Flood Management
Located on the north bank of the Fraser River and the Eastern tip of Lulu Island, the City of New Westminster covers twelve square kilometres, of which five are within the flood boundaries indicated on the Ministry of Environment Floodplain Map. A 'floodplain' is defined as "typically dry land adjacent to a watercourse that is susceptible to flooding". Based on the Fraser River Flood Profile developed by the province, the city created a Flood Susceptibility Map which delineates the areas that can be potentially flooded during the spring Freshet (mountain snow-melt).
Flood Resilience Plan
Both Queensborough and sections of the mainland are included within the provincial floodplain. Currently development within the flood susceptible lands is controlled by either the Subdivision and Development Process.
In the 1960’s a perimeter dyke was built on Queensborough protecting approximately 350 hectares. The City has developed a floodplain strategy to assist with future flood protection planning and existing dyke upgrades.