Saskatchewan still focused on floodwaters, local states of emergency drop to 18

An update from the province revealed that as of Monday, the number of communities under current declarations of local emergency was 18, down from around 34 on Sunday.

As of 2 p.m. on Mon, May 11, manager of communications and media for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), Jeff Dedekker, said the organization is working with several agencies — including the Ministries of Community Safety, Health and Highways — as well as several communities at risk of flooding.

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Communities currently dealing with flood conditions are receiving resources and support, Dedekker said.

The communities with local states of emergency include: the northern hamlet of St. George’s Hill; the resort villages of Chorney Beach and Leslie Beach; the rural municipalities (RMs) of Aberdeen, Barrier Valley, Big River, Buchanan, Buckland, Garden River, Invermay, Moose Range, Ponass Lake, Prairie Rose, St. Louis, Usborne and Wolverine; the village of White Fox, and Sturgeon Lake First Nation.

“Currently, the SPSA is in contact with each of these communities and is supporting multiple communities and rural areas with staff or equipment resources,” Dedekker explained.

Significant runoff leads to high flows: WSA

Leah Clark with the province’s Water Security Agency (WSA) said most stream flows in east central parts of Saskatchewan have peaked and are continuing to recede.

“Flows are expected to stay higher than normal over the next several days, despite passing through those peaks,” Clark stated.

“Our preliminary data suggests that some areas in central Saskatchewan observed record high flows post-rapid spring snow melt.”

Clark said some areas have begun to recede but other basins have not yet reached their peaks. In the north, flows are still rising where there is snow pack.

“The late thaw (and) higher-than-average snow pack, combined with late spring snowstorms, continues to create significant runoff and flooding,” Clark shared.

She said the high flow advisory issued by the agency in April and updated on Thursday is still in effect.

A surge or higher flows than currently being experienced could be due for areas north of the Assiniboine basin and east central areas, due to the remaining snow, with those higher flows potentially producing similar or slightly higher-than-already-observed peaks. Clark said this could be particularly seen at the Assiniboine River near Kamsack, where above-normal flows are still expected over the next few days.

The WSA has reported record flows in certain parts of the Carrot River. Smoky Burn is showing its highest-ever water flow recorded at nearly 1000 cubic metres per second, which, at normal levels, would register around 200 cubic metres per second. Clark said the current rate is roughly an Olympic swimming pool of water every three seconds.

The second-highest measurement came from Armley, at almost 400 cubic metres per second, where normal flows would be around 70.

“The Quill Lakes basin flows on the northern tributaries increased rapidly,” Clark explained.

On the North Saskatchewan River upstream of Prince Albert, Clark said no snow is left, while flows on the North Saskatchewan River, tributaries and the main stem North Saskatchewan River upstream of Prince Albert are still declining.

“The Saskatchewan River below the forks has been receding as well,” she reported. “The Quill Lakes are continuing to increase, with above normal flows continuing in Iron Spring Creek expected to continue over the next few days.”

Clark said water levels are expected to continue rising in northern regions, as “several stations continue to to record discharges exceeding the normal range for this time of year,” including Crooked Hill Creek near Kenora, Assiniboine River at Sturgis, and Kamsack and White Sand River near Kenora.

Flows are declining from higher-than-normal levels in most areas of the Red Deer River basin, with the area of Archerwill being the exception. Those flows, however, are expected to decline soon as most of the snow pack in that basin has melted.

Carrot River flows are receding in most of the basin locations, but continuing to gradually rise near Turberry.

“That trend is expected to continue as the high flow wave from the upstream reaches the lower part of the basin,” Clark shared.

She said WSA officials are continuing to work with communties and offering information on flows as they happen. She reported the WSA has made more than 1,400 proactive contacts with local communities, RMs and First Nations.

As for local highways, Devin Pacholik with that ministry thanked residents and drivers for their patience while flooding continues to impact Saskatchewan roads. He said crews and equipment are still working on addressing issues as they come up and monitoring high-risk areas, while assisting with public safety measures.

“Drivers are reminded that highway conditions can shift rapidly due to changing water levels,” he shared. “Motorists are encouraged to consult the Highway Hotline before leaving and prior to their return trip for the most current information.”

Quickly-flowing water is impacting infrastructure, Pacholik said, “weaking road beds, eroding bridge approaches and contributing to ongoing challenges across the network.”

The situation continues to evolve, and he said the extent of overall damage and total costs for repairs cannot be determined at this time. Crews are working to keep highway access open and restore normal traffic flow “as quickly and safely as possible.

“All available ministry resources are being directed to the areas that are most affected by flooding,” he added, noting that culverts are being repaired or replaced as needed to manage water flow and pumps are being sent to locations where existing culvert capacity is not enough to help keep roads passable.

Presently, Pacholik said six provincial highways are closed due to flooding and eight incidents reported, related to water. He called the situation “dynamic.

“Regularly be alert drive to current road conditions, watch for signage and obey all flag persons, and again, the ministry appreciates the patience and understanding with those delays,” he advised.

He added that temporary bridge structures are being installed in some areas and road surfaces are being repaired.

A contractor, he explained, has been secured to install one such temporary bridge structure on Highway 165 over Smooth River, where there was a bridge collapse due to the flooding of numerous culverts damaged by ice jams.

Two other locations also presently have temporary bridge structures. One is south of Foam Lake that collapsed due to culvert damage and another Brancepeth.

Roads to Patuanak and La Plonge, according to the SPSA’s Tyler Harrison, have been reopened after flooding-related closures last week.

Wildfire concerns growing as flood waters recede

The SPSA could not comment on current wildfire concerns coming from the File Hills area on Monday, saying information on the situation was still being gathered.

Referring to Patuanak and La Plonge areas, Harrison said communication is still open with those communities and pumps and flood control barriers are available should they need, as well as any personnel or equipment required to address wildfires.

Bryan Chartrand with the SPSA explained that the agency is having operational meetings twice daily and provincially reviewing available resources.

“Currently, we do have equipment and staff assisting with floods, but it’s a very small portion of our labour force that’s requested out in the field right now,” he explained.

“We are monitoring conditions provincially and inter-provincially, seeing what’s happening in our neighbours yards, as well.”

He said that should conditions shift towards more wildfires, staff and resources are available to address those concerns, as well.

“We’re not forecasting that anytime soon,” Chartrand said.

Tools, including the SPSA’s interactive map and the Highway Hotline, are encouraged for residents in the province to use to access information on flooding and road conditions.