Vernon

Work is expected to begin soon to provide flood protection to the Vernon Creek Drainage Basin.

The project will go ahead after the city learned it has qualified for funding under the Building Canada Flood Protection Program.

The project is the first of approximately four phases of a flood control and wetland enhancement project located in the lower reaches of the Vernon Creek Drainage Basin.

Over the years, the City of Vernon has secured private and city owned lands for the project and also identified work on future development lands that will be constructed with re-development in the area.

The project includes construction of infrastructure for flood protection including significant concrete structures and pipe works.

Phase one includes construction of about 170 linear metres of 1200 mm diameter culvert, flow diversion structures, associated channel construction including rip rap channel, sedimentation/detention basin, wetland areas for flow attenuation and bio-treatment and associated work.

"The project will limit flooding by providing facilities for conveyance of major storm flows, attenuation of higher flows, sediment removal and floodplain connectivity," says Engineering and GIS Manager, Rob Dickinson.

The feds will pay $640,000 or the estimated $960,000 cost of the project.

The remaining $320,000 will be funded through the city using Development Cost Charges plus existing reserves or 2011 budget carry-overs.