‘Long overdue’ dikeland upgrades coming to rural N.S. community
A rural Nova Scotia community on the Bay of Fundy is gearing up for a major upgrade to its dikeland system, which has been identified as at risk due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. Advocate Harbour, N.S. residents recently attended a meeting in April to review plans for the project, which has been approved and funded by both the provincial and federal governments through a disaster mitigation and adaptation fund.
Linda Black, a resident who lives near the shore, expressed relief that the upgrades are finally happening, stating, “It’s scary when the tide is in full and that water is up to the top of the rocks.” Her neighbor Mike Berry recalled a storm in 2019 where the water reached his fence line, leaving cattle stranded on high points. The upcoming upgrades will see the height of the dike walls increased by two meters in some areas, reaching an elevation of 7.6 meters, and extended by an additional 500 meters to provide added protection to the community.
Jessica LeBlanc, a project engineer for the provincial Department of Public Works, highlighted the importance of the reinforcement work in light of climate change projections showing sea levels rising up to one meter by 2100. LeBlanc emphasized that while the dikes are regularly maintained, extensive work has not been done on them since the 1950s. The project aims to protect the town, local infrastructure, and agricultural farmlands from potential flooding.
Despite the necessity of the upgrades, concerns have been raised about the construction process, particularly the transportation of thousands of tons of armour rock through the community. The owners of Wild Caraway restaurant fear that the construction may disrupt the guest experience and obstruct the scenic harbor view. However, they acknowledge the added defense against storm surges that the upgraded dikes will provide.
Marchel Strong, the area councillor and volunteer firefighter, emphasized the urgency of the project, noting that it’s not a matter of if but when another breach may occur. Strong expressed relief that the chosen option involves raising the dikes rather than the road, which could have necessitated relocating the post office. Additionally, the inclusion of walking trails on top of the dikes will enhance the area for both residents and tourists.
The Advocate Country Store and a nearby residential care facility also welcomed the news of the dike reinforcement, recognizing the importance of protecting vulnerable residents in the event of a breach. Bernadette Frank, administrator of Chignecto Manor, stressed the significance of the upgrades for the facility’s disaster preparedness and the community’s overall safety.
While there are still regulatory hurdles to overcome, the province anticipates that construction will commence in the fall and last up to two years due to the scale of the project. The community is eager to see the enhanced protection provided by the upgraded dikeland system and looks forward to a safer and more resilient future along the Bay of Fundy.
