Approximately 85 per cent of Pitt Meadows is located within the Fraser River and Pitt River floodplains, and flooding can happen any time. Pitt Meadows is susceptible to flooding due to heavy rain, rain on snow, spring freshet (river flooding from heavy rain or snow melt), and mechanical failure of pump stations.
The freshet period—river flooding due to heavy rain or snow melt—extends from April to July. Annual flooding in Pitt Meadows is most common in May and June. Freshet is forecasted using snowpack estimates during winter, which can help downstream municipalities get prepared. Weather events, such as heavy rain can be more difficult to predict.
The City is surrounded by 60 km of dikes, which are critical to protecting the City’s low-lying areas and key infrastructure from river flooding. Flood mitigation infrastructure also includes ditches, pump station and flood boxes.
Each year, the City prepares for flooding by:
Learn more about Planning and Flood Mitigation.
Please note: We do not protect private property from flood risk. Property owners are responsible for protecting their property.
During periods of high flood risk, City staff monitor Environment Canada’s weather forecasts and updates from the provincial River Forecast Centre, which provides information on streamflow conditions, and flood warnings and advisories.
The Fraser River is the most significant flood hazard in the City, as it undergoes annual freshet (flooding due to snowmelt or heavy rains). It has the ability to cause the most damage to the region due its extensive drainage area of roughly 250,000 square kilometres, which extends from the Rocky Mountains to the Lower Mainland of B.C.
See the City’s Flood Risk Maps:
Note: The index identifies geodetic elevations and corresponding Mission gauge levels. Mission gauge levels are monitored for flooding and the City’s Flood Response Plan is based on these levels.
Flooding is a risk in Pitt Meadows, and it’s important to be prepared before, during and after a major flood. Download the PreparedBC Flood Preparedness Guide and check out the following resources:
Find other information including Sandbagging Procedures, Sandbagging COVID-19 Procedures, an Evacuation Checklist, Clean-up after a Flood and more in our Resource Library. Learn more about the City’s Flood Response Plan and Evacuation.
If you experienced damaged to your home or business due to flooding you may be eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA).
The City invests in emergency planning and infrastructure maintenance and upgrades for flood mitigation, response and recovery. Current flood mitigation infrastructure in Pitt Meadows consists of 60 km of dikes, along with ditches, six pump stations, and flood boxes.
Flood Mitigation Plans
In 2019, the City received $412,000 in funding as part of the Government of Canada’s National Disaster Mitigation Program for the development of a Flood Mitigation Plan to identify gaps and establish priorities to protect residents, farms and businesses in the event of a flood or breach in our dike system. The Flood Mitigation Plan (FMP) was completed and presented to Council on December 1, 2020. This long-term plan will help to prioritize the estimated $121 million in upgrades identified and to assist with future grant applications.
In 2018, the City completed a federally-funded Flood Hazardous Risk Assessment, which showed that the City’s dike system does not meet current standards, which poses an increased risk of flooding and a potential flood-related economic loss between $489 million and $725 million.
Flood Hazard Risk Assessment Maps
The Risk Assessment provided maps for three potential flood scenarios: A one in 500 year freshet; a one in 500 year freshet, plus climate change and rising sea levels; and a storm surge event. See maps here.
Next Steps
Pitt Meadows is working with the Fraser Basin Council and Metro Vancouver to develop a regional flood management strategy to address complex inter-jurisdictional flood mitigation issues. The City continues to work closely with Metro Vancouver and the federal and provincial to address dike improvements.
The Fraser Basin Council is progressing Phase 2 of the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy, which is focused on developing a long-term plan for flood mitigation, regional priorities and funding options. The City has actively provided feedback on the draft strategy and continues to advocate for a dedicated funding stream to support the necessary improvements to flood infrastructure. More information can be found at fraserbasin.bc.ca/water_flood
Ongoing Pump Replacements and Upgrades
The City’s six pump stations are critical for flood protection and public safety. With 86 percent of Pitt Meadows in the floodplain, the area is divided into four drainage areas served by six pump stations. The City relies on a continuous dike system, comprising of a network of ditches, flood boxes and pumping stations for flood protection.
In 2021, work was completed on the new Pitt Polder Pump Station. The new pump station meets the current provincial standards and also includes fish-friendly pumps, allowing for the safe passage of fish, while helping keep fields arable, and benefit farming families in the community. Additional associated structural dike improvements and culvert replacements were also made, as well as all new electrical and mechanical control systems. In addition, the new station will provide annual energy efficiency and reduce emissions, as well as reduced operating, maintenance, and repair costs.
This new pump station is a critical component of our city’s diking and drainage system and provides enhanced safety and flood mitigation to over 1,650 hectares of agricultural land. For more information, read the full media release here.
Pump replacements and upgrades are also underway at the Fenton Road and Baynes Road pump stations including a back-up generator at the Baynes Road Pump Station. Back-up generators were recently installed at Kennedy Road, McKechnie Road and Fenton Road pump stations as well. These projects were partially funded by additional provincial grants.
Image of new Pitt Polder Pump Station (2021)
Reports
The City has a flood response plan based on Fraser River levels in Mission, which may flood first. In the event of a major emergency, the City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be activated and would coordinate resources, volunteers, and communication to residents. The City’s emergency coordinator works closely with the Katzie First Nation’s EOC.
The City monitors the Pitt, Fraser and Alouette river levels. View current river levels from the Alouette, Baynes, Fenton and Mission gauges.
In the event that there is a risk of flooding, the City has the a comprehensive Flood Response Plan.