FAQ

Climate change scientists predict that sea level will rise 1.0 m by 2100.

Computer soil models predict that the City's dikes will sustain some damage during an earthquake, however, the dikes will remain an intact barrier to flooding. City staff have emergency equipment readily available to repair critical damage after an earthquake or other significant event.

The City maintains a proactive drainage program which includes 581 km of pipes, 39 drainage pump stations, 61 km of culverts, and 165 km of watercourses. The City is prepared to mitigate the impacts of climate change through pump station upgrades, storm sewer maintenance and upgrades, laneway drainage, agricultural drainage, agricultural irrigation, and implementation of stormwater retention infrastructure. In addition, opportunities to use technology and integrated sensor and weather data for early detection and prediction of risk and mitigation of flooding are being explored in collaboration with key agencies through Richmond's participation in the Government of Canada's Smart Cities Challenge.

The City needs to raise dike elevations to accommodate climate change induced sea level rise, king tide, storm surge, and freshet.

When a waterfront property is developed, there is an opportunity to build the property to the target dike elevation, creating a "superdike". This strategy strengthens the dike while providing protection to infrastructure behind the dike. When a City lot is redeveloped, the owner is required to build the building to or above the Flood Construction Level. This strategy elevates redeveloped areas out of the flood plain.