The City is framed by steep mountain creeks and the ocean. It's a beautiful place but the City's creeks and Burrard Inlet all present flood hazards.
Creek floods typically occur in the fall when there is high rainfall and/or snowmelt. Creeks can often become unpredictable, dynamic and can quickly change during flood situations.
Burrard Inlet presents a different flood hazard. High tides or "King Tides" combined with storm surge and waves can increase coastal water levels well above normal levels causing flooding in low-lying areas.
Flood Hazard Management
The City takes a proactive approach to flood hazard management and undertakes regular creek flood protection and maintenance projects to remove sediment and debris, and improve our bridge crossings. In 2012 the City, in co-operation with the District of North Vancouver, undertook a study of the major creek and coastal flood hazards. The Creek Hydrology, Floodplain Mapping and Bridge Hydraulic Assessment, prepared by Kerr Wood Leidal Associates dated October 14, 2014, provides a comprehensive description of flood processes and hazards in North Vancouver.
Based on this study the City has moved forward with a number of initiatives, including:
- Updating the Sewerage and Drainage Utility Bylaw (No. 6746) to include a coastal flood construction level of 4.5 m elevation (Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum - an integrated reference level for surveying), and a revised flood hazard map.
- Planning for long term flood protection works (i.e. dikes) along Mackay Creek and in the Harbourside area.
- Planning for the upgrade of bridges requiring additional capacity or opening area for floodwaters.
- Continuing maintenance programs for creek channels and bridge crossings.
- In collaboration with the District of North Vancouver, conducting a review of the Integrated Storm Water Management Plan (ISMP) to assess local storm drain infrastructure.