Large stormwater flows have been regularly dumping sediment and other urban runoff into the Elk River, which could increase with more frequent and intense rainfall events from climate change. This would impact the region’s recreation, tourism and fisheries. Sparwood’s Official Community Plan places a strong emphasis on protecting, enhancing and using natural assets so this project explored how to improve water quality in the Elk River through management of the natural assets.
Key findings indicate that enhancing a natural pond that’s at the outlet of a culvert would help it capture 94% of sediment, whereas the equivalent service from an engineered alternative would cost $248,000 in capital and maintenance costs over the same 25 years.
