A recent flood mitigation plan announced by the provincial government excluded communities within the Municipal District of Bighorn, but residents in the area say the province’s contribution to rebuilding the flood ravaged area can not be overstated.
In Exshaw, nearly 80 per cent of damage to infrastructure, including sidewalks and roads, has been repaired in the region.
Work is now underway on the seven creeks which run through the area. The creeks will be trenched and realigned, and trees, brush and debris will be removed from the waterways.
Berms will be installed to protect homes from future flooding.
“We will than work in 2014, and 2015 to go past 2005 levels of defense and achieve something closer to 2013,” explains Dene Cooper, M.D. of Bighorn reeve. “I have to say there will always be a flood that will have the potential of overwhelming whatever we can put into effect.”
In Canmore, many homes along Cougar Creek are being repaired. Flood waters washed away much of the soil which surrounded homes, and many foundations were destroyed and basements left exposed to the elements.
While the creek has been reshaped, several homeowners await a decision on whether their houses can be salvaged.
With files from CTV's Kevin Fleming
