Being at the confluence of three major waterways, the Fraser River, Quesnel River, and Baker Creek, Quesnel is known for its wealth of waterfront property. Although these waterways create a unique and appealing cityscape, they can also pose a hazard to persons or property during flood events – particularly during spring freshet.
To help mitigate the impacts of flooding for new developments, the City has updated our floodplain mapping and have adopted Flood Management Bylaw 1922. This Bylaw regulates development within flood prone areas through means of setting floodplain setbacks and flood construction levels, all of which are dependent on what the development is and where it is located. The Flood Management Bylaw can be viewed in its entirety below, including all map schedules:
Flood Management Bylaw No. 1922 of 2022
NOTE: Properties not identified in the above map schedules as being within floodplain may still be subject to floodplain regulations, as the mapping only identifies areas near the Fraser River, Quesnel River, and Baker Creek. The Flood Management Bylaw may still apply to properties near other waterbodies (Dragon Creek and Dragon Lake for example).
A Flood Hazard and Floodplain Mapping Report from 2020 by Urban Systems guided the creation of Flood Management Bylaw 1922.
GEOTECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS
The Land Title Act authorizes the Approving Officer for subdivision applications require a Geotechnical Report certified by a registered professional with experience in geotechnical engineering that the land may be used safely for the use intended and enter into covenants under Section 219.
The Community Charter authorizes the Building Inspector to require a Geotechnical Report to be supplied with a building permit application on any lands they feel may be susceptible. The City has mapped out most areas which have the potential for movement, however site specific conditions outside these areas may also cause the Building Inspector to request a report.
Most development in the West Quesnel Land Stability Area of the City will require a Geotechnical Report to accompany an application although there are some exceptions. Learn more about Building in the West Quesnel Land Stability Area (WQLSA).
For more information contact the Building Department at 250-992-2111 or buildinginspection@quesnel.ca.