Starting this week, residents will see activity along the diking system and at the Newcastle Beach related to grubbing, outfall maintenance and thinning of the bush. 

These activities are necessary maintenance to ensure the operational readiness of the diking system and to make room for the river. The brush and willows growing along the shores can be both friend and foe when it comes to protecting the riverbank from erosion. The willows and brush provide armour. This generally occurs on outside bends in the river. On inside bends, brush and willows slow the water down and depositions of silt and gravel occur. 

As the river levels fluctuate during a season or over years the deposition makes the bank higher diminishing channel capacity. The Newcastle Beach is a prime example of the outside bend erosion and the inside growing higher with deposition.

Crews will also be removing brush and trees from the vicinity of storm outfalls adjacent to some bridges. This work will be completed in part by utilizing the Work Release Program from the Drumheller Institution directed by the Drumheller Resiliency and Flood Mitigation Office.

Flood Mitigation Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions

What is going on at Newcastle Beach?

The Drumheller Resiliency and Flood Mitigation Office has identified an increased amount of gravel bars at Newcastle Beach. Trees and willows are creating these gravel bars by slowing down the water. and if they are left in place without maintenance, there is a potential for additional gravel and silt to be trapped, which in turn will increase the risk of bank erosion. Brush removal will begin the week of March 2nd.

Why is vegetation being removed from Newcastle Beach?

The purpose of this brush removal is to increase channel capacity and minimize the risk of additional erosion to the dike on the north bank by the Drumheller Health Center.

Who is doing the work?

The Drumheller Resiliency and Flood Mitigation Office have partnered with the Drumheller Institution Work Release Program to conduct the brush clearing. Workers will be supervised by the Drumheller Resiliency Flood Mitigation Office.

When will the brush clearing at Newcastle Beach start?

The brush clearing along Newcastle beach will start the week of March 2nd and will remain active with a focus to be ready for the 2020 flood season that runs May 15th – July 15th.

How will this impact residents?

Residents are asked to be cautious and avoid the immediate area of activity until it’s completed.

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