Feds commit $21.7M for flood prevention infrastructure on Vancouver Island

More than $21.7 million from Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) has been earmarked for flood prevention measures in Malahat Nation and the Gwa’sala-ʼNakwaxda’xw Nations on Vancouver Island.

The Gwa’sala-ʼNakwaxda’xw Nations is receiving $12.2 million address recurring coastal and river flooding. The preliminary design selected includes the construction of a new planned beach, the building of a dike and the raising of the lands behind it, upgrades and raising of the existing bridge, and the rebuilding of lower-lying lands at a higher level to help prevent flooding in Tsulquate 4.

The Malahat Nation is receiving $9,504,572 to rehabilitate and modernize the aging Oliphant Lake dam. The construction of a rockfill addition downstream and a new spillway will control the release of water. The upgrades will manage reservoir levels and water output from Oliphant Lake to help protect the community and the lands downstream from flooding.

Chief Terry Walkus of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations thanked Canada and the DMAF program in a news release.

“Since being re-located to the Tsulquate Reserve from our traditional territories over 50 years ago, our Nation has lived with the risk of potential devastation to our only bridge/road access, and the 40 per cent of our homes in the flood/tsunami zone,” Walkus said. “The $12.2 million in funding for this project will greatly assist the Gwa’sala ‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations through critical infrastructure and safety upgrades along the Tsulquate River and coastline that is home to so many of our families, both now – and for generations to come.”