Calgary unveils flood mitigation barrier built to protect downtown

An important piece of flood protection, meant to protect Calgary from a one-in-200-year event, is now finished.

Work on a lengthy project meant to protect the city from future flooding is now complete.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek was joined by Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal and Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver on Thursday to announce the downtown flood barrier and Eau Claire Promenade is now complete.

The downtown flood barrier, Eau Claire Promenade and new Jaipur Bridge and Centre Centre pedestrian ramps took three years to build.

"Calgary is more resilient to flooding today thanks to the city's commitment and contributions from the provincial and federal governments," Gondek said Thursday.

"Each one of these public realm improvement projects was designed to make our city stronger."

Planners on the project used a number of different methods to incorporate flood resiliency measures into a stretch of pathway along the Bow River.

All of the flood mitigation, which is designed to protect Calgary from a one-in-200-year flood, is hidden from view, the city said.