Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
The Cold Spring Creek debris flow mitigation project garnered a lot of interest during a Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) public meeting last week.
Approximately 80 people took part in the information session in Fairmont on November 30.
“It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout to the meeting,” said Electoral Area F Director Susan Clovechok. “Staff did a great job in covering all aspects of the project from the background of its evolution to the complex and significant funding, current construction updates and upcoming project elements.”
Construction on the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project is well underway and is expected to continue for the next three weeks before shutting down for the winter season. Work will resume in the spring.
Current efforts are focused on completing the relocation of the water mains and a temporary creek diversion downstream in order to build the outlet structure for the new debris barrier. This barrier will be approximately eight metres tall above the existing Cold Spring Creek channel with a three-metre wide vertical outlet opening at the channel. The outlet will have steel bars that will capture debris but allow water to pass through.
A rendering of the completed structure and a host of project-specific information has been posted on the project page at https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/debris. A recording of the meeting and copies of the presentation slides will also be available on the project page sometime this week.
The RDEK is building a large debris flow barrier that is designed to contain between 68,000 to 90,000 cubic metres of debris flow material. “This project will significantly reduce the debris flow risk in the community,” the district says.
As a point of interest, the RDEK has several huge boulders and a large quantity of rocks suitably sized and shaped for use as riprap. These boulders made their way to the site as part of previous debris flows.
Work will continue on the water mains with the goal being to have the new sections tied into the existing mains before the winter shutdown. It is noted there will be a water service interruption during the tie-in but adequate notice will be given.
There will continue to be increased traffic to and from the area, which will be closed to the public.
