FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS, B.C. — Regional officials say a network of traps, channels and culverts built to protect a southeastern British Columbia community from another devastating slide has more than proved its value, barely 18 months after completion.
The Regional District of East Kootenay says despite some damage, it's becoming clear that the slide protection measures averted what could have been a catastrophe in the community of Fairmont.
A statement from the regional district says the magnitude of a debris flow down Fairmont and Cold Spring creeks on May 31 is just becoming clear as cleanup efforts continue.
The district says heavy rainfall pushed more than 30,000 cubic metres of logs, rock and other debris into traps along the creeks, preventing the torrent from sweeping through the resort community.
It's estimated to be the second-largest debris flow in Fairmont, half the size of a 2012 slide that forced evacuation of a resort, stranded about 500 campers and caused millions of dollars in damage.
Although it's not the first test of the traps, the regional district says it's the most significant since the $1.9-million debris flow mitigation project was completed in 2018.
Brian Funke, the regional district's manager of engineering services, says several roads and properties have mud and water damage and part of a golf course flooded, but damage could have been much worse.
"The system did an incredible job of keeping the large debris away from homes and properties," Funke says in the statement.
He estimates three-quarters of the logs, rocks and gravel filling one of the traps have been cleared and crews continue to empty other traps and make repairs.
"Our priority is to restore as much capacity within the creeks and the debris traps as possible so that we are ready if another event were to occur.".
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2020
The Canadian Press
