Announcing

Coldwater Stories

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Flood Mitigation Department Projects

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C-EDR 129/130 Setback Dike

Engineering Start: Winter 2025
Construction Start: Summer 2026
Construction End: Summer 2030

Status: Current

View project details >

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C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 1

Engineering Start: November 2023
Construction Start: 2027
Construction End: 2027

Status: Current

View project details >

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Cottonwood Habitat Overstory Management Program

Construction Start: February 2025
Construction End: Ongoing

Status: Current

View project details >

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Fir Bank Stabilization and Coldwater Realignment

Engineering Start: 2025
Construction Start: Spring 2026
Construction End: Fall 2026

Status: Current

View project details >

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Hesco Baskets

Construction Start: November 2021
Construction End: Ongoing

Status: Current

View project details >

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STUWI(x) Naturalization Project

Engineering Start: 2025
Construction Start: Fall 2026
Construction End: Fall 2027

Status: Current

View project details >

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Voght Street Pump Station

Engineering Start: Spring 2026
Construction Start: Summer 2027
Completion: Fall 2027

Status: Current

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Canford Pump Station

Status: Unfunded

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C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 2

Status: Unfunded

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C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 3

Status: Unfunded

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Houston Godey

Status: Unfunded

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Main Street Bridge Improvements

Status: Unfunded

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Canford Ave Rebuild

Construction Start: November 2021
Construction End: February 2023

Status: Complete

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C-EPA North (Public Works) Dike

Engineering Start: September 2023
Construction Start: May 2024
Construction End: November 2024

Status: Complete

View project details >

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C-EPA Claybanks

Engineering Start: November 2023
Construction Start: July 2025
Construction End: December 2025

Status: Complete

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Civic building and property repair

Construction Start: November 2021
Construction End: December 2024

Status: Complete

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Dog park

Construction Start: June 2022
Construction End: November 2022

Status: Complete

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Green Space Restoration

Construction Start: July 2022
Construction End: May 2023

Status: Complete

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Main St Bridge Riprap

Construction Start: May 2023
Construction End: December 2023

Status: Complete

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Middlesboro bridge

Construction Start: January 2022
Construction End: November 2024

Status: Complete

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Rapid Infiltration Flood Repairs

Construction Start: January 2022
Construction End: September 2022

Status: Complete

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Road/Sidewalk Repair

Construction Start: July 2022
Construction End: October 2023

Status: Complete

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Voght Park and Track

Construction Start: May 2023
Construction End: August 2024

Status: Complete

View project details >

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Water line Directional Drilling

Construction Start: April 2022
Construction End: January 2024

Status: Complete

View project details >

Flood Mitigation Department

The Merritt Flood Mitigation Department is focused on protecting the community from future flood risks through a comprehensive Flood Mitigation Plan.

This plan includes the development of a dike system and other infrastructure projects to safeguard key areas.

The department emphasizes strategic planning, Indigenous Engagement, project partner collaboration, and community involvement to build resilience against climate-related disasters.

By leveraging insights from other municipalities and experts, the department employs a phased, milestone-driven approach to implement effective flood protection measures.

The goal is to create sustainable solutions that enhance Merritt's preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring long-term safety and stability for the community.

Low Flow : High Flow after the 2021 Atmospheric River >

A resilient tulip, growing out of the mud after the 2021 flood in Merritt, BC

Photo Credit: Kevin Vilac Chief Operator of the Water and Wastewater Systems. May 10, 2022

“Today while doing our rounds this Tulip appeared from nowhere. Amidst the chaos and destruction here is this beautiful flower, like the residents of Merritt. If it can do it, so can we! I hope this Tulip helps anyone that may need a boost to push forward and just be you!”

Flood Mitigation Update | Q2 - 2026

Spring 2026 saw several critical milestones achieved, including Council’s adoption of the alignment for the major Dike 129/130 rebuild.

This adoption followed significant work by engineers and City staff to address the many details involved in a complex riverside project. The selected alignment balances operational requirements, long-term maintenance, landowner preferences, the public interest and, most importantly, the City’s ability to withstand future flooding.

The Province of BC continues to use Merritt as a leading example of flood recovery and mitigation. During the quarter, multiple provincial engineers and technical staff, along with two provincial film crews, toured Merritt to meet with the flood team and learn about the precedent setting projects underway here.

We were also pleased to launch the first episode of a new mini-series documenting Merritt’s journey through the flood and into the future at the City’s open house. The episode can be viewed here.

Sean Strang,
Director of Recovery and Mitigation

Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation

2026 Quarterly Reports

2026 Q2 Council Update
July 2026

2026 Q1 Council Update
April 2026

2025 Quarterly Reports

2025 Q4 Council update
January 2026

2025 Q3 Council update
October 2025

2025 Q2 Council update
July 2025

2025 Q1 Council update
April 2025

Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation Page 02

Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation Page 03

Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation Page 04

Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation Page 05

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Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation Page 07

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Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation Page 09

Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation Page 10

Q2 2026 - Council Update - Quarterly Report-Merritt Flood Mitigation Page 10

Current Projects

Merritt Flood Mitigation Dike 129/130 Program

Dike 129/130 Program

C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 1

C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 1

Flood impact area

Voght Street Pump Station

Merritt flood mitigation

Hesco Baskets

Cottonwood Habitat Old-Growth Management Program

Cottonwood Habitat Overstory Management Program

Fir Ave Bank Stabilization and Coldwater Realignment Projects | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

Fir Bank Stabilization and Coldwater Realignment

STUWI(x) - Pine Street Green ARDM

STUWI(x) Naturalization Project

Unfunded Projects

Unfunded project

Houston Godey

Unfunded project

C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 3

Unfunded project

C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 2

Unfunded project

Main Street Bridge Improvements

Completed Projects

RI Basin Repair | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

Rapid Infiltration Flood Repairs

Flood impact area

Civic building repair and replacement

Merritt team looking at the fish isolation installation at the Dike construction area beside the Merritt Public Works Yard

C-EPA North (Public Works) Dike

C-EPA Claybanks Dike Project | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

C-EPA Claybanks Dike Project

Middlesboro Bridge Construction June 20 excavating to pile cut off

Middlesboro Bridge Rebuild

Voght Park | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

Voght Park and Track Project

Flood impact area

Water line Directional Drilling

Main Street Bridge Riprap | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

Main St Bridge Riprap Project

Road and Sidewalk Repair | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

Road and Sidewalk Repair

Green Space Restoration | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

Green Space Restoration

Canford Ave Rebuild t | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

Canford Avenue Rebuild

Dog Park | Merritt Flood Mitigation Department

Voght Dog Park Project