The completion of the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project was officially celebrated in Fairmont Hot Springs October 8.

The project will significantly reduce the debris flow risk in the community. One of the key components of the project was the construction of a large debris flow barrier that is designed to contain 84,000 cubic meters of debris flow material, which is roughly a 300-1000-year return period event.

The barrier is approximately 8m tall and 135m long above the existing Cold Spring Creek channel with a 3m wide vertical outlet opening at the channel. The outlet includes steel bars that will capture debris but allow water to pass through. Other components of the project included a creek diversion and basin excavation, relocation and reinforcement of water lines, and creation of an access road upstream of the barrier for construction and future maintenance access.

Securing 98.5% grant funding from multiple funding programs, including significant contributions from federal and provincial sources, was crucial to the realization of the $13.6 million project. This essential financial support enabled the Regional District to move forward with a project designed to enhance community safety and substantially mitigate the risk of debris flow, demonstrating the indispensable role of funding in achieving such critical infrastructure goals in small rural communities. Funding for the project included:

UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Structural Flood Mitigation Stream (2019)	$ 750,000
Fairmont Flood and Landslide Service Area Contribution	$ 150,000
Community Works Funds	$ 475,000
Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream- Adaptation, Resilience and Disaster Mitigation (**80/20 Federal / Provincial split**)	$ 9,723,000
UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Disaster Risk Reduction - Climate Adaptation (2023/2024)	$ 2,000,000
Growing Communities Fund (amount is approximate)	$ 500,000

Construction on the project began in September 2023.

Pictured left to right: Brett Allingham (Mackay), Rob Mackay (Mackay), Colin Van Andel (Mackay), Joe Croxon (Mackay), Kara Zandbergen (RDEK Project Supervisor, Flood Mitigation and Water Resources), Susan Clovechok (RDEK Electoral Area F Director), Brian Funke (former RDEK Engineering Services Manager), Rob Gay (RDEK Board Chair), Kevin Mohr (McElhanney)