On Tuesday, March 15, three recognized experts in water science will come to Salmon Arm and speak at the United Church at 7 p.m. They will be discussing the science of floodplains, with specific reference to the Salmon River Delta.
For the last nine months, concerns have been raised repeatedly with city council and staff about the fact that there has never been a detailed study of water movement in the delta of the Salmon River – of what the delta is, and what it does.
These concerns have come primarily from geotechnical engineers and hydrologists. The consensus among them is that any alteration in the floodplain will produce effects elsewhere in the floodplain.
So far, no one in a decision-making role – public or private – has answered these concerns. As a result, no one with expertise in floodplains has studied what will happen as a result of past, present and future alterations.
No one, that is, till now. WA:TER has commissioned a preliminary study from a leading engineering firm, BGC Engineering Inc., to examine the function and dynamics of the delta, to help guide all development, including a planned Mary Thomas Heritage Sanctuary and Cultural Centre.
This study will be peer-reviewed by Dr. Michael Church, professor emeritus of geomorphology/hydrology at UBC.
The results of this new study will be shared on March 15, by Dr. Matthias Jakob, a widely recognized expert employed by BGC Engineering. In addition, Don Dobson, a hydrologist with over 30 years of experience in the field, will comment on current thinking about building on floodplains.
Finally, Paul Doyle, a hydrologist with several decades of experience with the Ministry of Environment, will talk about past and future regulation of floodplain development.
We invite everyone who cares about the future of our community to attend this presentation at the United Church in Salmon Arm on March 15 at 7 p.m.
Warren Bell
President, WA:TER
