back by a barrier, during a flood we may still see localized pockets of groundwater coming to the surface in small areas. The number and placement of pumping wells would be determined in subsequent design phase, if the barrier was considered feasible.  

Groundwater levels with and without a surface barrier in place are shown below:

Figure ES.2 Depth to Peak Water Table, no mitigation, 1:200 Attenuated Event 

Figure ES.3 Depth to Peak Water Table with Surface Barrier, 1:200 Attenuated Event 

Due to large file sizes, pdf's may take a few minutes to download and is best viewed on desktop

• Hydrogeological Characterization and Groundwater Flow Modelling Report – May 2021
• Appendix I: Hydrogeological Site Investigation and Groundwater Monitoring Summary Report 
  
• Appendix I4: Tetra Tech Geophysical Investigation Report
• Appendix II: Alberta Water Well Records 
• Appendix III: Groundwater Model Design Basis Memorandum
• Appendix IV: Numerical Groundwater Model – Calibration
• Appendix V: Numerical Groundwater Model – Groundwater Flood Mitigation Simulations
• Table of Changes

3rd Party Review of Groundwater Study

The City hired an independent 3rd party reviewer for the geotechnical and hydrological studies in Bowness based on feedback from the community.  This review helps ensure the studies meet standards, are comprehensive and that their interpretation of the findings are consistent with those of Klohn Crippen Berger (KCB), who conducted the study. See their letters below for a summary of their review:

• Third party review of hydrogeological characterization and groundwater flow modelling report - Letter
• Review of Hydrogeological Conceptual Model and Groundwater Model Design Basis Memorandum
• Review of Hydrogeological Characterization and Groundwater Flow Modelling Report

As with all riverside communities in Calgary, managing the risk of basement flooding can be best achieved through a combined approach – controlling the river flow through upstream reservoirs to keep groundwater levels low; community flood barriers to prevent community flooding; property-level flood protection to limit risk exposure.

When river flows cannot be maintained below basement levels, or when the water table rises due to heavy rainfall, an effective way to reduce basement flood risk is taking the appropriate steps at home.  This includes:

• Install a sump pump with a back-up power source.
• Install sanitary sewer backflow preventer valves.
• Ensure downspouts drain onto the ground at least two metres away from your home.
• Improve your lot grading so that it slopes away from the house foundation.
• Repair cracks in the basement foundation.
• Finish basements with easily washable materials, such as concrete floors and walls.
• Install water alarms in the basement to alert you if water is backing up.
• Avoid building living spaces below grade

Prepared by: Matrix Solutions

This study was used to determine the potential impacts a permanent overland flood barrier would have on existing drainage infrastructure. Using a comprehensive computer model, it allowed us to compare existing (no-barrier) conditions to a scenario with a riverfront flood barrier to determine how stormwater drainage changes can be managed.

The study results revealed that some modifications to the stormwater system in Bowness would be needed if a permanent overland flood barrier was built. The study identified which outfall gates would need to be closed during a flood event and what infrastructure (e.g. pumps) would be needed to manage drainage while the gates were closed. The study recommended using temporary pumps only deployed during emergency events in lieu of permanent infrastructure. The study also identified that some lots will require a change to their local drainage to ensure stormwater does not build up on their property with the barrier in place. Site-specific solutions would be explored further as part of a potential future phase of design.

During a flood, who is responsible for the closure of stormwater outfall gates?

During a flood, The City will follow its Emergency Response Plan which includes the closure of outfall gates. The Emergency Response Plan would also cover deployment of temporary pumps to ensure stormwater does not back up behind the barrier.

How was groundwater considered? How are sump pumps considered?

The groundwater infiltration into the storm system, whether through cracks in pipes and manholes, leaky pipe joints and connections, and weeper holes, is expected to be a small fraction (1-2%) of the potential flows in the storm pipes. For more information, please refer to Section 2.6 of the Stormwater Assessment and Mitigation Report.

• Stormwater management report – April 2021

Prepared by: KCB Engineering

In this phase, the purpose of the environmental review was to get a baseline understanding of the environmental conditions in Bowness by building an inventory of what exists (e.g. amphibians, birds, vegetation, rare plants and wetlands, soils, fish and fish habitats). Independent biologists captured feedback provided by residents and also visited the area throughout various times in the year to observe and note the wildlife.

• Biophysical Field Survey Summary – December 2020

If the project were to proceed to the next phase, a full environmental impact assessment would be completed once an alignment was confirmed. This final assessment would provide information on potential impacts to existing habitat features, fish, wildlife and vegetation and how to mitigate them during construction.

These studies identified a flood barrier as an option to help mitigate overland flooding in Bowness. As work on  exploring the feasibility of a permanent flood barrier continues, information on propertiesand technical data will be gathered. Project limitations and options will also be identified.

Prepared by: Associated Engineering

The City of Calgary requested a study into whether flood barriers would be an effective solution to reduce flood risk in our city. The Study used a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach to evaluate the social, environmental and economic costs and benefits, using a specific process built for this study. The costs and benefits assessed barrier protection at various heights for many communities. Information from this study was included in our city-wide Flood Mitigation Measures Assessment.

Please note: Associated Engineering created conceptual designs for community-level flood barriers to help calculate rough costs and benefits, and to see if barriers in these general locations was technically feasible. It’s important to note that height, location on individual properties, and/or aesthetics of the concepts are not indicators or a foundation of the proposed community flood barriers.

Due to large file sizes, pdf's may take a few minutes to download and is best viewed on desktop.

Prepared by: IBI Group and Golder Associates

After the 2013 flood, the Flood Expert Management Panel recommended a study to explore the impacts and benefits of mitigation measures beyond barriers to reduce flood risk in Calgary. This study looked at potential flood damages under different scenarios with different mitigation options in place. These options were combinations of reservoirs, flood barriers, stormwater improvements and emergency response measures.

The study compared the cost, benefits and social-environmental sustainability of each mitigation scenario. They were evaluated on social well-being, environmental protection, economic well-being and ease of implementation. The assessment criteria for each scenario was based on technical studies and expertise, international best practices and public engagement.

The recommended flood mitigation scenario included:

• upstream reservoirs on the Bow and the Elbow,
• small barriers at specific locations along the Bow, and
• policy changes.

This combination of measures provided the greatest flood protection, was the most environmentally sustainable and provided the timeliest and equitable protection to flood-prone communities.

Please note: Rough costs were compared to benefits for each mitigation scenario. As each individual project design progresses, the cost-benefit of each project will be refined and re-assessed. This will be done on an individual project level and within the context of how it contributes to flood resiliency for the city as a whole.

The cost-benefit is assessed using a triple-bottom-line approach that considers not only financial costs, but also social and environmental impacts and benefits.

• Flood Mitigation Options Assessment Summary
• Calgary Flood Mitigation Options Assessment Report - Full study

This report summarizes the status of various flood mitigation projects and provincial upstream mitigation in 2019.

This report is the recommended flood mitigation approach for Calgary. It is based on the technical studies listed below, expert advice, and public engagement. Council directed The City to execute the strategy outlined in the report. We continue to engage and work with communities as we explore and design flood mitigation projects in their neighbourhoods.

• Flood Mitigation Measures Assessment Report- Council

Calgary Rivers Morphology Study

Prepared by: Klohn Crippen Berger (December 2017)

This study explains how the Bow River, Elbow River, Fish Creek, Nose Creek and West Nose Creek were affected by the 2013 flood, how they have recovered since the flood, and how they are likely to evolve in the future.

• Calgary Rivers Morphology - Table of Contents
• Calgary Rivers Morphology - Summary Report
• Calgary Rivers Morphology - Main Report