The community of Cumberland House is keeping a close eye on water levels.
Increased flows on the Saskatchewan River coupled with heavy rainfall this summer are causing near-record water levels in the Cumberland Delta.
Cabins in low lying areas are already sitting in water, according to John Carriere, owner of Carriere’s cabins.
“The water has gone into the cabins. The floors are flooded.”
Carrier says its a devastating situation for outfitting camps that are already struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic which cut off their American customers.
Ron Podbielski with the Water Security Agency said that water levels are reaching previous flood conditions.
“Much like the rest of northern Saskatchewan, we’re looking at that peak in the next 7 to 10 days.”
“The peak that we’re expecting right now is around 268 meters which would be the second-highest recorded level in the history of Cumberland House,” he explained.
That level is higher than the level the community experienced in 2013 when floodwaters forced 2,200 residents to evacuate.
The agency said evacuations are not anticipated, but Chief Rene Chaboyer said the community is on alert and monitoring levels daily.
“We are very concerned. We’ve been through a few floods before. We’ve built up the berms. I think we are prepared for this one more than ever before,” he said.
A release from the WSA said preparations are underway with the community and other agencies of government to ensure floodproofing measures, commissioned after 2013, are operational.