Flood protection structures in B.C.
Last updated on January 9, 2024Information about British Columbia's flood protection infrastructure is provided in this section. These important resources support the provincial inspector of dike’s regulatory responsibilities, including flood emergency planning, broad-based floodplain management and other related activities.
Flood Protection Works Database
The B.C. Flood Protection Works Database provides a comprehensive list of flood protection structures in the province. Each factsheet indicates:
- The structure type (dike or other)
- The structure length
- Whether the structure is regulated under the Dike Maintenance Act
- Contact information for the structure
Search for a flood protection structure by the river it is adjacent to or by the local responsible authority (updated Jan 2024):
Dike inventory
The Lower Mainland dike inventory series of map sheets show flood protection works regulated under the Dike Maintenance Act.
As-built drawings
Access as-built drawings, studies, and significant reports for dikes operated and maintained in the Lower Mainland.
Orphan dikes
There are over 100 flood protection structures in B.C. that are considered Orphan Dikes.
“Orphan Dike” means a “dike”, as defined in the Dike Maintenance Act (the “Act”), that
a. has no identified “diking authority”, and
b. is not a “private dike”,
as those terms are defined in the Act.
Many of these structures were constructed under emergency conditions without engineering and do not meet the provincial standards for dikes. Although many of these structures are located on private property, some are still regulated, meaning they cannot be modified or disturbed in any manner without prior approval under the Dike Maintenance Act.
The Province of B.C. provided funding to the Fraser Basin Council (FBC) to coordinate and manage a risk assessment for the orphan dikes. FBC provided the results of this work in Spring 2021 to corresponding local governments where the orphan dikes are located. FBC provided up-to-date information on the current condition of the structures to assist local governments in updating local emergency plans to address risks associated with these works. A link to the FBC summary report is provided below.
How to locate a dike in British Columbia using the dike database and the BC Water Resources Atlas:
The BC Water Resources Atlas is an iMapBC GIS application that displays information related to the water resources of British Columbia.
Emergency planning floodplain maps for the Fraser River floodplain in B.C.'s Lower Mainland:
Contact information
For more information about the Dike Safety Program, please contact the deputy inspector of dikes in your area.