Overview
C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 1 Project
The Middlesboro-Phase 1 Project will install a critical section of flood protection dikes in Merritt, safeguarding homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure. The project includes the construction of a setback dike, which will allow the river to more naturally traverse the Coldwater River corridor through Merritt.
This project is an important piece of Merritt’s 2022 Council approved Flood Mitigation Plan that will enhance community resilience, create a more natural river flow, and ensure a safer, more secure future for residents and businesses.
Why This Project Matters
Merritt’s 2022 Flood Mitigation Plan outlines a multi-phase approach to protecting the city from future disasters. However, many components remain unfunded. The approval of this DRIF grant represents a major milestone, as Middlesboro Phase 1 Dike Project previously had no secured funding source.
Next Steps
The project will proceed once dike alignments are confirmed, and engineering work can begin.
Funding
The City of Merritt has secured $3.4 million in provincial funding to construct the Middlesboro Phase 1 Diking Project, a key component of its Flood Mitigation Plan.
This project is fully funded by the Province of BC, through Emergency Management and Climate Readiness BC.
Modern dikes are large and complex projects, requiring significant engineering, permitting, and earthmoving.
The City of Merritt does not have the municipal tax base to support these critical safety projects, so the Government of BC has stepped in to provide assistance.
The funding, provided through the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program (DRIF), marks a significant step forward in safeguarding the community from future flooding events.
Read the full press release here.
Status
Current
Notes
Dike length: 90m
Construction start:
C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 1 FAQs
What is the C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 1 Project?
All projects marked as “C-EPA” are in the “Coldwater – Expanded Protection Area”.
This is brand-new infrastructure that didn’t exist before the 2021 flood, rather than the projects related to rebuilding the pre-existing infrastructure.
C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 1, marked in red on the below map, continues the upgraded diking upstream past the in-progress C-EPA Claybanks Project. These two projects will tie in together and provide integrated and systematic flood protection in a flood-vulnerable area of the City of Merritt.
Why is this project necessary?
Prior to the 2021 Atmospheric River Event (ARE), all flood modelling and protections on the Coldwater River were done with a water flow level of 130 cubic meters per second. The Nov 2021 ARE saw 320-400 cubic meters per second, and the new flood modelling and protection standard is 490 cubic meters per second.
This means that areas of the City that were not previously in the flood inundation zone, are now at risk and the pre-existing flood protections need to be built to accommodate more flow.
The North bank of the Coldwater River upstream of the Middlesboro bridge is one of these newly at-risk areas and requires new flood infrastructure to protect the residents in this area.
The City of Merritt has very limited tax dollars available for these large and complex projects, so the project is being built in a phased approach as senior government funding is available.
On February 3rd 2023 the Government of BC awarded Merritt a $2 million grant to build the C-EPA Claybanks Dike. This new C-EPA Middlesboro Phase 1 project, will continue this diking and get the City of Merritt closer to the completion of the 2022 Flood Mitigation Plan.
Where will the new dike be located?
In the below image, the new diking will be located in the red shaded area.
This is on the North bank of the Coldwater River, upstream of the Claybanks RV Park, between Garcia St and McMillan St.
Who is funding this project?
This project is fully funded by the Province of BC, through Emergency Management and Climate Readiness BC.
Modern dikes are large and complex projects, requiring significant engineering, permitting, and earthmoving.
The City of Merritt does not have the municipal tax base to support these critical safety projects, so the Government of BC has stepped in to provide assistance.
Is there any federal funding of this project?
This project is 100% funded by the Province of BC. No federal funding has been provided to the City of Merritt for this project.
How long will this project take?
This project will begin engineering and final design immediately. One key challenge is the short allowable work window on the Coldwater River, which is limited to just 11 days per year. Progression and completion of this project will depend on permitting authorities granting permission to work outside this window. Additionally, very few diking projects have been completed in BC over the past five years, creating uncertainty in planning timelines.
This project is currently slated for the summer 2026 construction season, but as noted above, many complexities are required to be solved before then. Therefore, an alternative construction schedule is being prepared with the earthworks being done in the summer 2027 season.
For updates, follow along on our Social Media Presence on LinkedIn, Facebook and on our website: flood.merritt.ca
How will Indigenous communities be involved?
The City of Merritt Flood Mitigation Team, together with our surrounding Indigenous partners, have developed a BC-leading Indigenous Engagement Plan (IEP), with a full time Indigenous Engagement Manager who is responsible for implementing this plan.
This IEP is available in its entirety at flood.merritt.ca
Will property owners be affected?
Property owners that may be potentially affected will be contacted directly to discuss next steps.
Contact with potentially affected landowners will occur in 2 stages.
- Spring 2025 - A letter will be sent out to all potentially affected landowners advising of the potential impacts. Engineering and acquisition staff may be available at this point, but as the final footprint is not set, financial compensation information will not be able to be provided.
- Fall 2025 – The third-party property acquisition team will contact the landowner to discuss details of the acquisition as the final footprint becomes clearer. All inquiries and discussions will be held at arms-length from the City. This third-party team will ensure compensation occurs in a fair and timely manner and is in accordance with all applicable laws and standards.
Additionally, as this is a part of the overall Flood Mitigation Plan (FMP) project, many properties and streets will experience temporary construction disruption as construction unfolds.
If you have any questions regarding how your property may be directly affected by the Project, please email floodmitigation@merritt.ca, include your name, address and questions.
How can residents give feedback on this project?
The Merritt Flood Mitigation Team can be reached at floodmitigation@merritt.ca, or at flood.merritt.ca/contact-us
This temporary department provides experienced assistance and capacity augmentation to the City of Merritt permanent staff, leadership, and council.
As a community-led effort, the Flood Mitigation Department still reports to CAO and Mayor/Council, so typical channels of communication through city staff and elected officials is also available.