In Europe and other parts of the world, rivers are being returned to their natural states as much as possible, reversing a trend of diking and controlling the water bodies.
Matthias Jakob is a geoscientist who is currently co-authoring a set of guidelines for professional engineers in B.C. on how to improve flood hazard and risk assessments in a changing climate. He will be speaking in Salmon Arm on Tuesday, March 15.
In a telephone interview last week, he talked about international trends regarding rivers. In Europe, for instance, rivers are being given space so they can flood in a controlled manner, he said. Oxbows, backwaters and side channels are being put back in.
“It reduces flood risk and it creates beautiful habitat – anglers, tourists love it, everybody wins. Except for those who had their minds set on building in it. It’s being done in downtown Munich. It’s not just rurally – it’s being done within city limits,” he said.
“The European experience has really shown river straightening… particularly in crowded environments, produces more loss than gain. People thought that by straightening channels, they reduce flood risk; we now know it may not be the case.”
He said most Europeans approve of restoring rivers to their natural paths.
“There’s full support from just about everybody. In some cases there has to be compensation for those who have to move out of the floodplain, but if it’s in society’s best interest and they receive adequate compensation, there are no hindrances.”
Jakob is with BGC Engineering, which has been commissioned by the Wa:ter group (Wetland Alliance: The Ecological Response) to do a preliminary study of the Salmon River delta.
He said he won’t be discussing SmartCentres or any other development on Tuesday.
“What I will not talk about is what I think of this development, whether I think it’s bad or good. I’m not at the point where I could comment on that. I want to avoid getting into any premature conclusions – that really requires detailed analysis.”
Instead, he will focus on two areas. One, flood risk assessments – how their use is increasing and how they can be applied.
Flood risk assessments look at the many consequences associated with flooding, ranging from loss of life and injury, to environmental consequences such as hazardous material like paint, chicken manure or animal carcasses floating in water. Secondly, he will talk about local studies of the delta already done, and what further investigation would be necessary to do a full flood risk assessment.
“I don’t have a foregone conclusion in this case… My point of view is it should be looked at in its entirety, so a truly science-based informed decision can be made.”
Wa:ter is hosting the meeting, said president Warren Bell, because geotechnical engineers and hydrologists have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of a study of water movement in the Salmon River delta, to no avail.
Also featured will be two hydrologists with expertise regarding floodplain development.
The meeting will take place on March 15 at 7 p.m. in First United Church.
