Merritt getting $60M from BC government to replace flood-damaged dikes

Merritt’s mayor calls a $60-million investment from the Province to help Merritt replace a pair of dikes damaged during the 2021 atmospheric river a “game-changer.”

"The construction of dikes 129 and 130 means our community can finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing we are taking real steps to protect our homes, businesses and vital infrastructure,” explained Michael Goetz.

“This funding brings us closer to a safer, more resilient future - one where we can face the future with greater confidence and security."

The BC government announced today that it would provide the funding to the City of Merritt to relocate and rebuild the two critical dikes.

Both sit on the banks of the Coldwater River and were damaged when major flooding hit Merritt during catastrophic storms in November 2021.

Intense rainfall over a multi-day period caused the dikes to fail as the Coldwater River spilled its banks and changed the course of the river permanently.

It’s because of the changes to the river that the dikes cannot be rebuilt at their previous locations and must be constructed at alternative sites.

"Moving and rebuilding these dikes will allow the river to flow more naturally, bringing ecosystem benefits while better protecting Merritt from future flooding,” explained Kelly Greene, BC’s minister of emergency management and climate readiness.

With the freshly-secured funding, the City of Merritt will be able to acquire land to rebuild the dikes, constructed to modern standards, in new locations.

For more information on these dike replacement projects and other flood mitigation work, click this link.