First the snow, now possible flooding in southeast Saskatchewan.
The Water Security Agency is warning residents about potential flooding in the extreme southeast corner of the province. This comes after two spring snow storms hit the region over the last couple of weeks combined with some warmer temperatures in the week ahead and the possibility of rain in the forecast. That rain would result in the rapid melt of the snowpack which the WSA is warning could produce high flows and overland flooding. Sean Osmar is the Manager of Communications with the WSA.
“The Water Security Agency has issued an advisory and it’s very precautionary at this point. We haven’t seen any actual overland flooding but the conditions look right for them to happen. So we just wanted to make people aware.”
The area of concern applies to Pipestone Creek, Moose Mountain Creek, Short Creek, and the Antler River and its tributaries, including Gainsborough, Lightning, Jackson and Graham creeks.
Osmar says at this point there are no other areas of concern for potential flooding in the province. “We are keeping an eye on conditions across the province, but right now what we’re seeing is the melt and the runoff has started more slowly, we’re seeing cooler temperatures generally across the province which is helping. On the North Saskatchewan River near Prince Albert, we saw the ice form but it broke up very nicely over the weekend and earlier this week so that has moved on down stream.”
The public is advised to stay back from, and off, waterways with fast moving water, particularly if it is carrying ice and debris. WSA also advises not to cross waters of unknown depths by foot or by vehicle.
Where possible, it is recommended that steps be taken to protect personal property, including moving items to higher ground.
WSA’s Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program (EFDRP) is available to assist residents and communities respond to flood related challenges. For more information on the EFDRP and details on how to apply, please visit Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program | Water Security Agency (wsask.ca) .
