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Coastal Flooding Projects

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Rising Tides are Predictable. Surrey is Taking Action.

Around the world, extreme weather is becoming more frequent, more severe and more damaging. While a coastal flooding threat is not imminent, it is predicted that sea levels will rise by 1 metre by 2100, and 2 metres by 2200.

Through development of the Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy, the City has developed a range of strategic actions aimed at increasing community resiliency, safety and health when it comes to coastal flooding. Our actions include dedicating and securing funding for innovative, nature-based solutions and large-scale structural projects to strengthen and protect our lowlands and floodplains.

Coastal Flooding Projects

With a Government of Canada investment of over $76 million through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, Surrey is moving forward on 13 projects valued at $187 million. These projects make smart investments in the protection of residential neighbourhoods, businesses, significant habitat areas and critical infrastructure by:

  • establishing multiple lines of defense against coastal flooding,
  • lowering nationally significant coastal and riverine flood and seismic vulnerabilities; and
  • improving emergency response connectivity and disaster recovery time.

By integrating climate-adaptive design and a life-cycle approach, these projects are crucial to achieving a future 200-year level of protection. They include:

1. King George Boulevard Bridge and Nicomekl River Sea Dam Replacement

The Plan: Replace the aging wooden trestle Bailey bridge and adjacent 100-year old sea dam with a modern, six-lane superstructure. The new structure will include reserved transit lanes and multi-use pedestrian and cyclist lanes in each direction. A multi-functional design will improve flood and irrigation controls and increase the safety and capacity of a nationally significant transportation corridor.

2. 152 Street Road Upgrades

The Plan: Raise and widen 152 Street crossing the floodplain to reduce the road’s vulnerability to flooding. This will also improve emergency response, reduce congestion, and add multi-modal capacity.

3. Serpentine River Sea Dam

The Plan: Remove and replace the sea dam with a modern structure that incorporates climate and seismic resilience with a higher crest elevation, adjustable flood gates to adapt to rising water levels, and a robust foundation and dyke tie-in to resist extreme earthquakes.

4. SRY Rail Link Serpentine Bridge Replacement (Construction Under Way)

The Plan: Upgrade the aging 40-metre long timber railway bridge located over a low point in the Serpentine-Nicomekl flood control system. The bridge is at risk of overtopping and flotation in a flood event.

5. Nicomekl Riverfront Park

The Plan: Create a 3-km riparian park that incorporates recreation, traditional culture and natural values with flood attenuation features. These features will include wetlands and habitat islands. The new Nicomekl Riverfront Park will employ innovative climate adaptation and mitigation measures. It will also provide opportunities for climate awareness and environmental stewardship.

6. Campbell River Pedestrian Bridge Replacement

The Plan: Partner with the Semiahmoo First Nation to remove and replace the failing pedestrian bridge over the Campbell River. This bridge connects the Semiahmoo First Nation with the City of Surrey and City of White Rock. The new structure will be built to current flood protection standards and allow for 1 meter of sea level rise. It will also provide an alternate emergency access route.

7. Colebrook Dyke Upgrades

The Plan: Upgrade 7.5 kilometres of the earth dyke along Mud Bay and at the mouth of the Serpentine River, including flood boxes, providing protection to the Highway 99 regional link to the Peace Arch border, BC Hydro’s primary transmission line and regional sewer and watermains.

8. Colebrook Drainage Pump Station Replacement

The Plan: Remove and replace existing infrastructure with a modern pump station. This project will take place after Colebrook Dyke upgrades.

9. Crescent Beach Storm Sewer Upgrades

The Plan: Continued expansion of perforated storm sewer system together with ground and road raising. This will provide efficient conveyance to manage stormwater runoff and rising groundwater levels.

10. Lower Nicomekl and Serpentine Dyking

The Plan: Upgrade the dyking system east of 152 Street, focusing on the 3-kilometre reach of the Nicomekl River between Elgin Road and the 40 Avenue Pump Station. This will increase the area's resiliency to sea level rise and protect Surrey lowlands from coastal flooding.

11. Burrows Drainage Pump Station Upgrade (Construction 2020)

The Plan: Increase capacity of the existing pump station. We also plan to upgrade infrastructure and drainage flood boxes to accommodate the elevation differential between agricultural fields and base flow water levels. The pump station drains the Burrows Drainage Catchment into the Nicomekl River in the winter and provides irrigation benefits in the summer.

12. Stewart Farm Sanitary Pump Station Upgrade (Construction 2020)

The Plan: Raise the existing liquid waste lift station located at the lower Mud Bay floodplain, which is tidally influenced. This move will protect it from future flooding.

13. Mud Bay Foreshore Enhancements

The Plan: Partner with the City of Delta to design nature-based solutions based on the living dyke concept at two locations in Boundary Bay. This will mitigate river flooding and the loss of biodiversity. It will also help salt marsh habitats keep pace with rising sea levels.

Related Content

Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy


CFAS Background and Resources

Find news, presentations, and materials about Surrey's Coastal Flooding Adaptation Strategy.