Residents of Merritt’s Fir Rd., located in the Collettville neighbourhood, presented a petition to Mayor and council at the regular council meeting of Feb. 8, requesting that the City consider potential ways to reinforce and protect the clay banks of the Coldwater River near their homes.

Although residents of Fir Rd. were not directly impacted by the extreme flooding event of Nov. 2021, they have raised concerns about possible secondary damage, particularly as the change of seasons and potential spring freshets draws near. 

“The devastating flooding of November 15, 2021 changed the flow of the Coldwater River,” said Kate Harrison, a signee of the petition and resident who presented to council. 

“The river is now running directly against the clay banks below Fir Road. The erosion that this will lead to is threatening public and private property and structures. It is our understanding that, the flooding eroded the land around the Middlesborough Bridge and that area will need to be repaired and fortified in order to support the new bridge.”

The Middlesborough, or Voght St. bridge, was washed out by the high waters and debris flowing down the Coldwater River, collapsing sometime during the night of Nov. 15 and remaining impassable even now, more than 85 days after the event. 

“The river’s new course is eroding the clay banks near the bridge and it is not a matter of if, but when, there will be damage to the land and the roads in that area,” Harrison continued.

“Fir Road is in danger, not only from devastating flooding, but from regular seasonal high water and ice floes. We are asking that while the Middlesborough bridge is being repaired and the surrounding land being fortified, that the clay banks on the Coldwater river will also be protected in the way that is deemed most effective and environmentally responsible.” 

Following November’s flooding the City has dedicated significant time and manpower to the recovery process and associated logistics, with City of Merritt CAO Sean Smith noting that this request could be worked into these ongoing plans. 

“Absolutely this is something that we can explore,” said Smith.

He did, however, suggest that responsibility for researching potential solutions be shifted from the Director of Public Works and Engineering to the dedicated recovery team, and also that it possibly be decoupled from the Middlesborough bridge project in order to be included in the much broader floodplain discussion. 

“It’s a sensible approach and I don’t have any concerns from the staff side in exploring that option.” 

Several councillors spoke in favour of the request put forward in the letter and petition. 

“I know that erosion in that area is a concern, and I think that if we don’t do something we could see heavy damage and  erosion of the road and damage to homes, so I’m happy if we can move along with that section as well,” said Councillor Adam Etchart. 

Councillor Tony Luck made reference to the fact that erosion and instability in the clay banks area is something that the City had been working on for at least three years, noting that the Ministry of Environment has indicated that without intervention the river will likely continue to move farther west and impact more homes and infrastructure in the area. 

“We’ve had a disaster here in Merritt and I think this is a golden opportunity to be able to include this in some of the restoration that’s going to be taking place and building back resiliency in our community,” said Luck. 

“I’m going to fully support this and I really look forward to seeing what staff report to us.” 

Councillor Kurt Christopherson suggested that, in addition to looking at remediation work in this area, all future developments should consider “the lay of the land” ahead of home construction. 

“To be able to look to the future to see whether the areas being built in are indeed wise to build in,” said Christopherson. 

Smith was quick to assure that in the City’s updated Official Community Plan (OCP), these geotechnical hazards and concerns are addressed. 

The motion that staff explore ways of reinforcing and protecting the clay banks area of the Coldwater River from further erosion and damage was passed unanimously.