Our Focus
To ensure repairs are done to properties, roads and water resources in the Sorrento area of British Columbia by advocating for quality watershed management.
KWL Engineering Submits Assessment Proposal for Newsome Creek Watershed
KWL Engineering has submitted a proposal to the CSRD to do an assessment of Newsome Creek Watershed above Highway 1. The assessment would include four main areas:
- Desktop Assessment to get historical background and pull together various reports, maps, documents and the like…
- Site Assessment of channel stability, culvert geometry, deposit levels at Sorrento water intake, potential hazards, and more…
- Hydraulic Analysis at road crossings…
- Proposed Channel Works based on findings of the site assessment.
Read: KWL Assessment Proposal for Newsome Creek Watershed
Funding Application for the Watershed
The proposal is part of an application the province is working on to secure funding from the National Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, which is a federal program managed through Infrastructure Canada.
An increasing number of Canadian communities from coast to coast to coast have experienced significant weather-related events and disasters triggered by natural hazards such as floods, wildland fires and droughts. These events are growing in frequency as a result of climate change and pose serious threats to communities and infrastructure. Infrastructure failures from natural hazards can result in threats to health and safety, interruptions in essential services, significant disruptions in economic activity, and high costs for recovery and replacement.
Infrastructure Canada
In June 2019 CSRD met with Mike Farnworth (Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor General), who stated the province will apply for the funding, which could include federal-provincial cost sharing agreement. The application will include costs to…
- repair damages above Highway 1
- build a bridge at the Highway 1 crossing
- and do mitigative work below Highway 1
NCWAG Meeting – Tuesday, September 17, 7:30
NCWAG will resume meeting this fall at Sorrento Centre. Area C Director Paul Demenok will bring community members up to date on the application process. Come to Spes Bona, the red brick building, for a 7:30 start.
Next Meeting - To be announced - hopefully in October
Past Newsletters
Since the forest fires of 2009 the Newsome Creek Watershed has been under stresses that are resulting in damage to valuable community assets. The provincial Government has jurisdiction over the waterways, but they’re slow to take responsibility for the events that are unfolding in Sorrento and Notch Hill.
Background Articles
Newsome Creek In A Nutshell
Newsome Creek is a complex situation with a lot of moving parts. You can find detailed information in our Background Articles, but … Read more
About The Watershed
Watershed Overview Newsome Creek Watershed covers the area south of Sorrento coming down from Black Mountain where the 2009 wildfire occurred. The … Read more
Government Response To Newsome Creek Watershed
Government response to the problems in Newsome Creek have been both encouraging and difficult. At least three governmental bodies have a say … Read more
Water Contamination
Sorrento’s water has frequently been turbid in the Spring run off, notably in the 2017 and 2018 freshets which deposited large amounts … Read more
Background Articles
Property Damage
Below Highway 1 an Evacuation Alert was placed on thirteen properties in May 2018. Rapid erosion has undercut the creek banks and … Read more
Washed Out Roads
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has said they plan to replace all the culverts along Newsome Creek, perhaps as early as … Read more
Water Contamination
Sorrento’s water has frequently been turbid in the Spring run off, notably in the 2017 and 2018 freshets which deposited large amounts … Read more
Government Response To Newsome Creek Watershed
Government response to the problems in Newsome Creek have been both encouraging and difficult. At least three governmental bodies have a say … Read more
Updates
KWL Engineering Submits Assessment Proposal for Newsome Creek Watershed
September 6, 2019KWL Engineering has submitted a proposal to the CSRD to do an assessment of Newsome Creek Watershed above Highway 1. The assessment would include four main areas: Desktop Assessment to … Read more
CSRD Meets With Deputy Minister Farnworth Regarding Newsome Creek
July 10, 2019On June 13, 2019, representatives from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District met with Solicitor General Farnworth to discuss solutions for damages to Newsome Creek. Area C Director Paul Demenok stated … Read more
Engineer’s Assessment Of Newsome Creek Due April 11
March 2, 2019Kerr, Wood, Leidal Consulting Engineers have been retained to do an engineers report on the creek below Highway 1. An estimated completion date of the report is mid-April, according the … Read more
What We Learned At The Community Meeting
February 1, 2019On January 22 a group of government and community representatives met at Sorrento Memorial Hall to share information about issues in Newsome Creek. Ten speakers and 81 community members explored … Read more
Funds Approved for Work Plan in Newsome Creek
January 11, 20192019 has started on a positive note. At our meeting on January 8 we received word that we’ve secured funding for engineers to do an assessment of Newsome Creek below … Read more
In The News
Global News Report
October 22, 2018
October 22, 2018
Watch this report about property damage to residents on Caen Road
(apologies for the short ad)
About The Watershed
Google EarthTM imagery showing the estimated Newsome Creek watershed (red line) looking southeast.
Newsome Creek Watershed covers the area south of Sorrento coming down from Black Mountain where the 2009 wildfire occurred. The creek has a number of tributaries that merge in the Notch Hill area. Eventually it forms a single creek running along Notch Hill Road crossing under Dilworth Road, the Trans-Canada Highway and Dieppe Road. Newsome Creek Erosion Report describes it this way … Continue reading about wildfire and logging activity in the watershed…