Sunnyside Flood Barrier Project // Evaluation Form

Sunnyside Open House Handouts Different types of flood barriers

To protect against future flooding in Sunnyside, there are five different types of barriers that may be used. The type of flood barrier chosen takes into consideration:

• the height requirements of the barrier, • available space between the river and Memorial Drive, • if the barrier needs to tie into existing infrastructure (e.g. crosswalks); • the impact on the pathway alignment.

Below is a summary of each type. 1. Earth berm An earth berm is an area of land that is raised and built from soil.

2. Earth berm and retaining wall When space is limited, an earth berm is used for most of the barrier, but a retaining wall is added adjacent to the road to hold back the earth.

3. Flood wall A flood wall is a vertical barrier that is added to the top of a river bank and is required when Why isn’t the barrier space is limited. type the same throughout each option?

Where possible, an earth berm is the preferred option because it’s an effective 4. Flood wall and earth berm form of flood mitigation that An earth berm with a flood wall is used to increase the wwoverall height of the barrier where blends best into the natural space is limited. surroundings of the river. An earth berm also takes less time to construct and is a cost-effective type of flood mitigation. When space is limited and as the height of the 5. Flood wall, earth berm and retaining wall barrier increases, we need An earth berm with both a flood wall and retaining wall is used to increase the overall height to consider other barrier of the barrier where space is significantly limited. options like flood walls and retaining walls that can be accommodated in tighter spaces. However, these options can change the aesthetics of the area, take more time to construct and be more costly. Engage Resource Unit Sunnyside Flood Barrier Project // Evaluation Form

Benefits and Concerns

In the boxes below, please describe the benefits and concerns you have for each of the options for the flood barrier.

Barrier option - 1 in 20 - year flood level

Benefits Concerns

Barrier option - 1 in 50 - year flood level

Benefits Concerns

Barrier option - 1 in 100 - year flood level

Benefits Concerns

Barrier option - 1 in 200 - year flood level

Benefits Concerns

Which of the following best describes you? a) Hillhurst/Sunnyside resident b) Hillhurst/Sunnyside business owner or employee c) Pathway/recreation user d) Other (please specify):

If you have any other questions for the project team, please write them here. If you would like a response, please add your contact information. Engage Resource Unit Sunnyside Flood Barrier Project // Evaluation Form

Please provide your input for the Sunnyside Flood Barrier Project and return this form at the end of the Open House.

Alternatively, you can visit engage.calgary.ca/sunnyside-flood-barrier-project to leave additional comments online.

Social Criteria Ranking Rank each of the social criteria in order of importance by writing a number (1 through 6) in the box provided.

• #1 being the most important criteria • #6 being the least important criteria

Each box must have a different number. You cannot use the same number more than once.

SOCIAL CRITERIA | Definition Ranking (1 to 6) Community well-being Maintains community fabric Preserves the look and feel of the area.

Provides the same flood protection Balances the community-specific needs amongst communities with the need for a strong, city-wide flood resilience plan.

Protects vulnerable populations Protects vital community services (i.e. schools, and services daycares, senior facilities) and Calgarians, who because of age, disability or other circumstances are at greater risk in emergency situations that require evacuation. Maintains recreation and river access Maintains or improves access to the pathway system, river and natural areas.

Maintains the aesthetics of the area Maintains or improves pathway aesthetics and pathways and river views. Maintains or limits impact to trees. Improves mental well-being Reduces flood-related stress and anxiety. Engage Resource Unit Sunnyside Flood Barrier Project // September 24 Open House Evaluation Form

Please let us know your feedback

Alternatively, you can visit engage.calgary.ca/sunnyside-flood-barrier-project to leave additional comments online.

Please check the statement that best describes your opinion and add any additional comments you may have.

This Open House was a good use of my time Strongly agree Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly disagree or disagree Comments

I’m satisfied with the opportunity to participate and Strongly agree Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly disagree receive information. or disagree

Comments

The information presented tonight gave me a better Strongly agree Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly disagree understanding of the project or disagree

Comments

I understand how my input will be used Strongly agree Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly disagree or disagree Comments

This Open House was an effective way to collect my input Strongly agree Agree Neither agree Disagree Strongly disagree or disagree Comments

How did you hear about the Open House?

Any additional information about the Open House you would like to share with The City? Sunnyside Open House Information Boards Welcome to the Sunnyside Flood Barrier Open House

At this open house you will be able to: • Learn more about the flood mitigation plan for Sunnyside. • View the early designs for the different flood barrier options and begin to understand the impacts as protection increases. • Provide your feedback on the social impacts of each barrier option. • Find out what we have learned so far from various studies. • Learn about the next steps for the project. Understanding Calgary’s flood risk

• Communities next to the Bow and Elbow Rivers face the greatest risk of river flooding. • Flooding can occur at any time with little to no warning. • May 15 to July 15 is when we receive our largest rainfalls and are most likely to experience river flooding. • While flood risk can be reduced, it cannot be eliminated entirely. • The City’s priority when planning and responding to flooding is to protect its citizens, critical infrastructure, civic property, the environment and the economy. • It’s important to understand the flood risk in your community and your property, so you can be prepared and take action in the event of a flood. • Visit calgary.ca/floodinfo to access flood maps and other resources to help you understand your river flood risk.

19-0000004 Flood risk from the Bow River

Since we started recording floods, the Bow River has experienced floods with magnitudes greater than 1,230 m3/s (a 1-in-20 year flood) six times. This is represented by the red bars in the graphs

Annual Flood Peaks on the Bow River at Calgary (above the Elbow River) Annual Flood Peaks on the Bow River at Calgary (above the Elbow River)

2500 0.5% Chance of Occuring in Any Year ("1:200 Flood") * * 2265 m3/s 1% Chance of Occuring in Any Year ("1:100 Flood") 2000

/second) 1840 m /s 3 2% Chance of Occuring in Any Year ("1:50 Flood")

1500 1557 m3/s 1520 m3/s 3 1320 m /s 5% Chance of Occuring in Any Year ("1:20 Flood")

1130 m3/s 1000

791 m3/s

500 Maximum Instantaneous Flow Rate (m

0 1879 1897 1902 1911 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2013 2018

* Estimated based on historical high water marks.

** Return period flow estimates are from Bow and Elbow River Basin-Wide Hydrology Assessment and 2013 Flood Documentation Report prepared for The City of Calgary and The Province of Alberta, Sept. 2014.

19-0000004 Protecting Sunnyside from flooding A four-part plan

1 Enhanced TransAlta operations

2 Future Bow River reservoir

Property level mitigation 4 and policies

Community flood barriers 3 on the Bow River

We can’t prevent future floods, but we have a plan to reduce impacts 1. Enhanced TransAlta operations of the Ghost Reservoir Supporting the continuation of the existing Government of Alberta and TransAlta agreement to use the upstream Ghost Reservoir to capture more flood water. 2. New upstream reservoir on the Bow River Working with the Government of Alberta, a new reservoir on the Bow River would capture more water from large floods, as well as provide an additional source of water supply for drought management. 3. Community Flood Barriers As the reservoir reaches capacity and is forced to release water, permanent barriers help reduce overland river flooding during these large flood events. 4. Property level mitigation and policies Policies, bylaws, land use regulations, building codes, possible incentive programs for flood proofing and public education.

19-0000004 Here are the additional projects that will help address localized flooding that happens in the area. 1 Upper Plateau Separation To help prevent flooding of the lower plateau of Sunnyside/Hillhurst, The City is building dedicated stormwater infrastructure for the upper plateau. 2 Sunnyside Sanitary Lift Station Replacement This lift station was upgraded for flood resiliency. 3 Sunnyside Storm Lift Station 04A Upgrade (Pump Station #2) The lift station is being upgraded for flood resiliency and will more than double its pumping capacity. 4 New Sunnyside Storm Lift Station (Pump Station #1) A new lift station will alleviate overland flooding on Memorial Drive, and localized flooding in the southeast area of Sunnyside. 5 Northwest Inner-City Community Drainage Improvement Various projects in Sunnyside and Hillhurst will address stormwater capacity issues of the existing system 5 Kensington 6 10 Street N.W. 7 7 Avenue N.W. 8 West Hillhurst 9 1 Avenue N.W.

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17 AV SW 17 AV SE How a barrier option is chosen

The City uses a Triple Bottom Line approach to guide all decision making. This means they consider the social, economic and environmental impacts of a project.

Economic Invests in infrastructure in a manner that is a ordable and cost-e ective. Promotes an environment that attracts and retains local businesses and makes it a desirable area where citizens want to live. Evaluation criteria may include cost, construction timeline, funding eligibility, etc.

Evaluation is informed by regulatory reuirements and analysis from experts Economic in each discipline.

City decision- making

Environment Environmental Minimizes impacts to our Social water resources, natural areas Evaluation is informed and wildlife populations. in part by input we receive Evaluation criteria may from the community. include impact to plants and animals in the area, health Social of the riverbank area and Considers the community well-being ecosystem, etc. including impacts to their neighbourhood, health and well-being, recreational opportunities and more.

19-0000004 We want your feedback Help rank the importance of each social criteria. This feedback will be used by the project team during the evaluation process of the barrier options.

How to rank SOCIAL CRITERIA | Community well-being Definition the social Maintains community fabric • Preserves the look and feel of the area. criteria

1. Read each of the social Provides the same flood protection amongst • Balances the community-specific needs with the need for a criteria and definitions. communities strong, city-wide flood resilience plan. 2. On your feedback form, rank each of the social criteria in order of Protects vulnerable populations and services • Protects vital community services (i.e. schools, daycares, senior facilities) and Calgarians, who because of age, disability or other importance by writing circumstances are at greater risk in emergency situations that a number (1 through 6) require evacuation. in the box provided. • #1 being the most Maintains recreation and river access • Maintains or improves access to the pathway system, river and important criteria natural areas. • #6 being the least important criteria Maintains the aesthetics of the area and pathways • Maintains or improves pathway aesthetics and river views. • Maintains or limits impact to trees.

Improves mental well-being • Reduces flood-related stress and anxiety. Exploring different flood barrier options

On the following tables are early designs for the four barrier options we’re exploring: 1. 1 in 20-year flood level 2. 1 in 50-year flood level 3. 1 in 100-year flood level 4. 1 in 200-year flood level Each option provides its own independent level of flood mitigation. As upstream mitigation (i.e. future reservoir on the Bow River) is built, the level of flood mitigation will also increase in Sunnyside.

Understanding the tradeoffs As flood mitigation increases and the barrier gets higher and longer, there are also greater impacts to the community. This includes changes to the look and feel of the area, views of the river and removal of trees. At this stage, we’re beginning to uncover the impacts of the different flood mitigation levels. A high-level summary that compares each option is in your handout.

19-0000004 How is the barrier height determined?

Barrier Height = Design water level + freeboard Design water level • The elevation of the water during different flood events. This is estimated using computer models. • The water levels define a barrier’s height (e.g. 1 in 50-year flood level). • Models include post-2013 flood conditions, including the Prince’s Island causeway, impacts from other barriers (e.g. Downtown barrier). Freeboard • Additional barrier height that accounts for uncertainties, including: • standing wave effects • sediment deposition • debris jam at Prince’s Island lagoon • climate change effects • Analysis showed that a 0.5 metre freeboard is suitable for Sunnyside.

19-0000004 We want your feedback

Look at the different barrier design options and share your initial feedback by telling us what you like and what your concerns are about each of the options on your feedback form. The input you provide will help the project team as they evaluate the social impacts of each barrier option.

19-0000004 Barrier option – 1 in 20-year flood level Key Takeaways

Barrier only Mitigates up to a 1 in 20-year flood. Flood With full upstream mitigation * mitigation Mitigates up to a 1 in 200-year flood. In context, the 2013 flood was a 1 in 70-year flood event.

Total barrier 1,066 metres length

Average barrier height increase 0.3 metres (up to 0.5 metres maximum) above existing ground level

Street level river views along Memorial Drive remain largely unchanged. River views Pathway river views are maintained.

Area of trees and shrubs Fewest trees are removed (4,100 m2) removed

Pathway access All pathways will be maintained or improved.

Relative cost compared to $ other options

* These numbers are approximate. They are based on information currently available to The City of Calgary and are subject to change.

19-0000004 Barrier option – 1 in 50-year flood level Key Takeaways

Barrier only Mitigates up to a 1 in 50-year flood. Flood With full upstream mitigation * mitigation Mitigates up to a 1 in 400-year flood. In context, the 2013 flood was a 1 in 70-year flood event.

Total barrier 2,260 metres length

Average barrier height increase 0.8 metres (up to 1.3 metres maximum) above existing ground level

Street level river views along Memorial Drive remain largely unchanged. River views Pathway river views are maintained.

Area of trees and shrubs Moderate amount of trees are removed (5,100 m2) removed

Pathway access All pathways will be maintained or improved.

Relative cost compared to $$$ other options

* These numbers are approximate. They are based on information currently available to The City of Calgary and are subject to change.

19-0000004 Barrier option – 1 in 100-year flood level Key Takeaways

Barrier only Mitigates up to a 1 in 100-year flood. Flood With full upstream mitigation • mitigation Mitigates up to a 1 in 900-year flood. In context, the 2013 flood was a 1 in 70-year flood event.

Total barrier 2,525 metres length

Average barrier height increase 1.1 metres (up to 1.7 metres maximum) above existing ground level Street-level river views along Memorial Drive are blocked by retaining River views wall for most of length. Pathway river views are maintained

Area of trees and shrubs Moderate amount of trees are removed (5,500 m2) removed

Pathway access All pathways will be maintained or improved.

Relative cost compared to $$$$ other options

* These numbers are approximate. They are based on information currently available to The City of Calgary and are subject to change.

19-0000004 Barrier option – 1 in 200-year flood level Key Takeaways

Barrier only Mitigates up to a 1 in 200-year flood. Flood With full upstream mitigation * mitigation Mitigates up to a 1 in 1000-year flood. In context, the 2013 flood was a 1 in 70-year flood event.

Total barrier 2,662 metres length

Average barrier height increase 1.6 metres (up to 2.2 metres maximum) above existing ground level Street-level river views along Memorial Drive are blocked by retaining River views wall for most of length. Pathway river views are maintained

Area of trees and shrubs Largest amount of trees are removed (10,100 m2) removed

Pathway access All pathways will be maintained or improved.

Relative cost compared to $$$$$ other options

* These numbers are approximate. They are based on information currently available to The City of Calgary and are subject to change.

19-0000004 Sunnyside Flood Barrier - Next steps

• This fall, we will integrate your feedback on the social impacts and continue to evaluate the barrier options according to the Triple Bottom Line approach. • A barrier option recommendation will be shared with the community in early 2020 and presented to the Standing Policy Committee for Utilities and Corporate Services in spring 2020.

Community Phase 3 engagement Phase 1 Phase 2 Construction Council approval – Studies and on Flood Mitigation Calgary’s Flood community engagement Final design and (pending regulatory Measures Assessment Mitigation Strategy regulatory approvals approvals) 2016 2017 2018 – 2020 2020 2020 – 2021

2018 Spring 2018 Summer 2018 Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Winter 2020 Spring 2020 • Project initiated • Team formed • Engineering • Engagement • Engagement on • Recommended • Barrier option team hired • Technical studies preliminary design barrier option and confirmed by • Early engagement begin options groundwater study Council • Barrier option results shared analysis with community

19-0000004 Thank you for attending our open house Online engagement is open until October 9 If you have additional comments, or have neighbours who were unable to attend, please visit engage.calgary.ca/sunnyside-flood-barrier-project to share your feedback. A summary of your feedback and an overview of the different flood barrier design options will be available at calgary.ca/sunnysidebarrier

19-0000004 Sunnyside Open House Technical Boards Understanding ground conditions and groundwater in Sunnyside

• We need to understand the ground conditions and soil in Sunnyside to determine how stable the ground is to resist flood forces. • Studies are still underway to determine if the flood barrier will have an impact on groundwater in Sunnyside. • The results of these studies will inform future decisions on the need for mitigation to reduce water seepage under the barrier. • Today, we’re sharing some of these early findings with the community. In early 2020, we will return to the community to share the full groundwater results and if mitigation is needed. What we did • Drilled 26 boreholes. • Dug 3 test pits. • Installed 11 data loggers (3 in the Bow River and 8 in monitoring wells). • Conducted geotechnical laboratory testing of borehole materials. • Conducted pumping tests and single well response testing of the gravel layers.

Study locations in Sunnyside. What are the ground conditions in Sunnyside?

By characterizing the soil makeup under the barrier, we can understand: • its stability to resist flood forces; and • the potential for water seeping under the barrier. Key takeaways Materials are generally consistent throughout Sunnyside, but some differences exist. The image below shows the soil layers found in a typical borehole along the existing barrier alignment in Sunnyside: • Blue layers are more likely to have groundwater moving through them faster. • Green layers are more likely to have groundwater moving through them slowly. How might water flow under the barrier?

How water flows under the barrier depends on the properties of the soil and the differences between the river level and the groundwater level.

Below is a profile of the soil layers based on boreholes drilled along the Sunnyside barrier alignment.

• Blue layers are more likely to have groundwater moving through them faster. • Green layers more likely to have groundwater moving through them slowly. Next steps We are currently modelling how water might flow through these soil layers during different flood sizes and durations. Where does groundwater move in Sunnyside?

By determining how groundwater moves through the community, this will help inform future decisions on the need for mitigations to reduce seepage under the barrier. Key takeaways • Groundwater may move from three directions through Sunnyside: 1. From the floodplain: Groundwater is continuously moving from upstream through the fluvial sand and gravel layers. 2. From the Valley: Groundwater may be entering Sunnyside from under McHugh Bluff (from the basal sand and gravel layers). 3. From the River: When the river floods, the high-water levels may change groundwater flow direction and seep under the barrier into Sunnyside. • Any mitigation for seepage coming from the river needs to consider groundwater moving from the floodplain and the valley to make sure we don’t block its path out to the river. • Any mitigation must not negatively impact groundwater movement, or it could make subsurface flooding problems worse.

2 ?

? 1 3 ?

General Groundwater Flow Directions

1 From the River 3 From the Valley

2 From the Floodplain Flow rates to be ? quantified (next-steps)

Groundwater flow directions in Sunnyside