Flood-line Mapping

History

The town of Angus was mapped by Cockburn and Cumming in 1989 to show flood-lines. This mapping was commissioned by Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in response to government Policy on Flooding (the Canadian and Provincial governments had entered into a Federal-Provincial Agreement on Flood Damage Reduction in 1985).  According to the Federal-Provincial Agreement on Flood Damage Reduction (1985), all flood prone areas were to be mapped with flood risk zones being delineated.  The NVCA oversaw the project and mapping. 

The project began in 1986 and was completed in 1989 with "Cockburn Cumming" mapping.  This flood-line mapping depicted areas where development was "controlled", indicating both a regional and 1:100 year flood line.  In 2001 Council determined that it would like to update the Cockburn Cumming flood-line mapping for the following reasons:  to use better technology to create more accurate mapping, and to review  areas that could be considered for additional development.  As such, Council joined with the NVCA to hire Greenland Consulting International to prepare the new mapping and as well, to make recommendations on floodplain policy and remediation.

After 15 reports to Council and/or the public on the new mapping, the Ontario Ministry of Environment approved the new flood-line mapping of "Greenland" on Oct. 17, 2006.

In comparison, the new Greenland mapping extends over 246.3 hectares whereas the former mapping covered 251.5 hectares, therefore, the new mapping depicts a 2.1% reduction in lands affected by floodplain policy.  However, there are some properties which are now affected by Floodway policy - the most restrictive component of floodplain policy.  (Note that the policy is detailed in the Official Plan.)  In fact, there are 6 properties in Angus in which this may be of serious concern to the landowner. 

The Township intends to consider the recommendations of Greenland in their Study called the Angus Flood Remediation Study, during its current Official Plan update since Greenland makes recommendation in terms of policy and flood protection in its Study.