A nod to Amy Woodland Elementary
July 12th, 2024
Kimberley Flood 1948, Mark Creek Rampage
A devastating flood struck the Town of Kimberley in May of 1948. Mark Creek overflowed its bank due to the melting of a heavy snowpack that year. Excess water flooded the community, and many streets and homes were swept away. Dynamite used by the townsfolk cleared a path for the raging force.
Total damages in Kimberley came to roughly $1 million. This event marked a tragic spot in the town people’s collective memories.
As a result, the Mark Creek Flume was constructed to mitigate future flooding in 1950. It had an estimated service life of 50 years. The flume was put to the test when Kimberley flooded again in 1956. Although not as intense as the previous flood, it still caused worry for the townspeople.
In 2012 the flume started to weaken, and questions arose concerning its structural integrity.
Kimberley secured $2 million in provincial and federal funding, and the city contributed an additional $1 million with a total cost of $3.4 million to undergo and revitalize the flume. The flume was estimated to provide 100 years of service, encasing a creek length of 400m concrete.
