Central Sask. residents sit at the mercy of Mother Nature

“A number of regions in this area have a closed basin and it has poor natural drainage, so what you’re seeing is a lot impacts of that and where small bodies of what are being filled up and then impacting roads and residents and things like that, so that’s what’s happening right now,” Boyle explained.

This month in particular has been devastating. Boyle said the area has seen above normal precipitation—200 per cent above normal for this time of year to be specific.

“So that combined with an above normal spring and it creates the situation we are in today.”

Currently, the WSA is working with the RM, helping people enroll in the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program, which has been in place since 2011.

“It’ll provide assistance implementing emergency flood or reduction measures or prevention measures for communities and rural municipalities, businesses, non-profit organizations, individual farm and country residences, cottages. And the program is designed to prevent against imminent flooding,” he said.

As for when the flooding will end in that area, Boyle can’t say for certain because it depends how much more rain will fall.

“It’s at the mercy of Mother Nature.”

In mid-June of last year, the province opened up the dam at Anglin Lake to deal with high water levels, which peaked July 1. This resulted in severe flooding downstream. Boyle said this year they are monitoring the lake closely, but haven’t had any reports of issues that would lead to opening the dam once again.

Nonetheless, he can’t promise it won’t be opened the dam again because it all depends on the weather.

James Smith Cree Nation fights for roads

On the James Smith Cree Nation, there is a very similar story.

The community has been trying to hold back the water that threatens to take out its roads.

In April, some residents were evacuated as washed out roads blocked off access to homes, and although berms were set up and pumping is still underway that allowed most people to return home, the chief is still concerned.

Chief Justin Burns said over the past week the water level has come up a lot due to rain.

“We have additional pumps, but we are looking at purchasing … more bigger pumps, so that’s one of the efforts we’re making. As of now we only have maybe one house on evac[uation] right now because their road is completely gone,” he said, adding they are concerned about where to move some of the water.

“That’s a lot of water.”

The barriers are holding at this point, but it’s an ongoing battle, he said.

“But we are pumping water from those lakes over that berm and there’s … actually runoff that’s leading towards one of our major flooded out roads there. Like, we’re storing all of our water there, but we have to figure out a way here which way we’re going to be pushing that water,” he said.

Right now, the community is dealing as best they can. The bridge that had previously been shut down has reopened, but only to emergency services, Burns said.

During this time, he said he would like to see more help from the province to help battle the water. Burns did say the assistance from the Prince Albert Grand Council, as well as the organized community development corporation has been appreciated as time goes on, such as providing additional funding.

According to Environment Canada, there is a chance of rain everyday between Friday and Monday.

Is there flooding in your area? Send your photos to news@panow.com

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84

by Sarah Stone

Central Sask. residents sit at the mercy of Mother Nature

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