MD of Bighorn No.8

Exshaw Creek Debris-Flood Mitigation Project

Devcon reinforced the creek banks with heavy riprap armour from the upstream reaches to the Bow River confluence, providing reinforcement for protection against erosion and high-flow events. Crews built a large sediment trap to control sediment and reduce downstream buildup. In high-risk areas—especially beneath channel crossings—they installed articulating concrete mattresses for flexible, durable reinforcement. We upgraded the site infrastructure, redesigning and installing a new pedestrian bridge to ensure safe public access. In addition, crews constructed a debris-retention structure to prevent large materials from blocking the channel or damaging downstream structures during peak flows.

5.75

M
Contract Value

15

+
Pieces of Heavy Equipment Used

14

Years to Complete
Time to Complete

190,000

m3
Excavation

Devcon process

1

Site preparation and creek diversion

Executed site preparation, including large sequenced creek diversions and environmental measures with redundant pump diversion.
2

Creek excavation and sediment management

Excavated creek and sediment basins, and removed, stockpiled, and/or processed the river gravels.
3

Pedestrian bridge design and installation

Designed, supplied, and installed a 40-metre clear-span pedestrian bridge linking Exshaw School’s east and west sides to the residential community.
4

Debris retention structure installation

Installed a massive steel debris-retention structure at the upstream limits of the project to stop trees and boulders during flood events. Crews anchored the structure into the mountain and the creek bed with concrete.
5

Bridge and infrastructure protection

Protected the Highway 1A and Canadian Pacific Rail line bridges with 5,000 square metres of articulating concrete mattress, earth anchors, and heavy rock riprap.