Flood events can range in scale from minor to major. Minor events often present little threat to the public with minimal or no property damage. Major events can cause extensive damage or destruction to critical infrastructure, while presenting a high degree of danger to the public.
Floods can be either slow or fast rising, generally developing over days or weeks. The geography of Squamish combines four of the five most commonly flooded land types, i.e. River floodplains, basins and valleys affected by flash flooding, land below water-retention structures (dams), and low-lying coastal and inland shorelines
The District of Squamish Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan is a comprehensive flood management strategy with over 100 specific tools designed to manage flood risk in Squamish.
As of 2011, the areas of potential inundation in Squamish encompassed 3,235 residential buildings being nearly 60% of the total building stock. Older homes built prior to flood construction levels and homes located in low-lying areas will experience the greatest impact and damage should a major flood event occur.
For information on current flood warnings and advisories, visit the River Forecast Centre.
The District’s Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan (IFHMP) is a comprehensive flood management strategy with over 100 specific tools designed to manage flood risk in Squamish and guide community development over the next development cycle. The plan weaves together elements of land use planning, structural protection, river management, public education and emergency planning and will be utilized for capital and community planning for the next five to ten years.
Resources:
Flooding and Sea level rise: What you should know about Squamish's management plan.
January 15, 2023 at 4:16 PM
Efforts to bypass Queens Way lift station successful; community efforts helped mitigate environmental impacts
Map shows the alignment of the sanitary forcemain from the Downtown lift station to the Queens Way lift station.
January 14, 2023 at 3:45 PM
District crews urgently working to create a bypass for failed Queens Way Lift Station to avoid major impacts to public or environment
Some sanitary wastewater has entered the Squamish Estuary; Residents and businesses asked to reduce water use to help minimize impact
Map shows…