Coldwater Stories

Join us as we introduce the community through a lens of identity, resilience, and renewal.

It grounds viewers in who Merritt is today, shaped by its people, landscapes, and the shared experience of recovery, while looking forward to a safe, welcoming future.

The video blends cinematic visuals of the Coldwater River corridor, downtown spaces, and surrounding natural beauty with personal narratives from local voices. It highlights how Merritt is evolving into a community that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and connection, with flood mitigation efforts integrated into everyday public spaces, including trails, gathering areas, and riverfront design.

A key focus is the integration of Indigenous knowledge, culture, and history.

Through collaboration with local Nations, elders, and institutions such as NVIT, the video reflects a commitment to embedding traditional perspectives into the community’s identity, storytelling, and future planning.

This also serves as the foundation for a growing digital library of high-quality photo and video assets, showcasing Merritt as a place where people feel safe, included, and inspired to visit, live, and invest. It supports updated economic development materials and website content, ensuring a cohesive and inviting look and feel across all platforms.

Merritt is not only a community recovering from disaster, but one actively shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient future.

The City of Merritt, Flood Mitigation Department gratefully acknowledges the support of the Flood Recovery & Mill Closure Program, administered by the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth, Government of British Columbia.