Water experts in Alberta played an important role before, during and after the 2013 floods providing information and knowledge to government, municipalities, and citizens. Prior to the June flooding, water experts across Alberta and in different provinces held various positions responsible for water policy, infrastructure and services. Once the flooding began on June 19th, these various levels of expertise were called upon to aid in flood response and recovery. After flood-waters receded and the full-extent of damage was realized across southern Alberta, water experts were then engaged to plan the next steps forward.
Robert Sandford, the Canadian chairman of the United Nations Water for Life Decade initiative, provided insights and expertise in the area of flood prediction and the need for a national system. Sandford’s advice to government for a national system of flood prediction, resulted from failed prediction measures. Had better prediction measures been put in place they would have provided southern Albertan municipalities with more time and information to prepare for flooding. Sanford’s message for improved flood warning systems coincides with reviews of mitigation measures currently underway. Taken together, Sandford’s expertise and reviews of water forecasting and mitigation practices in the province should produce an improved flood response system for future events.
John Pomeroy, Research Chair in Water Resources & Climate Change at the University of Saskatchewan, explained that the June 2013 floods permanently altered the Rocky Mountain and foothills landscape compromising how that area will be able to handle future flooding [1]. Additionally, the silt and debris carried by the Bow River heavily impacted trout populations in the river threatening their habitat and future livelihood. Pomeroy’s suggestions for future flood mitigation measures include the need for improved municipal planning that incorporates floodways and flood maps.
Alberta WaterSMART, led by CEO Kim Sturgess, had an important role to play in flood response measures and analysis after the flooding impacted southern Alberta. The development of their collaborative paper, The 2013 Great Alberta Flood: Actions to Mitigate, Manage and Control Future Floods, provided the groundwork and collaboration necessary for water experts to provide solutions. In their paper, WaterSMART provides six recommendations for future planning and flood mitigation efforts [2]. Each recommendation carefully outlines the need for collaborative, well-thought out solutions to future extreme weather events.
Responses from a variety of other groups included Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Cooperators Insurance on flood insurance issues, and environmental organizations. Each of these groups provided advice and expertise in their area of specialty; structural and civil engineering, flooding insurance as it relates to homes and businesses, and water management from an environmental perspective. Including these areas of expertise in a collaborative approach will continue to play an important role in future flood mitigation strategies.
Share this Post:
We provide Canadian educational resources on water practices to promote conservation and sustainability. Our team crafts current and relevant content, while encouraging feedback and engagement.
The Canada WaterPortal is a registered charity, #807121876RR0001
We recognize and respect the sovereignty of the Indigenous Peoples and communities on whose land our work takes place.
© 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.
Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.
Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market. With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry.
Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector.
He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency.
Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field.
Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation. As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.