BC Floodplain Mapping

The Fraser Basin Council is managing and coordinating a floodplain mapping initiative on behalf of the Province of BC, with guidance and support from a Technical Committee and a Steering Committee. The technical work is being undertaken by consulting professionals, with input from communities.

Communities in regions of BC where there is a higher risk of flood (but a lack of updated flood maps) are participating in a floodplain mapping initiative that began in 2022.

With the agreement and collaboration of participating communities, these regions have been or are being mapped in this co-funded (federal-provincial) program:

With support of a federal-provincial technical committee, the Fraser Basin Council has coordinated the mapping work and retained engineering professionals to engage and collaborate with communities to develop flood maps. Mapping completed in 2024/2025 for the Upper Fraser and Nechako Rivers and for the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers. The other four projects are expected to complete later in 2025.

The initiative is generating floodplain maps that are of high quality and of a standard appropriate to support Indigenous governments and local governments in their regulatory and decision-making responsibilities.

The new maps will identify and describe flood hazard areas. The mapping information will help communities assess potential impacts to people, critical infrastructure and other assets and values. Communities can use them to:

The hydraulic models will be available for future map updates or for additional flood assessments. The maps will also be accessible to the public through a web portal.

Top banner image: Flooding in Fraser Canyon. Photo: BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.