"This type of dam is a series of water-filled tubes over a metre in height that create a barrier.
It is created on flat ground and anchored into the pavement at regular intervals along the length of the dam.
Photo credit to Chilliwack Progress
Walker describes it as similar to “one big giant sandbag.” He did not know how long the dam will be or how long it might be in place.
He said it’s being built near Cole Road because that area is lower in elevation than portions west of there.
“So the water would generally spill out there, but it was overfilling. So they’re trying to prevent it from spewing out, and keeping it in the channel,” Walker said.
Water in the Sumas River makes its way to the Barrowtown Pump Station, where it is funnelled into the Fraser River."