Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy Initiative

The Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy (LMFMS) initiative wrapped up work in 2023. This multi-year initiative was aimed at supporting the development of a regional strategy to reduce the risks associated with Fraser River and coastal flooding and to increase the flood resilience of BC Lower Mainland communities.  A multi-governmental leadership committee oversaw Phase 2 and the final reports.

ON THIS PAGE

• Phase 1 Highlights (2014-2016)
• Phase 2 Highlights (2016-2023)
• Visit FloodWise for Flood Maps, Project Reports and other Deliverables

Phase 1 Highlights

Phase 1 of the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy (2014-2016) was completed in May 2016. The work of this phase included:

• an analysis of Lower Mainland flood scenarios
• a regional assessment of flood vulnerabilities and
• a review of current flood protection works and practices

The results show that there is significant risk of a large-magnitude flood in the Lower Mainland, and that the risk is projected to worsen over the next 85 years, both in terms of flood frequency and size, because of sea level rise and other projected impacts of climate change. If a major Fraser River or coastal flood were to occur between now and 2100, it would trigger losses estimated at $20 to 30 billion, which would be the largest disaster in Canadian history.

Phase 1 shows the importance of a regional strategy and a major investment in flood risk reduction. The costs of a major flood event far outweigh the costs associated with effective flood mitigation.

The Phase 1 Summary Report is available below. Visit the FloodWise website for the Phase 1 background reports and flood scenario maps.

Phase 1 Summary Report

Phase 1 Summary Report (May, 2016)

 [top]

---

Phase 2 Highlights

Phase 2 of the LMFMS initiative focused on more advanced and detailed technical work to increase understanding of flood hazards and risks. Phase 2 also involved efforts to advance work on a regional strategy, through the collaboration of governments and other entities with flood-related responsibilities.

Strategic Highlights

During Phase 2 of the LMFMS, a preliminary working draft of a strategy was developed, and input was invited from governments having various flood responsibilities. The process identified areas of consensus but also differences. The Pathways to Action report below sets out the background and 10 recommendations to frame the next steps, including steps to advance government-to-government collaboration on flood risk reduction.

The multi-governmental leadership committee overseeing the initiative recognized that more was needed to advance the work, including the alignment of regional or subregional flood planning in the Lower Mainland with the upcoming BC Flood Strategy. It also recognized the need to co-create flood risk reduction approaches with First Nations, especially in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

The Province of BC will follow up to discuss the Pathways to Action report with First Nations and other orders of government. One of the early priorities for flood risk reduction recommended in the Pathways report is protecting or otherwise increasing the flood resilience of critical infrastructure and essential services in the region.

Technical Highlights

The following projects were completed in Phase 2:

• Hydraulic Flood Modelling and Mapping in the Lower Mainland (2019)
• Flood and Environment Atlas (2019)
• Lower Mainland Flood Risk Assessment (2020)
• FloodWise website (2020)
• Lower Mainland Dikes: An Analysis of Freeboard and Vulnerability (2022)

The Phase 2 technical work created important resources for governments in the region. To learn more, see the Synthesis of Technical Analysis report below. Find all the Phase 2 maps and reports on the FloodWise site.

 

Synthesis of Technical Analysis
Summer 2023

The Synthesis of Technical Analysis report summarizes the information and tools developed and shared with flood authorities and other organizations through the LMFMS initiative respecting Fraser River and coastal flood hazards and risks. The report was prepared by the Fraser Basin Council.

---

Visit FloodWise

For all the reports, flood maps and other deliverables in Phases 1 and 2 of the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy initiative, visit floodwise.ca.

Quick links to FloodWise

• Phase 1 Highlights, Proujects and Reports
• Phase 2 Highlights, Projects and Reports
• Flood Maps from Phases 1 and 2

Questions? Contact , Director, Water Programs at the Fraser Basin Council.

 [top]