The City of Calgary has completed the Sunnyside Flood Barrier, a significant milestone in building a more flood-resilient city.
Now operational, the barrier provides critical protection for the communities of Sunnyside and Hillhurst, reducing flood risk to homes, businesses, and essential infrastructure. As a key component of Calgary’s Flood Resilience Plan, the project reflects years of planning, collaboration and investment to strengthen resilience, connectivity and public spaces in Sunnyside and Hillhurst.
“This project strengthens our ability to withstand future flood events while creating lasting community spaces that Sunnyside residents and visitors can enjoy for generations to come,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas.
The flood barrier provides the communities of Sunnyside and Hillhurst with protection from a one-in-100-year flood event, meaning a flood with a one per cent chance of occurring in any given year. The project represents a total investment of $73 million over a decade, from initial planning through to completion, delivering a significant step forward in reducing flood risk and strengthening Calgary’s long-term resilience.
Spanning 2.4 kilometres, the barrier combines permanent flood walls, sheet pile walls, demountable flood walls and deployable flood protection systems to reduce flood risk while maintaining community access, strengthening connections to the Bow River and preserving the character of the surrounding area.
Community input played a significant role in shaping the project and the public spaces surrounding the barrier. The project also includes nine new seating areas, two food truck pads, improved pathways and public spaces along the river for people walking, wheeling and cycling, along with approximately 200 new trees, including 68 Memorial poplar clone trees, and additional landscaping enhancements.
Four key public spaces were also enhanced throughout the project, which include the Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial, Peace Bridge North Shore, 7 Street N.W. lookout and Prince’s Island Pedestrian Bridge & Bow River access.
Landscaping and pathway work are expected to be completed by the end of October 2026.
