Annex Dike Flood Protection & Active Transportation Improvements

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Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvement

The Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvement Project is the City's third major flood mitigation and protection initiative and is valued at $4.975 million (grant funded).

The Annex Dike protects the over 900 residences, 113 commercial properties, 6 industrial properties, and 2,000+ citizens living in the Annex neighbourhood.

Project Goals

The focus of the Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvement project is to:

  • Raise the dike along the 1,800 linear meters of the existing dike to identified flood construction levels
  • Reconstruct the dike slope and crest
  • Improve erosion protection

Background:

In 2019, the City of Fernie commissioned and completed a Flood Mitigation Plan, which identified flood hazards based on existing flood protection infrastructure and new floodplain mapping from the 2017 Elk River and 2014 Coal Creek studies. Many of the existing dikes were determined to be too low, and additional gaps in flood protection were identified throughout the community. The recommended mitigation measures throughout the City were prioritized based on the associated risks using a likelihood and consequence of failure methodology.

Based on this plan, the City has secured $8.234 million in funding to improve flood protection since 2019. So far, we’ve increased our flood protection in two locations, along the Mountview Dike and the Northlands "Maiden Lake" Dike. Our third and current project aims to provide flood protection for Annex residents by upgrading the Annex Dike.

Annex Neighbourhood Active Transportation Network Improvements

Further enhancements to the Annex Dike are also underway, funded through a $500,000 provincial Active Transportation grant that will provide paved trails, with accessible and inclusive features. These enhancements will integrate the Annex Neighbourhood Active Transportation Network, along the newly upgraded dike, with the grant-funded Fernie Valley Pathway Segment 1B.

Project Goals:

  • Provide accessible and inclusive features that benefit locals and visitors
  • Connect the Annex trail system to the Fernie Valley Pathway and provide improved inclusive accessibility and trail animation/interpretation

To advance these initiatives, the City is working on three separate but connected projects with a combined project value of $7.178 million:

  • Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvements – providing 1:500 flood protection for the Annex neighbourhood from the bridge to bridge.
  • Annex Neighbourhood Active Transportation Network Improvements – improving mobility and active transportation along the Annex Dike.
  • Fernie Valley Pathway Segment1B – enhancing our active transportation network from West Fernie Bridge to Provincial Park Road.

These projects represent a significant investment in meeting the challenges of climate change and climate change mitigation by investing in both flood protection and active transportation, supporting reduced reliance on motorized transportation throughout the community.

Project Status and Next Steps

The project was completed over the summer and fall of 2022. The contractor, Copcan Civil LP, wrapped up work in mid-December and the Annex Park and trail network is now re-open to the public. The contractor will return in spring of 2023 for some minor finishing touches and the City will have an opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of these three important projects.

Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvement

The Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvement Project is the City's third major flood mitigation and protection initiative and is valued at $4.975 million (grant funded).

The Annex Dike protects the over 900 residences, 113 commercial properties, 6 industrial properties, and 2,000+ citizens living in the Annex neighbourhood.

Project Goals

The focus of the Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvement project is to:

  • Raise the dike along the 1,800 linear meters of the existing dike to identified flood construction levels
  • Reconstruct the dike slope and crest
  • Improve erosion protection

Background:

In 2019, the City of Fernie commissioned and completed a Flood Mitigation Plan, which identified flood hazards based on existing flood protection infrastructure and new floodplain mapping from the 2017 Elk River and 2014 Coal Creek studies. Many of the existing dikes were determined to be too low, and additional gaps in flood protection were identified throughout the community. The recommended mitigation measures throughout the City were prioritized based on the associated risks using a likelihood and consequence of failure methodology.

Based on this plan, the City has secured $8.234 million in funding to improve flood protection since 2019. So far, we’ve increased our flood protection in two locations, along the Mountview Dike and the Northlands "Maiden Lake" Dike. Our third and current project aims to provide flood protection for Annex residents by upgrading the Annex Dike.

Annex Neighbourhood Active Transportation Network Improvements

Further enhancements to the Annex Dike are also underway, funded through a $500,000 provincial Active Transportation grant that will provide paved trails, with accessible and inclusive features. These enhancements will integrate the Annex Neighbourhood Active Transportation Network, along the newly upgraded dike, with the grant-funded Fernie Valley Pathway Segment 1B.

Project Goals:

  • Provide accessible and inclusive features that benefit locals and visitors
  • Connect the Annex trail system to the Fernie Valley Pathway and provide improved inclusive accessibility and trail animation/interpretation

To advance these initiatives, the City is working on three separate but connected projects with a combined project value of $7.178 million:

  • Annex Dike Flood Protection Improvements – providing 1:500 flood protection for the Annex neighbourhood from the bridge to bridge.
  • Annex Neighbourhood Active Transportation Network Improvements – improving mobility and active transportation along the Annex Dike.
  • Fernie Valley Pathway Segment1B – enhancing our active transportation network from West Fernie Bridge to Provincial Park Road.

These projects represent a significant investment in meeting the challenges of climate change and climate change mitigation by investing in both flood protection and active transportation, supporting reduced reliance on motorized transportation throughout the community.

Project Status and Next Steps

The project was completed over the summer and fall of 2022. The contractor, Copcan Civil LP, wrapped up work in mid-December and the Annex Park and trail network is now re-open to the public. The contractor will return in spring of 2023 for some minor finishing touches and the City will have an opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of these three important projects.

Feedback Opportunity: Concept Sketches

Following their first four meetings, the Advisory Group has proposed four distinct wellness stations. The wellness stations, once further refined, would be created in locations along the Annex Dike Neighbourhood Active Transportation Network. More information on the Advisory Group's journey to arrive at these concepts, as well as possible locations for the stations, is available under 'Advisory Group Journey' in the document section in the right-hand tab. Please take the opportunity to view the preliminary concept sketches below and provide any feedback you have on the the proposed stations. Recommendations based on the Advisory Group's work and related public feedback will be presented to Council for final approval in late March.

1) fitness trail/equipment (physical focus)

2) young meeting the old/conversation station (mental focus)

3) labyrinth/yoga zone (emotional focus) 

 4) outdoor classroom/parkour area (family focus).


In addition to the four stations, there will be elements that fall along the trail such as plantings, signage, and benches.

If you have any feedback regarding the preliminary concept sketches, please provide them in the comment box below. 

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded. Thank you for your feedback.

Also you don't have a picture on number two, is a duplicate of number three.. what does a conversation station even mean??

This is beyond ridiculous.

Laura Eadie about 2 years ago
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So the same sort of gym equipment that is outside the aquatic centre that is only used by kids as play equipment?

And all features that can only be used for part of the year...meanwhile you elimate a year round off leash area that actually got used.

Please consider the maintenance that is required to make this area actually usable (let alone accessible) in winter... Currently the trails are barely walkable for most of winter as the grooming is inconsistent and barely there.

So disappointed in the council's intended use on this area. And dismayed at the lack of transparency and communication around the removal of the off leash dog park, and lack of council funding given to the volunteer run dog park in lieu of having a council dog park.

Laura Eadie about 2 years ago
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Page last updated: 23 May 2023, 02:42 PM