On October 10, 2014 ICLR conducted a Friday Forum workshop on the state of floodplain mapping in Canada. Public Safety Canada is the lead federal agency responsible for disaster prevention and mitigation. In response to increases in flood intensity and flood damage over the past number of years, PSC has completed the National Floodplain Mapping Assessment. The Assessment includes three parts: a review of international practices, the state of flood hazard mapping across Canada including the cost of updating the and mapping to proposed standards, and a Framework that established state-of-the-art standards for both the update of flood hazard mapping and the development of national flood risk data base. This presentation focused on the National Floodplain Management Framework including the proposed mapping standards, anticipated implementation steps, and the scope and intent of the flood risk database. The second half of the presentation focused on recent advancements in effectively defining urban overland flood risk. Urban overland flooding is caused by intense rainfall events in areas where there is insufficient storm sewer system capacity and poorly defined overland flow routes. Currently, across Canada urban areas prone to urban flooding are not generally defined. Moreover, in cases that are known to be flood prone the risk is rarely quantified. By better defining areas at risk, municipalities can focus efforts in effective urban overland flood mitigation. Workshop leader Tim Mereu, Vice President of MMM Group, has responsibility for Water Resources and Environmental Services. He has thirty years of consulting experience with a focus on water resources, including flood risk management, policy and standards development, master planning, channel restoration, and storm water management. Tim was the Project Manager for the recently completed National Floodplain Mapping Assessment undertaken by Public Safety Canada.

1. FLOOD RISK IN CANADA – MOVING FORWARD
• NATIONAL FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
• ADVANCEMENTS IN URBAN FLOODING
Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
October 10, 2014

2. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
► Flood Risk Primer
► National Floodplain Management Framework
► Urban Overland Flooding

3. x
► x
FLOOD RISK PRIMER
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FLOOD RISK
PRIMER
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123RF Stock Photo</a>

4. TYPES OF FLOODING

5. TYPES OF FLOODING

6. TYPES OF FLOODING
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7. TYPES OF FLOODING
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href='http://www.123rf.com/profil
e_vicnt'>vicnt / 123RF Stock
Photo</a>

8. RIVERINE FLOODING
► Calgary 2013, Toronto 1954,
Winnipeg 2011
► Canada-wide Hazard
Mapping
► Until now, Risk not typically
defined
► The focus of the new federal
flood management initiative

9. HAZARD MAPPING VERSUS RISK MAPPING
Hazard Mapping
► Limits of hazard
► Used for regulating land use
in floodplain
Risk Mapping and Database
► Frequency, depth, duration
► Consequence

10. RIVERINE FLOODING - ICE
WINNIPEG 1926

11. URBAN OVERLAND FLOODING
► Two types:
► Urban only(pluvial)
► Riverine/urban hybrid
► Typically caused by
intense summer storms
► Capacity of storm
sewers and road
network is exceeded

12. BASEMENT FLOODING
► Generally caused by
sewer backup
► Risk can be determined
but costly to assess
► Can be remedied
through conveyance
improvements and
disconnects
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13. COASTAL FLOODING
► Generally caused by
high winds, but along
lake shores can also
be caused by high
water levels
► Shoreline hazard
mapping existing for
many lakes across
Canada but relatively
few coastlines

14. KEY STEPS IN CREATING FLOOD HAZARD MAPPING
• Base Mapping
• Hydrology – the estimate of peak flows
• Hydraulics – the calculation of flood elevations
• Flood Plain Mapping – Mapping of lines and
elevations
14

15. TYPICAL FLOOD HAZARD MAP

16. TYPICAL FLOOD HAZARD MAP

17. REGULATING FLOOD PLAINS ACROSS CANADA

18. Floodway and Flood Fringe Development
Tim
18

19. HOW ACCURATE IS CURRENT MAPPING?
19

20. How Often will it Flood?
SINGLE SITE
Return Period
(years)
Annual
Probability (%)
Probability in
next 10-years
Probability in
next 50-years
Probability in
next 100-years
Probability in
next 250-years
2 50% 100% 100% 100% 100%
25 4% 34% 87% 98% 100%
100 1% 10% 39% 63% 92%
500 0.2% 2% 10% 18% 39%
1000 0.1% 1% 5% 10% 22%
10 INDEPENDENT SITES
Return Period
(years)
Annual
Probability (%)
Probability in
next 10-years
Probability in
next 50-years
Probability in
next 100-years
Probability in
next 250-years
2 50% 100% 100% 100% 100%
25 4% 98% 100% 100% 100%
100 1% 63% 99% 100% 100%
500 0.2% 18% 63% 86% 99%
1000 0.1% 10% 39% 63% 92%
20

21. National Floodplain Management
Framework
Will serve as a guiding document in
managing and reducing flood risk
across Canada through the
development of state-of-the art flood
risk mapping.
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22. NATIONAL FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
► Project Scope
► Project Rationale
► Key study tasks
► Findings and Recommendations
► Next Steps

23. PROJECT SCOPE
► Review of International and Provincial Best
Practices

24. PROJECT SCOPE
► Review of International and Provincial Best
Practices
► Assess state of Mapping across Canada

25. PROJECT SCOPE
► Review of International and Provincial Best
Practices
► Assess state of Mapping across Canada
► Recommend Standards Framework

26. PROJECT SCOPE
► Review of International and Provincial Best
Practices
► Assess state of Mapping across Canada
► Recommend Standards Framework
► Identify implementation requirements including
cost

27. National Floodplain Management
Framework
PROJECT RATIONALE
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28. PROJECT RATIONALE
► Notable increase in flooding in the past decade with
annual damages exceeding $1 billion
$$
$$

29. PROJECT RATIONALE
► Notable increase in flooding in the past decade with
annual damages exceeding $1 billion
► No national initiative since completion of FDRP in 1995

32. PROJECT RATIONALE
► Notable increase in flooding in the past decade with
annual damages exceeding $1 billion
► No national initiative since completion of FDRP in 1995
► Public Safety Canada is the lead federal agency
responsible for national disaster mitigation

33. PROJECT RATIONALE
► Notable increase in flooding in the past decade with annual
damages exceeding $1 billion
► No national initiative since completion of FDRP in 1995
► Public Safety Canada is the lead federal agency responsible for
national disaster mitigation
► There is no residential overland flood insurance program in
Canada
No Insurance!
Are you kidding me!!!

34. National Floodplain Management
Framework
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE
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35. RECOMMENDING FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES
► Continue to develop Flood Hazard Maps
► Will be supplemented by a Flood Risk Data Base
and Flood Risk Mapping
► Nationally coordinated data base that is accessible

36. RECOMMENDING FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES
► Continue to develop Flood Hazard Maps
► Will be supplemented by a Flood Risk Data Base
and Flood Risk Mapping
► Nationally coordinated data base that is accessible
Will lead to:
► Reduction in flood damage
► Availability of flood insurance
Where is my
Broker when
I need him !!

37. National Floodplain Management
Framework
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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38. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
► Technical Accuracy
► Effective in assessing and Managing Risk
► Accessible to the User
► Information is Current

39. Technical Accuracy And Hurricane
Hazel?

40. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
► Technical Accuracy
► Effective in Assessing and Managing Risk
► Accessible to the User
► Information is Current

41. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
► Technical Accuracy
► Effective in assessing and Managing Risk
► Accessible to the User
► Information is Current

42. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
► Technical Accuracy
► Effective in assessing and Managing Risk
► Accessible to the User
► Information is Current

43. National Floodplain Management
Framework
INTERNATIONAL
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44. INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES
What can we learn from practices in other countries,
most specifically:
► EU: France, Switzerland, Germany
► United Kingdom
► United States
► Australia
► New Zealand

45. INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES
What we learned
► 20 years ago we were among the leaders but
we have been surpassed in some respects
► National leadership
► More emphasis on integrating hazard
mapping and flood risk data
► Accessibility
► Hurricane Hazel as a Regulatory event is the
mist stringent noted

46. National Floodplain Management
Framework
VARIATIONS ACROSS
CANADA
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47. VARIATIONS ACROSS CANADA
Differences:
► Regulatory events
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48. VARIATIONS ACROSS CANADA
Differences:
► Regulatory events
► Governance models
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49. VARIATIONS ACROSS CANADA
Differences:
► Regulatory events
► Governance models
► Approach to building in
flood plains including
SPAs
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50. VARIATIONS ACROSS CANADA
Differences:
► Regulatory events
► Governance models
► Approach to building in
floodplains including
SPAs
► Challenges

51. National Floodplain Management
Framework
EXPERT OPINION
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52. OPINIONS OF PROVINCIAL EXPERTS
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53. OPINIONS OF PROVINCIAL EXPERTS
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54. OPINIONS OF PROVINCIAL EXPERTS
► Move beyond hazard mapping to consider risk
► The 1:100-year event is not sufficient
► Expand and Update mapping
► Address governance and capacity limitations
► Accessibility

55. OPINIONS OF PROVINCIAL EXPERTS
► Move beyond hazard mapping to consider risk
► The 1:100-year event is not sufficient
► Expand and Update mapping
► Address governance and capacity limitations
► Accessibility

56. OPINIONS OF PROVINCIAL EXPERTS
► Move beyond hazard mapping to consider risk
► The 1:100-year event is not sufficient
► Expand and Update mapping
► Address governance and capacity limitations
► Accessibility

57. OPINIONS OF PROVINCIAL EXPERTS
► Move beyond hazard mapping to consider risk
► The 1:100-year event is not sufficient
► Expand and Update mapping
► Address governance and capacity limitations
► Accessibility

58. OPINIONS OF PROVINCIAL EXPERTS
► Move beyond hazard mapping to consider risk
► The 1:100-year event is not sufficient
► Expand and Update mapping
► Address governance and capacity limitations
► Accessibility

59. National Floodplain Management
Framework
STATUS OF MAPPING
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60. STATUS OF MAPPING ACROSS CANADA
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Date of Floodplain Mapping
1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014
Floodplain Mapping (km)
Year

61. STATUS OF MAPPING ACROSS CANADA
TABLE 1: AGE OF EXISTING MAPPING
Period
Total (%) Percentile Year Completed
1970-1979 7 25 1987
1980-1989 24 50 1996
1990-1999 22 75 2006
2000-2009 39
2010-2013 8
TOTAL (km) 28,100

62. STATUS OF MAPPING ACROSS CANADA
TABLE 2: MAPPING SUMMARY
Total Length
(km)
Urban
(km)
Rural
(km)
Urban
(%)
Median
age
British Columbia 2,656 369 2,286 14 1989
Alberta 960 472 488 49 2007
Saskatchewan 253 98 155 39 1989
Manitoba 363 126 237
35
1993
Ontario 16,675 4,500 12,175 27 2002
Quebec 5,800 4,345 1,450 75 2003
New Brunswick <500 132 368 26 1992
Prince Edward Island <50 25 25 50 --
Nova Scotia <500 132 368 26 1980
Newfoundland and
Labrador 228 60 168
26
1990
Yukon - -- -- -- --
Northwest Territories 110 -- 1101 -- 1986
Nunavut - - -
---
--
CANADA
28,100 10,300 17,800 35% 1996

63. FIGURE 2: MAPPING COVERAGE ACROSS CANADA
Province/Territory
Existing
(km)
Additional
(km)
Bar Chart Showing
Current and Proposed Coverage (%)
0 20 40 60 80 100
British Columbia 2,656 2650
Alberta 960 770
Saskatchewan 253 125
Manitoba 363 185
Ontario 16,750 500
Quebec 5800 10000
New Brunswick <500 250
Prince Edward Island <50 25
Nova Scotia <500 250
Nfld. & Labrador 228 115
Yukon - 2601
Northwest Territories 1102 30
Nunavut - 1303
TOTAL 28,100 15,300
Existing
Proposed

64. National Floodplain Management
Framework
THE FRAMEWORK
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65. FRAMEWORK SCOPE
Framework Scope:
Guidelines Identifies purpose and general content
Performance Standards Identifies key standards that help define risk
Technical Standards Recommends proposed standards that contribute to accuracy
Initiatives Identifies purpose and general content

66. GUIDELINE DOCUMENTS
► Base Mapping and Field Survey
► Hydrology
► Hydraulic Analysis
► Coastal and Shoreline Flooding
► Policy Framework
► Flood Risk Assessment and Mapping
► Geo-referenced Database and National Portal

67. SAMPLE STANDARDS
► Base Mapping
► Vertical accuracy of 0.15 m
► Hydrology
► Estimate flow rated for 1:2 to 1:1,000 years
► Policy Framework
► Minimum Regulatory event should be 1:350 year event
► Minimum Floodway return period should be 1:50 year event

68. National Floodplain Management
Framework
NEXT STEPS
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69. NEXT STEPS
► Money
► Complete a National Risk Assessment to help establish
mapping priorities
► Develop Guidelines and refine the Technical Standards
► Develop Framework for the Flood Risk Database
► Determine the delivery model for preparing mapping
and the data base
► Prepare Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements

70. NEXT STEPS
► Money
► Complete a National Risk Assessment to help
establish mapping priorities
► Develop Guidelines and refine the Technical Standards
► Develop Framework for the Flood Risk Database
► Determine the delivery model for preparing mapping
and the data base
► Prepare Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements

71. NEXT STEPS
► Money
► Complete a National Risk Assessment to help establish
mapping priorities
► Develop Guidelines and refine the Technical
Standards
► Develop Framework for the Flood Risk Database
► Determine the delivery model for preparing mapping
and the data base
► Prepare Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements

72. NEXT STEPS
► Money
► Complete a National Risk Assessment to help establish
mapping priorities
► Develop Guidelines and refine the Technical Standards
► Develop Framework for the Flood Risk Database
► Determine the delivery model for preparing mapping
and the data base
► Prepare Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements

73. NEXT STEPS
► Money
► Complete a National Risk Assessment to help establish
mapping priorities
► Develop Guidelines and refine the Technical Standards
► Develop Framework for the Flood Risk Database
► Determine the delivery model for preparing
mapping and the data base
► Prepare Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements

74. NEXT STEPS
► Money
► Complete a National Risk Assessment to help establish
mapping priorities
► Develop Guidelines and refine the Technical Standards
► Develop Framework for the Flood Risk Database
► Determine the delivery model for preparing mapping
and the data base
► Prepare Federal-Provincial/Territorial Agreements

75. x
► x
URBAN OVERLAND
FLOODING
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76. URBAN OVERLAND FLOODING
► Review Types
► Example of hybrid flooding
► Advances in assessing urban overland flooding

77. URBAN OVERLAND FLOODING
► Two types:
► Pure urban
► Riverine/urban hybrid
► Typically caused by
intense summer storms
and poorly defined
overland flow routes
(pre 1975 in Ontario)

78. URBAN OVERLAND FLOODING
► Minor/Major design
concept significantly
reduces risk
► Flood prone areas
rarely defined

79. HYBRID RIVERINE/URBAN OVERLAND FLOODING
Reasons flood prone
areas rarely defined
► Technology to assess
(1D versus 2D models)
► Relative priority
► Governance
► Frequency

80. HYBRID RIVERINE/URBAN OVERLAND FLOODING
Reasons flood prone
areas rarely defined
► Technology to assess
(1D versus 2D models)
► Relative priority
► Governance
► Frequency

81. HYBRID RIVERINE/URBAN OVERLAND FLOODING
Reasons flood prone
areas rarely defined
► Technology to assess
(1D versus 2D models)
► Relative priority
► Governance
► Frequency

82. ASSESSING URBAN OVERLAND FLOODING
► Topographic Map Review
► Complex Modelling
► Screening Method

83. OVERLAND FLOODING – Topographic Map Review
► Primary areas of concern can be identified
► Difficult to define risk or extent of flooding

84. OVERLAND FLOODING – Complex modelling
► Simultaneous modelling of runoff, sewer flow and overland flow
► Data and Labour Intensive
► Provides understanding of risk and can be used for assessing
mitigation measures

85. OVERLAND FLOODING – Screening Methods
► Use to screen areas that may be flood prone
► Effectiveness a function of base mapping accuracy
► Provides understanding of risk and can be used for assessing mitigation
measures
► Option of applying Complex Modelling for key areas of concern

86. Example: Flood Depths based on Complex Modelling

87. Example: Flood Depths based on Screening Method

88. Example: Flood Depths based on Screening Method

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Questions?
Tim Mereu
mereut@mmm.ca