Western Flood Mapping Conference
Uniting Minds, Mapping Futures: Collaborative Solutions for Western Flood Mapping
February 19-20, 2025 | Calgary, AB
About
Natural Resources Canada, ClimateWest and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions partnered to host the Western Flood Mapping Conference in Calgary, Alberta on February 19-20, 2025. The Western Flood Mapping Conference brought together invested parties from all related sectors to address key challenges concerning flood hazard mapping methodologies specific to Western provinces and territories including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Insights, opinions, and solutions were discussed from a range of perspectives. On the first day, attendees had the opportunity to hear presentations from leading flood mapping professionals and practitioners, offering insights into the latest advancements and challenges in the field.
On the second day of the conference a smaller workshop was held for invited practitioners, focusing on knowledge sharing of best practices in flood mapping. The workshop included facilitated discussions and group activities on various topics with relevance to different types of flood and flood maps. A primary focus was to understand and share practitioner perspectives on best practices for Western flood hazard mapping, along with other topics such as the role of maps in policy and regulation, and best practices for public engagement. The workshop will ultimately provide results that will help support future work looking to align best practices across Western Canadian flood mapping.
Date
February 19-20, 2025
Location
Hotel Arts, 119 12th Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Cost
Free (includes admission to the conference, meals and refreshments).
Key Takeaways
This report highlights key takeaways from the conference. These include key challenges to implementing flood mapping outcomes, the need for equity in flood mapping projects and decision-making, the dynamic nature of models and guidelines, and the need for incorporating climate change considerations into flood mapping. Many challenges were identified but these were often matched with ideas for solutions or improvements. We hope this report can act as a springboard for positive momentum in the field of flood hazard mapping.
Presentations
We are pleased to share the presentations from the conference below:
- Flood Mapping Adventures in the Okanagan – Dr. Anna Warwick Sears, Okanagan Basin Water Board
Session 1A: Advances in Flood Hazard Mapping Methodologies
- Emerging from Darkness: Pluvial Flood Mapping – Brad Larson & Santosh Nishtala, City of Calgary
- Subtractive Flow Methodology for Flood Mapping at Tributary Confluences – Wolf Ploeger, WSP
- Flood Hazard Mapping of the Red River Valley – Andrew Weiss, KGS
Session 2A: Updates on Federal & Provincial Flood Mapping Programs
- NRCan – FHIMP Updates on Research Initiatives & Program Impact – Andrew Plowright, Natural Resources Canada
- Alberta Flood Hazard Identification Program – Peter Onyshko, Government of Alberta
- Introducing the First Nation Adapt Program – Tabitha Clavecillas, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Session 1B: Ice Jams & Debris Flows
- Application of Direct and Indirect Methods for Estimation of Ice Jam Flood Frequency – Dan Healy, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
- Building Resilience: Alberta’s Approach to Hydrogeomorphic Hazards – Lance Katan, Government of Alberta
- The Pas Flood Hazard Mapping Study – Melissa Haresign, KGS
Session 2B: Guidelines, Standards & Indigenous Perspectives
- Floodplain Mapping in Drumheller: A Case Study on Mapping Uses – Deighen Blakely & Darryl Drohomerski, Town of Drumheller
- Flood Plain Mapping Scoping Study: Lower Mainland – Tamsin Lyle, Ebbwater
- Northwest Territories’ Ice Jam Flood Mapping Guidelines – Jad Saade, Government of Northwest Territories & Dan Healy, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
Session 1C: Research & Guidance on Climate Change
- Application of FHIMP Climate Change Guidelines on Water Survey of Canada Gauge Design – Katie Slimmon, Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Lessons from a Decade of Considering Climate Change in Floodplain Mapping Studies – Genevieve Brown, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
- Blackbird: Towards Regional Flood Mapping and Inundation Forecasting Under Climate Change – Dr. Robert Chlumsky & Brian Peng, Heron Hydrologic
Session 2C: From Maps to Regulation
- Flood Maps Are Only The First Step: How we moved from maps to regulations – Sandy Davis, City of Calgary
- Town of Canmore Regulation of Steep Creek Hazards – Devin Bartley and Félix Camiré, Town of Canmore
Land Acknowledgement
The Western Flood Mapping Conference was held on Moh’kinstsis, the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani), the Tsuu’tina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney First Nations). This gathering place is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (District 6).
We encourage all attendees to learn more about the traditional territories where they live and work, reflect on their responsibilities to the land and its people, and take meaningful action toward reconciliation.
Sponsors
The Western Flood Mapping Conference event partners gratefully acknowledge our sponsors for their contribution and support.
Event Partners
The Western Flood Mapping Conference is hosted and organized in partnership between Natural Resources Canada, ClimateWest and The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.
