See how Surrey is building community resilience to coastal flooding and sea level rise.

Preparing for Coastal Flooding

Around the world, extreme weather is becoming more frequent, more severe and more damaging. It is predicted that sea levels will rise by 1 metre by 2100, and 2 metres by 2200.

Surrey's Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy (CFAS) outlines a range of strategic actions to increase community resilience and safety when it comes to coastal flooding. Our actions include securing funding for innovative, nature-based solutions and large-scale structural projects to strengthen and protect our lowlands and floodplains.

Disaster Mitigation & Adaptation Fund Program

To implement the first phase of actions outlined in CFAS, the City received over $76 million from the Government of Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). The DMAF investment supports 13 projects valued at over $187 million to protect our neighbourhoods, businesses, agriculture, significant habitat areas and critical infrastructure. Together these projects will:

  • establish multiple lines of defense against coastal flooding,
  • lower nationally significant coastal and riverine flood and seismic vulnerabilities; and
  • improve emergency response connectivity and disaster recovery time.

By integrating climate-adaptive design and a life-cycle approach, these projects are crucial to achieving a future 200-year level of protection. They include:

Colebrook Dyke Upgrades

STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Upgrading 7.5 kilometres of the earth dyke along Mud Bay and at the mouth of the Serpentine River, including flood boxes, providing protection to the Highway 99 regional link to the Peace Arch border, BC Hydro’s primary transmission line and regional sewer and watermains. This project will be done in phases.

Read more

Colebrook Drainage Pump Station Replacement

STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Removing and replacing existing pump station built in the 1990’s at 13168 - 48 Avenue with a modern pump station. The new pump station will protect the agricultural floodplain area from extreme flooding. It will include new ‘fish friendly’ pumps to allow fish to pass through unharmed and will be less vulnerable to the impacts of a seismic event.

Serpentine River Sea Dam

STATUS: PLANNING
Removing and replacing the sea dam with a modern structure that is climate and seismic resilient. The new structure will have a higher crest elevation, and a robust foundation and dyke tie-in to resist extreme earthquakes.

152 Street Road Upgrades

STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Raising and widening 152 Street crossing the floodplain and making improvements along King George Blvd from Highway 99 to Serpentine River to provide secondary flood protection for 152 Street. We will also twin the Nicomekl River Bridge and create a four-lane road and bridge crossing with cycling and pedestrian pathways. This will improve flood resilience and emergency response as well as help reduce congestion. 

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Nicomekl Riverfront Park

STATUS: PLANNING AND DESIGN
Creating a 3-km riparian park that incorporates recreation, traditional culture and natural values with flood attenuation features. These features will include wetlands and habitat islands. The new Nicomekl Riverfront Park will employ innovative climate adaptation and mitigation measures. It will also provide opportunities for reconciliation, climate awareness, and environmental stewardship.

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King George Boulevard Bridge and Nicomekl River Sea Dam Replacement

BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT STATUS: COMPLETE
Replacing the aging single-lane Bailey bridge and the two-lane timber trestle bridge with a modern four-lane crossing including multiuse pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. The new crossing will increase the safety and capacity of this nationally significant transportation corridor. 

View the Nicomekl River Bridge Replacement & Other Improvements

SEA DAM PROJECT STATUS: PLANNING
Upgrading the adjacent 100-year old sea dam to improve flood and irrigation controls.

Crescent Beach Storm Sewer Upgrades

STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Continuing expansion of perforated storm sewer system together with ground and road raising. This will provide efficient conveyance to manage storm water runoff and rising groundwater levels. This project will be done in phases.

Read more about the Crescent Beach Storm Sewer Upgrades

Lower Nicomekl River and Serpentine River Dyking

STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Upgrading the dyking system including the 3-kilometre reach of the Nicomekl River between Elgin Road and the 40 Avenue Pump Station, as well as the Serpentine dyke between 88 Avenue and Fraser Highway. This will increase the area's resiliency to sea level rise and protect Surrey lowlands from coastal flooding. We will also replace the flood boxes at Fry's Corner Pump Station (7627-176 St) to protect the surrounding area, agriculture and highways from future flooding. This project will be done in phases.

SRY Rail Link Serpentine Bridge Replacement

STATUS: COMPLETED
The new railway bridge is resilient to flooding and sea level rise. It will help the city realize the full benefits of the Serpentine-Nicomekl flood control system to improve flood control of agricultural land.

Read more about the SRY Rail Link Serpentine Bridge Replacement

Burrows Drainage Pump Station Upgrade

STATUS: COMPLETED
The new Burrows Pump Station is resilient to flooding and earthquakes. The new design allows fish to pass through it easier and it has better flood control and irrigation for surrounding agriculture. A new building houses the electric controls to power the new fish-friendly pump.

Read more about the Burrows Drainage Pump Station Upgrade 

Stewart Farm Sanitary Pump Station Upgrade

STATUS: COMPLETED
The new Stewart Farm Sanitary Pump Station has been upgraded to accommodate sea-level rise.

Read more about the Stewart Farm Sanitary Pump Station Upgrade

Campbell River Pedestrian Bridge Replacement

STATUS: PLANNING
Partnering with the Semiahmoo First Nation to remove and replace the failing pedestrian bridge over the Campbell River. This bridge connects the Semiahmoo First Nation with the City of Surrey and City of White Rock. The new structure will be built to current flood protection standards and allow for 1 meter of sea level rise. It will also provide an alternate emergency access route.

Mud Bay Nature-based Foreshore Enhancements

STATUS: IN PROGRESS
Partnering with the City of Delta to design nature-based solutions based on the living dyke concept at two locations in Boundary Bay. This will mitigate river flooding and the loss of biodiversity. It will also help salt marsh habitats keep pace with rising sea levels.

Read more about the Mud Bay Nature-based Foreshore Enhancements Project

 

These projects are funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

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