Canmore plans flood mitigation for Cougar Creek

The Town of Canmore is installing some temporary measures to prevent another Cougar Creek flood disaster.

During the June flood, the creek turned into a dangerous stream of debris with boulders and trees ripping a path of destruction.

TheresaLambewatched the flow of water in Cougar Creek from her backyard.

"It was very turbulent," she said."The water was all brown and you could hear all the rocks rolling and rushing."

The creek filled with boulders and treesand tore away most of Lambe's backyard.

"It was a very clear wake up call," said MayorJohn Borrowman.

Residents got a first look at the new mitigation project Wednesday night, whichinclude a debris netand a steel mesh on the banks of Cougar Creek.

"No. 1 is to catch sediment in the channel upstream to make sure that much less gravel and sand [deposit]," said project leadMatthiasJakob.

"No. 2 is to prevent bank erosion by wire mesh nets that are filled with gravel, and they preventthe river [from chewingand eroding]into the banks, which could then fail, whichcould then undermine homes."

The new interim measures will be in place by next April.

Canmore plans to install even stronger mitigation projectsover the long term.