The City of Delta is looking at how to better protect the Beach Grove neighbourhood from flooding.
Currently gathering feedback and having held an open house at the South Delta Recreation Centre on Feb. 8, the city is considering proposed conceptual design solutions for the Beach Grove seawall.
The city secured grant funding from Emergency Management BC's National Disaster Mitigation Program to conduct a condition assessment of the existing seawall and develop a concept design solution for future upgrades.
In 2021, the city awarded a contract for an engineering consultant to undertake the assessment.
The work included a detailed geotechnical, seismic and structural assessment and a conceptual design to accommodate climate change implications, as well as address concerns such as vigorous wave action during storms and overspray, according to a previous report to council.
Potential solutions would be prepared after consultation with the community.
Having varying heights and construction standards, the seawalls in the Boundary Bay Village area are privately owned.
Most of the seawall in Beach Grove is under a right-of-way, constructed under the Fraser River Flood Protection Program, and is Delta's responsibility.
Several sections were constructed as early as 1969 and 1972. Various repairs have also been completed, but the Beach Grove neighbourhood remains prone to multiple flood-related hazards.
The city says with recent updates to the provincial guidelines, the existing seawall does not meet the current requirements to provide safe protection against flooding due to the wall height, wave overtopping protection and seismic requirements.
All feedback received will be considered in a final report of the Beach Grove Seawall conceptual design.
According to the city, upon adoption of a design solution, Delta will seek further funding from senior government levels to assist with the detailed design and construction of the flood protection upgrades.
