Sunnyside Flood Barrier

To protect Sunnyside from future flooding, the Flood Mitigation Measures Assessment​ (FMMA) report, approved by Council in spring of 2017, recommended that a combination of mitigation solutions that work together to create a flexible and adaptable flood risk management program. Each piece of the strategy provides great benefits independently, but together, they ensure the most effective flood protection strategy.

Below is a summary of this multi-measure approach to building flood resiliency that includes the construction of a new upstream reservoir, as well as changes to the TransAlta’s Ghost Reservoir and the construction of community-level flood barriers.

Learn more about Calgary's Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Plan.

The location of the flood wall is not yet finalized; the location will be refined as the design progresses. The general alignment of the flood barrier has been determined. We are currently in the detailed design stage, which takes a closer look at the constraints and refines the design  such as the exact location and type of flood barrier over the 1.9 km length.

The 1 in 100-year option is the recommended barrier height for Sunnyside because it’s reflective of the best balance between social, environmental and economic considerations. It’s an investment that enhances the safety of residents and our ability to protect those most vulnerable, while having a lesser impact to the community look and feel. The 1 in 100-year option meets the federal and provincial flood protection standards. When constructed, it will immediately reduce Sunnyside’s risk from a 2013-level flood. This option will be further enhanced by current and future upstream reservoirs on the Bow River, allowing it to manage even larger floods.

Feedback garnered through public engagement will be used to inform elements such as public amenities and open space adjacent to the flood barrier and will not inform any design decisions for the flood barrier. We do not anticipate that engagement for the Memorial Parkway project will delay the overall construction timelines for the Sunnyside Flood Barrier project.

As we advanced the flood barrier design, we recognized the significant impact this project would have on the area. During this time, it also uncovered some opportunities to integrate the flood barrier into other work that was happening in this area and a desire to capitalize on this moment to protect and enhance the area as much as possible while adding the flood protection. 

To help increase flood resiliency and create spaces that enhance the connection with the river, natural environment and commemorate our heritage, we’re combining this work through an integrated program. We recognized that by taking a more integrated approach we could achieve the best outcome for the area.

As part of The City’s emergency response plan, we are ready to respond, if needed, in areas that are still vulnerable to river flooding. We stockpile riverbank protection and temporary barrier materials and each spring our City teams review their plans, conduct site visits and train crews.  

In addition, every spring, infrastructure such as water main valves, stormwater outfall gates, lift stations and pump are prepared, tested or positioned for flood season to reduce potential damages during a flood.

PCL Construction Management Inc. (PCL) has been selected as the construction manager for delivery of the Sunnyside Flood Barrier project and public realm improvements.

We are using a construction management approach to allow the project team greater design flexibility and project control to address schedule and community impacts.

We know that there are several historical and socially significant sections of the Sunnyside Flood Barrier alignment, so using a construction management approach allows more time to work through the details of those while getting started on the more straightforward areas.