MAPLE CREEK TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM EMERGENCY FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION PROGRAM

Maple Creek is the first community approved for assistance under the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program. Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is covering the cost for an engineering firm to design berms and has committed to cover 75 per cent of the cost of constructing the berms.

The $22 million Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program provides technical and financial assistance to communities and individuals to protect homes and permanent structures against flood damage in 2011. Due to a wet fall and above average snow accumulation, the risk of flooding during the spring runoff is higher than normal.

"The Maple Creek 2010 Flood Report recommended dyking as the only practical option to protect existing developments in Maple Creek," Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Dustin Duncan said. "Assistance under the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program will allow Maple Creek to design and build those berms to provide protection for the spring flood."

Wet weather through April and May of 2010, combined with a severe rainstorm produced record flooding in the Maple Creek area in June 2010. The Watershed Authority and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada had commissioned the report by Water Resource Consultants on the causes of the flood and options to prevent future flood damage. One of the recommendations made by Water Resource Consultants, the building of a berm, is seen as a crucial requirement for future flood protection for the town.

Further details about the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program are available at Saskatchewan Watershed Authority regional offices or on the Authority's website at www.swa.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Clinton Molde
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Weyburn
Phone: 306-848-2347
Email: clinton.molde@swa.ca