Innovation Spring 2026

Modelling different flood scenarios allowed engineers to test how the upgraded structure would respond to various flow events. While the modelling work was central to the engineering design, the City of Kelowna does not directly operate those models. Instead, the project team translated the results into a data table outlining various operational scenarios. “We provided different scenarios – for example, how different gate openings for each gate during different flood events affects water flow downstream, upstream, and toward the Mission Creek through the culvert,” Malekian said. These tables provide city operators with clear, pre-modeled outcomes tied to gate positions and flow events, allowing them to manage the system confidently without running complex hydraulic simulations themselves. That flexibility supports adaptive management in the face of future climate uncertainty, allowing the city to redirect flows between Mill Creek and Mission Creek based on evolving conditions rather than fixed rules.

Dr. Ali Malekian, P.Eng., Senior Project Manager at CIMA+, was one of the leads on the project. P hoto : C ourtesy of CIMA+.

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Innovation Spring 2026

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