CULVERT Story and PICS

Agassiz Ski Area Update August 2011

Have Hopes to Redevelop Agassiz Ski Area recently

Gone Down the Drain?

RMNP Mckinnon Creek Culvert Rehabilitation Photos (Click)

For those unaware, the entire base area has a large 140m long culvert (7 x13 feet wide) which diverts McKinnon Creek across the slopes. Late this spring the culvert was overwhelmed with what appears to have been a surge flow that had no choice but to flow over the culvert and the slopes. In that the integrity of the culvert had already been breached and as such resulted in sizable sinkholes, the heavy flow washed out the ground above and surrounding the culvert. In a word disaster.

Well note here we had been observing the culvert for the last 4 years. It had not breached prior to Parks Canada taking control and responsibility for the ski area property. We had written and noted our concerns well over a dozen times; even offering to mediate the problem ourselves. The writing was on the wall and yet nothing was being done to prevent the very costly and avoidable situation we have today.

 Proportionately, it cost 3 times per foot more than the essentially required Lake Martin Flood Water Diversion Trench!

Nevertheless, it may be difficult for most to picture what a sizable task it is to remove the culvert and get the creek functioning again as directed by Oceans and Fisheries. As it is a very serious matter to the integrity of the creek the removal has been on-going for several weeks now.

It is expected the removal to cost approximately $400k. Options for crossing this revitalized creek, if the ski area decision becomes positive this fall, have been looked into. You might imagine bridging, or simply putting in a new culvert may be cost prohibitive (if even environmentally allowed). We estimate such engineering, enviro impact assessments, and infrastructure in the 1 million dollar range.

RMNP Mckinnon Creek Culvert Rehabilitation Photos 

Now take in the amount of taxpayer money that has been spent in staff, some mediation of underground tanks, meetings and gathering to perform a decision process. The amount we estimate is quite simply overwhelming whereas many stakeholders feel such being spent to keep the ski area closed is irresponsible to the support and public will that is near to demanding the ski area reopen and accountability be taken.



Exerts of recent correspondence to Parks Canada relating to the culvert…

My thoughts relating to that creek have been formed by taking in many varied suggestions.
                                                                       
If it's decided that no ski resort exist, there be no purpose in replacing the culvert. In an issue of time, that certainly now creates a catch-22.                                                   
                                                                       
In numerous conversation this morning with some folks, many are trying to determine why some road culverts are breaching and then collapsing due to sink holes; already present yet undetected. In most cases the answer is simple - the road culverts were already breached as most do not need to adhere to Federally mandated confined entry techniques...both at it's entrance (invert) and exit (evert). Most are simply graveled or bouldered.                     
                                                                       
The culvert at Agassiz had the proper entry containment - which would be hard to believe if the past operators were paying the bill, but recall it appears to my research Parks Canada (National Parks at the time) so it had to be done by the book. That confirms why the initial breach (3 years ago) was not at the entrance and it remained in such good condition for 50 years. I hadn't observed the entrance damage last weekend but it may still show to that? Present down slope erosion also plays to the integrity of the two T-Bar lift base stations - again I didn't bother venturing over there to note. I imagine oil, grease and diesel may be still be present in the engine or catch basin?                                           
                                                                       
The exit confinement had never been in place in the least the last 4 years.
                                                                       
Speculation a dam burst up-stream might be looked into; as I recall noting during the Advisory Board walk-about at the ski area that it appeared the lowest flow I had seen in 4 years.                   
                                                                       
For your information, the blueprints show the 180m multi-plate "arch" culvert being 7'-11'' high x 12'-8" (galvanized elliptical CMP). Material wise I expect only ARMTEC has parts in stock.         
                                                                       
As to remediation of the creek and/or bridging such a length of slope (creates a "sink heat" effect) has so many considerations I could write a book! Both would be very expensive and as you know would require engineering, assessments, and approvals from likely others than just Parks Canada as it effects an active creek. I have researched creek remediation as I think that's going to be the end result, and it's certainly not as simple as some folks might offer.
                                                                       
I'll approach my "culvert expert" if you wish yet I imagine he's quite busy throughout the province right now. I'm no expert on these things but I think I have a pretty good handle on it.                 
                                                                       
As to partners that may assist in this expense; you understand without direction or tacit of the leasehold's future intent there could be no cheques on the table. Provincial assistance - it's a Federal Park. I can't see other than federal Oceans and Fisheries involvement.                                   
                                                                       
I'm going for a better look tomorrow as I didn't want my ski friends to see much more last Saturday.
                                                                       
Again, any information or suggestions I can offer are yours to be had. Sorry I write to such length!
                                                                       
Kelly                                                                 
                                                                       __________________________

The actions of Parks Canada; advised in over 4 years by us to remedy and rectify has gone from a simple routine fix to likely a million dollars and places much to creditably and any opportunity of cooperation in the communities. Community opinion and coffee shop chat will offer you such that any indication Parks Canada were attempting to listen and cooperate was a feel good front to cover it's mistakes and feed a new agenda. I knew that long ago yet they have finally realized their own opinion. I find it very difficult, in good conscience, to argue and dispute that on any behalf of what I believe the intentions of PC. This entire process and it's expense has simply backfired; as I expected and fore-warned.

If Parks cannot bring forth their accountability of responsibility with future contribution to the McKinnon Creek situation, I would suggest immediate cancellation of any feasibility studies and expense. In that I misinterpreted your request to funds available; we long have the capital available yet the deterorization the management of Parks Canada continues to escalate on that property makes any project cost prohibitive.

Regards,

Kelly Rose
Agassiz Mountain Development Group

_____________________________________

Yes, you may certainly share these images, and as you know, I have very many others from
2007 to present showing escalating situations to the culvert. Many laugh at such content yet
I had long expected this to happen if without mediation - of which we offered to remedy so
the culvert would not get to this stage. In at least 18 "concern" notes to PC this had
never been addressed. Those years of pictures and written observation truly "show a story".
                                                                       
In the next days that area will erode much further and continue to deposit downstream. This
furthers the issue the (surrounding RMs and stakeholders) have tried to address that affects
their land in even average years. I had opportune to show (member of PC) the shale dip (2010)
last Wednesday evening but sadly we didn't have time to see Wilson Weir and others; of which
(the local Reeve) and I visited last weekend. The farmers are now screaming about this and consider
their neighbor; Parks Canada, as taking "food out of their mouths". The expression has gone
from a "bad neighbor" to "abusive". That's difficult to swallow when this escarpment
process should be re-gaining the trust of the communities. This is becoming a property issue
and goes well beyond a ski area.                                     
                                                                       
This is a rare boulder creek comparable to any in the mountains. And yes, I have prospective
pics of creeks in Banff from this spring that mirror McKinnon.

AGASSIZ CREEKSIDE

BANFF-SUNSHINE VILLAGE CREEKSIDE

An advocate and good friend from my skiing days is/and has been addressing me on this for
the last year. He's a top engineer with Highways and deals in only culverts & bridging (I
believe I offered his expertise at some point also). With simple maintenance this would
never have happened - that culvert has overflowed many times in it's 50 years but had never
had the soil breached as was only recently the case.                 
                                                                       
There is much to say about what I have observed and researched of recent...I really want
things to process forward for the sincere sake of the communities, yet there is so much
contradiction in what I actually see and hear. I'm connected by friendship and common
passion to some of the best resources in North America - please allow us that expertise to
offer.                                                               
                                                                       
You might understand I took the province's best ski racers in there Saturday (first ever
visit) to proudly show them the hill last Saturday. You see what we came upon. I'd only
cried twice in my 4 years at this; when I ventured there in 2007 (after (PC) said
don't bother as nothing left there) and yet it was all there in good condition after 7
years, and Saturday when I saw this devastation.                     
                                                                       
I took those same "dare-devilish" ski racers up to the EE bike trails on Sunday for a true
sampling experience. It wasn't a good experience when 14 year olds (recall - ski racers)
are frightened & some crying in a area that is suppose to be family-friendly; being a future
attraction to the EE. I might note here, as I don't resume, name drop, or present myself as
other-than a ski advocate...as a youngster I held world records in cycling, raced
nationally, and have been involved in mountain bike trail creation since the inception of
the sport. I deal with the best in the industry. When PC barks at my concerns at Reeve's
Trail it does some experience and insight behind it; including risk management & marketing
experience (sorry - I resumed again!)… revitalization requiring the need for family-friendly
experiences and safety utmost is the only way to attract.             
                                                                                                                                              
This cannot be sugar coated with the type of responses I'm getting about the natural creek
is back and fine. You know there is much more expense and production than simply letting the
creek flow.                                                           
                                                                       
We're all so willing to help with our resources.                       
                                                                       
Kelly Rose

Agassiz Mountain Development Group