b'PROJECT PROFILESouth Ruckle dike project.GRAND SLAM BY JAMES PETERSGRAND FORKS MITIGATES FUTURE FLOOD EVENTS WITH A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATIONS APPROACHfter the devastating 2018 flood inRECORD FLOOD The event occurred just days before the A Grand Forks, B.C., city staff andIn May 2018, Grand Forks experiencedmunicipality had planned to update its engineering consultants created aa record floodthe result of historicfloodplain maps to better understand comprehensive flood mitigation programsnow accumulation, record-breakingthe hazards and natural assets in the area. to protect residents and infrastructureprecipitation and significant spring heat.Damage from the 2018 flood impacted from future high-magnitude flooding. TheJust one of those factors would be enoughapproximately 240 hectares in the city, South Ruckle and Rockwool dikes are theto cause flooding, let alone all combined.and the impact to the surrounding rural latest in a series of large projects within theCharacterized as a once-in-200-yearareas has been estimated at thousands program and represent the essence of theevent, the flood had a major impact onof hectares of additional territory, citys collaborative approach. the city and surrounding area.including farmland. We emphasized open and clearRockwool dike project.communication with the community and impacted businesses from the start of these projects, says Ben Stevens, director of capital projects with the City of Grand Forks. For example, the year prior to the South Ruckle project starting, we hosted a public open house to listen to residents and understand their perspectives and desires. That way, we could address as many of those concerns [as possible] prior to finalizing the design.28 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'