PHYSICAL ADJUSTMENTS AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE URBAN FLOOD HAZARD IN THE GRAND RIVER WATERSHED, ONTARIO

Abstract

This paper describes and evaluates physical adjustments to and institutional arrangements for the flood hazard in Bridgeport (Kitchener), Galt (Cambridge), Paris, Brantford and New Hamburg within the Grand River watershed, Ontario. Data sources included field mapping, airphoto interpretation, examination of reports, feasibility studies, legislation, regulations, official plans, budgets and expenditures, as well as interviews with selected municipal officials, provincial resource managers and administrators, and a sample of residents in the five communities. Four major trends are revealed concerning community adjustments to the flood hazard. First, there has been a changing mix of physical adjustments and institutional arrangements with the former being given highest priority by the managers and greatest preference by the residents of flood-prone areas. Second, the pattern of financing approaches the "disjointed incremental" model, and has frustrated attempts to broaden the range of adjustments. Cost-sharing arrangements have encouraged a community reliance upon physical adjustments. Third, enforcement of institutional adjustments has been inconsistent and time-consuming. Lack of adequate personnel for enforcement is a major problem. And fourth, communications between the Grand River Conservation Authority and municipal officials and individual residents is inadequate. Municipalities have been tardy in providing the information needed to make a flood-warning system effective. A recently created Citizens’ Advisory Committee has been partially successful due to differing perceptions as to what should be its role in the decision-making process.