Flood Mitigation Program for Lower Highwood

November 15, 2021

Foothills County continues to advocate for landowners on the Lower Highwood River downstream from the Town of High River who have been negatively impacted by the flood mitigation work that was constructed to protect the Town.

On November 10, 2021 County staff provided Foothills County Council with an update on the status of the project the highlights of which are as follows:

  • In 2019 the Province approved $2,000,000 which was contemplated as a first installment on the estimated $12.85 million that would be needed to complete Phase 1 of the proposed Lower Highwood Flood Mitigation Program. Two of the 11 eligible Phase 1 properties were purchased with those funds. 
  • Remediation of the two properties purchased with the first installment of funding in 2019 should be completed by the end of the year.
  • County staff have been working with the Town of High River, exploring the potential for using funds remaining from grants previously received by the Town to fund the purchase or mitigation of eligible Phase 1 properties in the County. Unfortunately, due to an appeal process regarding the Town's South West Dike, it is unknown what funds will be available and when.
  • County staff sent out letters to update landowners in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 on November 10, 2021:
  • An application for funding from the Province for the 2021-2022 fiscal year is currently being prepared.

Foothills County Council members have continued to remind local MLAs and the Minister of Environment about the impacts created downstream from High River encouraging them to rectify the situation by funding the Lower Highwood Program so that landowners who have been negatively impacted can see a fair and equitable resolution.

For information on this program you may contact any of the following:

Donna Fowler by email or by telephone at 403-603-6209.

Rob Miller by email or by telephone at 403-603-6217.

Julie McLean by email or by telephone at 403-603-6239.