SEAWA representatives attended the Parks and Recreation/Municipal Works information session on November 6th and have provided this summary report:

Facilitators stated clearly, right from the start, that the purpose of the meeting was to inform the organizations represented, about the berm configuration in Lion's and Strathcona Island Parks. It was not a forum for making and gathering comments or suggesting changes to the berm configuration. (The only possible change may be to the road realignment at the conjunction of Second Street SE and Minto Avenue SE. The Parks Department may consider deleting the realignment and terminating the roads.)

About 15 or 20 people browsed the information boards that were on display, providing a visual description of plans.The first board depicted the overall city map showing all eight areas along the river and creeks that need to be addressed, to prevent future floods. Another showed a cross section of the planned berm. Each side of the berm is designed with a 3-to-1 slope versus height ratio. For example, if the height is 1 meter then the overall width is 15 meters; or if it is 3 meters high then it is 27 meters wide. As it is apparent, the overall width can be significant.

Participants viewed a rendition of what the completed berms might look like, once planted with grass and with a paved, divided trail on the top. There was little mention of the value of natural spaces and retention of vegetation in the flood plain.

Some comments and observations made by those in attendance:

- The plan has been (and continues to be) revised as new information comes in.  For example, on a print version it was observed that rip rap was to be used at the corners. In the revised plan on the board, the corners had been rounded out so that the rip rap was no longer needed.  The intention is to make the curve of the berm as smooth as possible.

- There are no plans to vegetate the berm beyond planting grass, which will be mowed annually.  It was thought the trees and shrubs would compromise the berm and create leaks with their roots. The mowing is to make it possible to examine the berm for leaks.  One participant thought that in a high water event, the grassed berm is more likely to be washed out, than one which is vegetated with a mix of shrubs and trees, (which would not only hang on to the soil but also slow down the water flow.)

- Complementary to the berms, will be storm water retention ponds throughout the city. One person suggested public education about storm water on private properties to inform how retention ponds slow and reduce the run-off in heavy rain/snow melt events.

- An observation was made about the stand of cottonwood trees that are on the dry side of the berm, near Strathcona Island Park. As cottonwood trees require flood conditions to thrive, questions arose as to how this area would receive enough water for the continued life of these trees.  

- Attendees made note that: a future flood could arise at the end of the berm and back flow through Strathcona on the old river/creek bed which would then necessitate some means of releasing flood waters from inside the berm; a possible bathtub effect may arise from excessive urban run-off and sewer backup, and; the baseball diamond in Strathcona Park will not be protected by the berm, but if needed, a temporary dike system would be erected.

- The Parks Department need to rip-rap the river bank on Strathcona Island to prevent further erosion, otherwise the road to the Heritage Building and baseball diamond, along with the new water park and playground, and any in-ground infrastructure such as sewer and water pipes, could very well be compromised.

- Creek side berming is envisioned for Phase 2 of the project.  Ross Creek and Seven Persons Creeks drain the entire north slope of the Cypress Hills and join near the common estuary into the river. Flooding of these creeks have occurred.

- The Trans Canada Trail Marker/ Pavilion will be moved to a new location because the trail will no longer extend to the marker's present site. That far end of the trail will be abandoned.

The General Managers from Parks and Recreation and Municipal Works provided an in-depth overview of the berm that is soon to be constructed and at the end of the evening meeting, participants were encouraged to report back to their organizations and stakeholders.

Thank you Martha for your report to the Board of Directors, and now to the membership!