It’s an idea that holds water – or at least monitors it.
On Sept. 16 Minto council discussed a request from the Maitand Valley Conservation Authority for the town’s support of a funding application for a rainfall monitoring station above Harriston.
The MVCA is concerned with its ability to forecast flooding for Harriston and with the authority’s current flood forecast system. The authority is mandated by the province to provide flood forecasting services, but funding to provide such services has been frozen by the Ministry of Natural Resources since 1988.
The authority equated that to a 25% reduction in funding if inflation is taken into account, meaning it “has been unable to make improvements to the authority’s flood forecast system in the last 20 years.”
The letter also said, “The existing flood forecast system was designed over 30 years ago when storm systems were regionally based and more predictable. Now, the authority is faced with more isolated, but very intense rain events.”
The MVCA agreed “Harriston is very susceptible to flooding during intense rain storms.”
It asked Minto to support its proposal to the MNR to provide special one-time funding to install rain gauges upstream of Harriston, which “will dramatically improve the authority’s flood forecasting abilities, allowing the Town of Minto more time to respond to flood emergencies.”
The new gauges would not cost Minto anything for capital costs or maintenance.
Deputy-mayor Judy Dirksen said with the flooding in Harriston in the past year, she was quite surprised to find out the only monitoring station anywhere close to Harriston “is beyond Harriston … after the damage has already happened.”
Minto’s concerns were taken to the MVCA, where council learned there was no money available.
“However, they seem to have decided it is a good idea … and I think we should support it,”Dirksen said.
Councillor Rick Hembley said, “Well, it’s not like we give them any money every year,” referring to the annual levy paid to the MVCA. He added, “Common sense seems to be prevailing.”
“Let’s make sure we support this common sense,” Dirksen said.
Council adopted a motion of support.
