News Report
More storms, more rain: St. John's planning for impacts of climate change
St. John's is making changes to city infrastructure in preparation for a wetter, warmer future with more intense storms.
St. John's, whose aging infrastructure was not built for the increased volume of water expected in the coming years. "St. John's will be almost four times more likely to see a storm with approximately 133 millimetres of rainfall over 24 hours by mid-century," the report reads. Froude said it's tricky to prioritize infrastructure upgrades. He said some projects require more funds than the municipality has available. The city, he said, is looking into placing berms or water-retaining walls along Rennie's River in preparation for potential flooding from more frequent high-intensity storms. But Froude warned St. John's has to think about making changes without disrupting fish habitats or the popular trail along the river. |
The 5 Questions
1. How can build up a water-retaining wall benefit citizens?
2. What are some different perspectives of this issue?
3. How are different political parties react to this kind of issue?
4. How can this issue affect fishing industries?
5. Who is responsible for the start and building of the project?
1. How can build up a water-retaining wall benefit citizens?
2. What are some different perspectives of this issue?
3. How are different political parties react to this kind of issue?
4. How can this issue affect fishing industries?
5. Who is responsible for the start and building of the project?
Stakeholders1. Citizens 2. Environmentalists 3. Nearby Animals 4. City Council |
Stakeholder Analysis
Citizens
> Residents think that nothing has been done to build the flood barrier near Rennie's river, and if the wall will not be built, it will destroy more buildings and cause more land erosion. Many people feel insecure by this problem.
Environmentalists
> They are concerned about wildlife habitat loss on land and river. If the dam was built, it will not only affect the migration of fishes, it will also change the flow of water.
Nearby Animals
> If the dam was built, it will divide the river's downstream and upstream, which make it difficult for fishes to travel back to their home. It will also affect water temperature and oxygen levels.
City Council
> It's hard for them to decide which course of action to take since many people have different opinions on the construction of the project. They would spend approximately $5 million to stop the flooding, while still considering their social community and the environment. The dam can also affect the popular trail near the river, where it is another problem they have to take into account.
> Residents think that nothing has been done to build the flood barrier near Rennie's river, and if the wall will not be built, it will destroy more buildings and cause more land erosion. Many people feel insecure by this problem.
Environmentalists
> They are concerned about wildlife habitat loss on land and river. If the dam was built, it will not only affect the migration of fishes, it will also change the flow of water.
Nearby Animals
> If the dam was built, it will divide the river's downstream and upstream, which make it difficult for fishes to travel back to their home. It will also affect water temperature and oxygen levels.
City Council
> It's hard for them to decide which course of action to take since many people have different opinions on the construction of the project. They would spend approximately $5 million to stop the flooding, while still considering their social community and the environment. The dam can also affect the popular trail near the river, where it is another problem they have to take into account.
Possible Solutions
Bio-EngineeringBio-engineering is the process of planting plants such as Amriso, Babiyo, Dubeo near riverbanks. The purpose is to reduce land erosion caused by flooding. Its primary function is to reinforce the soil, and strengthening its surface layer and slope. This solution is also low budget, and would not affect fish habitats.
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Drainage SystemDrainage System is a system that can remove surface water from a given area. Sewage, rainwater, and other liquid can all be drained through pipes into the soil or to a point of disposal. There are different types of drainage systems that are required for floods, such as French drain, full gutter system and sump pump. More drainage systems can be built to reduce the risk of flooding and drainage problems in the nearby area of Rennie's River.
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RelocationRelocation is to move aquatic organisms such as fish from their area to waters outside the current range. The process of transferring fish can be risky and cost a lot of time and money. However, this method can help people to build up walls without too many concerns about destroy fish habitats.
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Best SolutionBio-engineering - Low budget - Create security for citizens - Prevent flooding - Reduce land erosion - Wouldn’t destroy fish or other aquatic organisms’ habitats - Benefits both social community and environment |
To Execute the SolutionFirst is to create posters to show the public what my solution is, to let them know some basic information on this project. I will also provide more details in the poster of how Bio-engineering will work and why it is a good idea. To make this solution work, I can gather volunteers to join and help in the project. This can give the citizens a chance to involve in the community, and also reduce working cost.
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Reflection
Using Bio-engineering is the only possible solution which can benefit both citizens and the environment. Citizens might think this way is not as effective as building up water-retaining walls to prevent flooding, however, many case studies are showing that bio-engineering is actually better that flood barriers for being more secure. In my opinion, this solution might become more common in reducing the risk of flooding for the city in the future. The budget for completing this project is approximately $5 million. The new solution will cost less money, which the city can spend the rest on other issues they are facing. From the gathering of volunteers, time will also be saved. For people such as environmentalists, who can have less concerns because using bio-engineering will not give any effect on the fish habitats. The city’s popular trail can also open normally for citizens and new tourists.
For the criteria to show the success of my project, I want to see citizens are being secure and not affected by floods anymore. I want to see there are more tourists coming to the city and visiting the popular trail. I want to make environmentalists have no more concerns about aquatic species losing their habitats and people can enjoy Rennie’s River’s view. I want to see the bio-engineering technique appear in other cities to prevent more floods and prove its effectiveness. I hope this solution can be successful and prevent future floods.
For the criteria to show the success of my project, I want to see citizens are being secure and not affected by floods anymore. I want to see there are more tourists coming to the city and visiting the popular trail. I want to make environmentalists have no more concerns about aquatic species losing their habitats and people can enjoy Rennie’s River’s view. I want to see the bio-engineering technique appear in other cities to prevent more floods and prove its effectiveness. I hope this solution can be successful and prevent future floods.
Bibliography
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N/A. “How to Minimize Flooding and Drainage Problems.” The City of Red Deer, 7 Jan. 2020, www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater--stormwater/leaks-flooding-and-drainage/how-to-minimize-flooding-and-drainage-problems/.
Quinn, Mark. “People Living near Rennie's River Say St. John's Too Slow to Fix Flooding Nightmare | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 12 June 2019, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/renniers-river-flood-risk-1.5171496.
Sutter, Holly. “More Storms, More Rain: St. John's Planning for Impacts of Climate Change | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 25 Aug. 2020, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/st-johns-planning-for-climate-change-impact-1.5699437.
CementConcrete. “Solutions to Flooding: Flood Prevention: Flood Meaning: Flood Causes|.” Cement Concrete, 1 Jan. 1969, cementconcrete.org/water-resources/solutions-to-flooding/1279/.
Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. “Introductions and Transfers.” Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Communications Branch, 6 Feb. 2020, www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/management-gestion/intro-eng.htm.
N/A. “3 Types of Drains to Prevent Flood Damage.” Crosstown Engineering, 13 June 2020, crosstownengineering.com/3-types-of-drains-to-prevent-flood-damage/.
N/A. “5 Major Uses and Benefits of a Retaining Wall.” Scott's Landscaping, 8 Jan. 2019, www.scottslandscaping.ca/site/blog/2019/01/08/sample-blog-1-copy-copy.
a
N/A. “How to Minimize Flooding and Drainage Problems.” The City of Red Deer, 7 Jan. 2020, www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater--stormwater/leaks-flooding-and-drainage/how-to-minimize-flooding-and-drainage-problems/.
Quinn, Mark. “People Living near Rennie's River Say St. John's Too Slow to Fix Flooding Nightmare | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 12 June 2019, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/renniers-river-flood-risk-1.5171496.
Sutter, Holly. “More Storms, More Rain: St. John's Planning for Impacts of Climate Change | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 25 Aug. 2020, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/st-johns-planning-for-climate-change-impact-1.5699437.