Released on April 8, 2014
2014 Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program Now AvailableToday, Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency (WSA) Ken Cheveldayoff released the April forecast for spring runoff and announced the 2014 Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program.
The April runoff forecast ranges from well above normal in the Prince Albert area to above normal pockets in the Lloydminster and Rosetown regions. Some areas, like the southwest part of the province, have already experienced spring runoff without any issues.
“While most of the province is looking at a near normal spring runoff, there are still certain areas that may experience higher than normal water levels,” Cheveldayoff said. “As the temperatures start to increase and the spring runoff begins, the Water Security Agency will be monitoring how much precipitation we receive going forward as this can be a major factor on how the runoff progresses.”
A number of communities continue to deal with high water levels in closed basins in the central part of the province. Closed basins combined with several years of high water levels can be a major cause of flooding.
In order to assist communities across the province with flood mitigation efforts, the Water Security Agency is launching the 2014 Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program (EFDRP). The program provides engineering and technical assistance to municipalities and individuals while sharing the cost of permanent and temporary flood prevention works.
“We know there is a chance of flooding in certain areas across the province which is why we are launching another flood mitigation program this year,” Cheveldayoff said. “This program has proven to be extremely valuable for the people of Saskatchewan. From an analysis done in 2011, we know that for every dollar we invest in flood mitigation efforts we save $20 in damages.”
The EFDRP reimburses individuals for 85 per cent of the cost of approved permanent flood protection works that are built to provide protection from imminent flooding in 2014. Communities and businesses are eligible to recover 75 per cent of the cost of approved permanent flood protection works. Permanent flood protection works include projects like berms and culverts.
The program will also cover 50 per cent of the cost for temporary flood protection measures like the purchase of sand, sandbags and pumping.
Projects must be approved by the WSA in order to qualify for funding. Requests for assistance under the program should be directed to the nearest WSA regional office or by calling toll free at 1-866-727-5420.
The Water Security Agency will also continue to provide updates as the spring runoff progresses. The complete forecast including projected lake levels and stream flows is available at www.wsask.ca.
The Water Security Agency was created to lead implementation of the 25 Year Saskatchewan Water Security Plan. It will improve water management capacity and service to individuals, businesses and communities across Saskatchewan. The Agency brings together all of the major responsibilities related to water quality and quantity.
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For more information, contact:
Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: Patrick.Boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997