Frequently Asked Questions

What is a flood plain?

A flood plain is an area of land bordering a watercourse (river, stream, or creek) or water body (lake, pond, or slough) that would be flooded as a result of a significant flood event. The Province of Saskatchewan has adopted a 1:500 flood event as the standard representing a significant flood event. 

The flood plain is made up of flood fringe and floodway areas.

What does 1:500 mean and why does Saskatchewan apply that standard?

A 1:500 year flood event means that a flood of that magnitude has a 0.2% chance of occurring. It does not mean that an area will flood only once every 500 years. Multiple 1:500 flood events can happen during a 500 year time span. A 1:500 year flood event represents both the frequency of a flood of this nature but also identifies the characteristics of the water flow (depth and velocity). 

A flood standard is applied to protect the health and safety of people and property. The 1:500 year standard has been applied in Saskatchewan since 1978. A lower standard would allow for more development closer to watercourses and water bodies but would also increase the risk of flooding to people, municipalities and the province.

What is a flood fringe?

A flood fringe is the area of land within a floodplain where the rate of floodwater flow is relatively low, where development would not hinder the flow of floodwater and subject to appropriate flood proofing, the risk of personal and property damage may be adequately minimized.

The province defines flood fringe as any lands where the rate of flow associated with a 1:500 flood event does not exceed 1 metre per second velocity and does not exceed 1 metre in depth.

What is a floodway?

A floodway is the area of land within a floodplain where the rate of floodwater is the fastest, most severe and where the potential damage is the greatest.

The province defines floodway as any lands where the rate of floodwater flow associated with a 1:500 flood event would exceed a rate of 1 metre per second and a depth of 1 metre.

How is subdivision and development regulated in the floodplain within Corman Park?

Corman Park regulates building construction through its Building Bylaw and land use through its Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. Provincial land use policies called the Statements of Provincial Interest outline the 1:500 flood event regulations which Corman Park must follow in our policy documents. In other words, Corman Park is required to implement the 1:500 flood event as our municipal standard, we are not allowed to modify or lower this provincial standard.

However, based on the provincial Statements of Provincial Interest, we know our policies are out of date. The intent of our current work is to update those standards to better describe to R.M. ratepayers how they can subdivide and develop their lands.

What if I have questions or concerns with what can occur on my lands?

At this time we know there is a lot of questions, concerns and unknown information when it comes to how you can develop or subdivide your property. We want to be able to answer those questions for you as the policy work is complete – so please contact us at any time to share those concerns with us to we know the type of information to share back with you.

For many property owners we know this has already been a very difficult and upsetting process waiting for Corman Park to complete this work. During the engagement process, our goal will be to share information as clearly as possible, simplify information and have conversations that recognize the difficulty both property owners and the Corman Park are facing in implementing the Statements of Provincial Interest.