Sea Level Rise Management Plan (SLRMP)

Sea level rise, caused by climate change, is increasing total ocean water levels over time.   As a coastal city, Nanaimo is at risk from rising sea levels and coastal flooding.  In 2018, the City completed a Sea Level Rise Study, which provided a high level overview of sea level rise risk areas.  The SLRMP will focus on the vulnerable areas identified in the 2018 study, improve the City's understanding of risks, and consider solutions.   

The Sea Level Rise Management Plan includes the following tasks:

Phase One (September, 2025 to July, 2026)

1. Probabilistic Calculation - This accounts for the joint probability of multiple factors (e.g. storm surge, wind speed, king tide) occurring at the same time and impacting coastal flooding. This will help us understand the likelihood of an extreme event occurring.

2. Inundation Modeling - 2D wave modeling to simulate wave effects along the shoreline. This will help us understand how wave conditions will impact coastal flooding.

3. Refined Flood Construction Level Mapping -  A refined coastal flood impact map will be developed to update the previous maps completed in 2018. 

4. Economic Risk Assessment - A report estimating the financial implication of rising sea levels to coastal infrastructure and properties. This will help us understand the economic risk to coastal areas and evaluate management options.

5. Sea Level Rise Options Analysis - An identification of preferred sea level rise management options with community and stakeholder engagement. This will help us understand the best options to help protect us from coastal flooding.

Phase Two (February, 2026 to September, 2026)

1. Coastal Erosion Monitoring and Management Strategy - Report and maps showing the extent of coastal erosion and strategies to minimize future erosion.  This will help us understand the rate of coastal erosion and how we can protect ourselves from its impacts.

2. Communications Strategy - A strategy that provides recommendations on how the City can communicate the findings of the Sea Level Rise Management Plan to the public.  This will help the community better understand sea level rise impacts and how we can work together to manage them.

The project is funded by grants from the British Columbia Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

For more information regarding this project please contact Dave Stewart, Environmental Planner at sustainability@nanaimo.ca

Get Involved

Check out the Projects Get Involved Page to learn even more about the project and how you can participate.

https://www.getinvolvednanaimo.ca/sea-level-rise