B.C. to make dikes safer

The province of British Columbia has just introduced news seismic standards for high risk dikes. The new rules will reduce the risks to communities exposed to earthquake and flood hazards.

There are approximately 1,100 kilometres of dikes throughout the province, of which approximately 330 kilometres are classified as “high consequence”  flood-protection dikes. The consequences of any of these dikes failing during a major flood would be high.

The new report, Seismic Design Guidelines for Dikes, sets performance-based criteria that specify how much damage can be incurred at various levels of shaking. A range of earthquake intensities must be taken into account for dike design and construction,

The improved criteria replace the 2010 Interim Guidelines and will apply to projects involving major upgrading or the construction of new high risk dikes. Design applications that conform to the previous interim guidelines will be considered if received before Dec. 1, 2011.

Seismic design standards are implemented through the Dike Maintenance Act.

To view the report, click here.