LiDar mapping of elevation contours (photo/City of Vernon)

By Kevin Rothwell

New planning tool

Vernon storm water plan is the envy of the Okanagan

Feb 7, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Vernon’s award winning plan to deal with storm water run-off is being given high praise from politicians across the Okanagan, along with requests to share the information.

The City of Vernon’s Infrastructure Management Technician, Geoff Mulligan, and Water Resource Engineer, Mathew Keast, provided Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) directors with an overview of the city’s new Drainage Infrastructure Prioritization Plan.

The plan, recently awarded a 2020 Sustainable Communities Award by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, was developed using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data, acquired in partnership with the OBWB and its valley-wide flood mapping project.

The application of the data is now showing up at city council, with variance applications showing where overland drainage would happen, which changes where buildings might be situated.

“It sure is making it a lot easier for those on council.We have a simple visual tool that we can trust,” Mayor Victor Cumming said.

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Light Detection and Ranging (photo / City of Vernon)

The mapping done in other areas of the valley was at 12 light points per square metre. Vernon added additional funds to have more flights, increasing the LiDAR to 30 points per square metre, giving a much more detailed outcome.

LiDAR imaging was used to help calculate the path falling water would travel through the city, determine overland flow routes and community vulnerabilities. This information is now being used by the city to plan mitigation efforts to address potential issues, to review development applications and identify possible flood risks, and more.

“What they are demonstrating here is phenomenal. LiDAR is highly valuable for this kind of exercise. The light bulb is going on here,” Director Bob Hrasko, Water Supply Association of BC chair, said.