BONNYVILLE – A project in the Village of Glendon to deal with drainage issues will be receiving a significant financial contribution from the MD of Bonnyville.
MD council approved providing $400,000 to the village’s drainage project to replace a bridge-sized culvert under Township Rd. 610A. Administration was also directed to get letters of support from MD landowners who will be affected by the drainage design.
The project will construct a diversion channel around the southwest corner of the village to redirect northbound overland drainage around the village’s west edge to alleviate flooding issues within the municipality.
“Ever since the inception of the Village of Glendon, the village has seen a lot of flooding in the last 60 years,” general manager of infrastructure services, Abid Malik, said during council’s March 24 meeting. “Currently, the Village of Glendon has hired a consultant, SE Design, and they have done a detailed analysis of what’s happening around the village and what’s contributing.”
SE Design found three potential drainage contributing areas in their study, which causes the water to flow into the village each year.
“There are three watercourses,” stated Malik. “One goes on the east side, one goes on the west side, and one goes directly to the centre.”
Malik said there would be an additional 27 per cent of discharge on the west side of the village with the way the water is currently going, which could be saved if it’s diverted away.
When administration looked into how it would impact the MD and its residents, they found those who reside along Township Rd. 610A where a culvert is located would feel the impact.
“That culvert is about 50 years old and due for replacement,” Malik detailed. “They’re upsizing the culvert. The benefit was if they upgraded, it’s a bridge sized culvert and we don’t have to do it. The other impact is that five quarters northwest, they will see a 27 per cent increase and there will be an impact on the lands. There will be indentations and then the three quarters, which is directly north, they will see reduced flooding through their properties.”
The MD had slated this culvert to be replaced in 2024.
According to CAO Luc Mercier, the MD was willing to pay for a portion of the project due to the culvert being on its land.
“I think the bigger picture is the redirection of the water, the 27 per cent increase, going north,” he stressed.
Coun. Mike Krywiak, who represents residents in the Glendon area, reached out to the landowners who would be impacted by the project and said most were in favour of it.
“A lot of the water is coming from the quarters, which is south of Township Rd. 610A. A lot of the water is coming from the MD land and is going through the village, so I think we’re responsible for some of the cost.”
He added, “I went for a tour of the drainage (area) and I got a good picture of what was happening.”
