Fraser River dikes need to be built higher to withstand higher floods caused by climate change and rising sea levels, according to a report released by the British Columbia government July 11.
The province has predicted that sea levels will rise over the next 50 to 75 years, and will be one metre higher in 100 years.
Because of that change, the Metro Vancouver area will see more frequent high floods: events that happen every 200 to 500 years now will occur every 50 years, according to the July 11 report.
All but one of the dikes on the Fraser River are now too low to hold back the very high flooding expected.
All three levels of government will now have to work together on developing “a regional flood protection strategy that prioritizes high-risk areas,” according to B.C.’s Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations.
@jenstden
