Metadata
The Fraser Valley Climate Adaptive Drainage Management Forum project was initiated to generate and
share the best available precipitation projections for the Fraser Valley; research collaborative climate
adaptive drainage management strategies adopted in comparable settings; and host a Forum between
producers, local government and agency staff, researchers and agricultural association representatives
to deliberate preferred drainage management strategies to address local runoff and drainage
challenges.
Implications of climate change for drainage management
Drainage remains one of the primary limiting criteria for agricultural production in the Fraser Valley, yet
changing climate and additional drainage demands are reducing the effectiveness of existing drainage
infrastructure. The climate projections indicate that changes in Fraser Valley precipitation patterns will
considerably increase the agricultural drainage burden. Compared to past climate (1971 – 2000) in the
region, average values for the following precipitation indicators are projected to increase by ~2050 as
follows:
• Compared to the rest of the year, increases in total precipitation and maximum storm
precipitation amounts will be largest during Spring (March, April, May) and Fall (September,
October, December) when field trafficability is particularly important.
• The precipitation amount for the ARDSA growing season extreme design storm is projected to
increase by about 20%, although in any given year it could increase by 40% or more.
• The precipitation amount for the ARDSA dormant season extreme design storm is projected to
increase by about 10%, although in any given year it could increase by 20% or more.
• Considerably more precipitation (about 20%) is expected to fall during extremely wet days (1-in20 wettest day) in the future. Expressed differently, extremely wet days that used to occur once
every 20 years are projected to occur once every 10 years.
• The wettest periods in the region are projected to become even wetter (by about 35%), and the
wettest days of the year are projected to occur more closely together.
Given these projections, and with parts of the region already not meeting the ARDSA criteria (KWL,
2017), the probability of increased crop losses and localized flooding is likely to rise without
incremental intervention and investment in improved drainage management and infrastructure.
Preferred drainage management strategies
Deliberation amongst participants of the Forum workshop revealed broad support and preference for
pursuing producer-led drainage area management planning; and improving drainage management and
maintenance knowledge and capacity. Potential action items arising from the Forum include:
Action 1. Pilot development of drainage area management planning
Action 1a: Create producer-led agricultural drainage planning group.
Fraser Valley Climate Adaptive Drainage Management Forum
Action 1b: Inventory, characterize and assess a pilot drainage area including identification of drainage
(and irrigation) enhancement opportunities.
Action 1c: Pilot a multi-stakeholder, multi-objective drainage area planning process, with the intention
of embedding individual actions within a broader plan and securing funding for upgrades.
Action 2: Improve drainage management and maintenance knowledge and capacity
Action 2a: Establish an online, map-based decision support tool to support watercourse permit
applications and the selection and application of watercourse management and
maintenance Best Management Practices.
Action 2b: Increase the professional support available to producers through improved access to
qualified professionals (create new training opportunities and prequalification and
promotion options for trained individuals).
Action 2c: Improve knowledge transfer to producers, potentially through a liaison role, via workshops,
field days and streamlined information for/to producers.
Several agency staff felt that updating watercourse classifications within current operations could be
pursued as an early Forum outcome. Depending on upcoming programming and budget decisions, there
may be an opportunity for the Climate Action Initiative to work with local partners in the Fraser Valley
to advance next steps on select preferred strategies.
share the best available precipitation projections for the Fraser Valley; research collaborative climate
adaptive drainage management strategies adopted in comparable settings; and host a Forum between
producers, local government and agency staff, researchers and agricultural association representatives
to deliberate preferred drainage management strategies to address local runoff and drainage
challenges.
Implications of climate change for drainage management
Drainage remains one of the primary limiting criteria for agricultural production in the Fraser Valley, yet
changing climate and additional drainage demands are reducing the effectiveness of existing drainage
infrastructure. The climate projections indicate that changes in Fraser Valley precipitation patterns will
considerably increase the agricultural drainage burden. Compared to past climate (1971 – 2000) in the
region, average values for the following precipitation indicators are projected to increase by ~2050 as
follows:
• Compared to the rest of the year, increases in total precipitation and maximum storm
precipitation amounts will be largest during Spring (March, April, May) and Fall (September,
October, December) when field trafficability is particularly important.
• The precipitation amount for the ARDSA growing season extreme design storm is projected to
increase by about 20%, although in any given year it could increase by 40% or more.
• The precipitation amount for the ARDSA dormant season extreme design storm is projected to
increase by about 10%, although in any given year it could increase by 20% or more.
• Considerably more precipitation (about 20%) is expected to fall during extremely wet days (1-in20 wettest day) in the future. Expressed differently, extremely wet days that used to occur once
every 20 years are projected to occur once every 10 years.
• The wettest periods in the region are projected to become even wetter (by about 35%), and the
wettest days of the year are projected to occur more closely together.
Given these projections, and with parts of the region already not meeting the ARDSA criteria (KWL,
2017), the probability of increased crop losses and localized flooding is likely to rise without
incremental intervention and investment in improved drainage management and infrastructure.
Preferred drainage management strategies
Deliberation amongst participants of the Forum workshop revealed broad support and preference for
pursuing producer-led drainage area management planning; and improving drainage management and
maintenance knowledge and capacity. Potential action items arising from the Forum include:
Action 1. Pilot development of drainage area management planning
Action 1a: Create producer-led agricultural drainage planning group.
Fraser Valley Climate Adaptive Drainage Management Forum
Action 1b: Inventory, characterize and assess a pilot drainage area including identification of drainage
(and irrigation) enhancement opportunities.
Action 1c: Pilot a multi-stakeholder, multi-objective drainage area planning process, with the intention
of embedding individual actions within a broader plan and securing funding for upgrades.
Action 2: Improve drainage management and maintenance knowledge and capacity
Action 2a: Establish an online, map-based decision support tool to support watercourse permit
applications and the selection and application of watercourse management and
maintenance Best Management Practices.
Action 2b: Increase the professional support available to producers through improved access to
qualified professionals (create new training opportunities and prequalification and
promotion options for trained individuals).
Action 2c: Improve knowledge transfer to producers, potentially through a liaison role, via workshops,
field days and streamlined information for/to producers.
Several agency staff felt that updating watercourse classifications within current operations could be
pursued as an early Forum outcome. Depending on upcoming programming and budget decisions, there
may be an opportunity for the Climate Action Initiative to work with local partners in the Fraser Valley
to advance next steps on select preferred strategies.
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Commodity