A portion of southern Alberta’s backcountry trails that suffered erosion and sustained damages to bridges and other amenities when debris-choked rivers and creeks spilled their banks in June 2013, are set to get a $10-million facelift.
Included in the assessment program are some of the popular Bragg Creek trails that were washed out in the floodwaters.
According to the Province, Jumping Pound Ridge and Diamond T-Loop and others will be evaluated in the program.
Most of the Bragg Creek trail system was washed out when both the Elbow and the Bow Rivers spilled their banks that devastated Canmore, the City of Calgary, Bragg Creek and High River.
The timing of the announcement – June 5 – is in accordance with the event’s one-year anniversary.
“Right now, we’re compiling an inventory and using user groups (volunteers based) to do the compilation,” said Jason Penner, communications officer, with Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.
The Backcountry Trail Flood Rehabilitation Program will be completed by 2016, according to Penner.
The program will restore priority trails and trails systems along the eastern slopes for motorized and non-motorized recreational users. Some trails may be re-established in more ecologically appropriate and sustainable areas, so they are better suited to withstand future flood events.
“We will prioritize (the affected trails) but not every trail that had been included in the inventory will receive remediation,” he said.
“We want to identify where the damage is and where the level of use is and the connectivity to tourism opportunities and whether there is the volunteer base to help with the remediation process.”
The Province’s investment in the Backcountry Trail Flood Rehabilitation Program takes over from work already underway to remediate some of Alberta’s trails, including $81 million funding for Alberta Parks announced earlier this year.
The amount that could go to Bragg Creek trails specifically will be known after the initial compilation phase.
Area Councillor Liz Breakey was not available for comment on the project as of press time.
