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Storm causes half-million dollars in damage to Richmond diking system

Richmond city staff say further damage could happen if dikes aren't repaired before the spring freshet.
DikeDamage
Logs caused damage to the armour around Richmond dikes in mid-January.

The repair bill for damage to Richmond’s diking system caused by a king tide, storm surge and windstorm in mid-January is estimated to cost half a million dollars.

City staff is asking council to approve taking $500,000 out of its drainage improvement reserves to fix the damage – caused by logs – in advance of the spring freshet.

The logs dislodged part of the armour on the south dike by Gilbert Road.

The staff report states the dike wasn’t at risk but if not fixed, further damage could be incurred later.

The armouring needs to be fixed along a 300-metre stretch of diking and debris needs to be removed from a 750-metre stretch.

The request for funding is coming up at next week’s public works and transportation committee meeting.

Richmond has 49 kilometres of diking and 39 drainage pump stations.