(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

High flows

River expected to rise by 40 to 50 cm Friday

Jul 9, 2020 | 1:00 PM

The Water Security Agency (WSA) is warning of increased risk in the Prince Albert area due to rapidly increasing flows on the North Saskatchewan River.

A WSA spokesperson told paNOW the river is expected to rise by 40 to 50 centimetres on Friday due to increased flows from Alberta and recent rainfall in the Battleford region.

The WSA said the river’s flow is expected to peak on Friday, reaching 2,000 cubic meters per second. The last time the flow reached this level in the Prince Albert area, outside of river break-up, was 2011.

Flooding is not expected at this point. However, the WSA reminded the public high flows pose a safety risk and high water levels could damage property and infrastructure over the coming days. Steps should be taken to protect property where necessary.

Caution should be used around the river as swift moving water can pose a hazard.

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Risk of localized flooding for Churchill River System

The WSA is also updating the High Streamflow Advisory for the Churchill River System to include additional details.

The public is reminded to be aware of the potential flooding in the area and are advised to use caution as swift moving water can pose a hazard. The high flow event making its way down the Beaver River is resulting in increasing flows below Green Lake.

Peak flows are expected in the Beauval area in early July and Lac Ile-a-la-Crosse is expected to peak in mid-July. Peak flows on the system are exceeding or expected to exceed 2017 levels and approach the record levels observed in 1974. WSA and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency are working with communities at risk, implementing flood mitigation measures.

Lac La Ronge remains at elevated levels. Lake levels will continue to rise over the next couple of weeks, but flooding is not expected. Strong winds are a factor that may impact water levels. With elevated water levels and moisture conditions throughout the basin, the threat of higher water levels remains.

Flows into Reindeer Lake are at a record high and the lake is currently at Full Supply Level. Flows out of Reindeer Lake from Whitesand Dam have been increased but are not yet at full capacity. The high flows from Whitesand Dam combined with flows on the Churchill River will result in the highest flows on record at Island Falls and Sandy Bay, exceeding the flow of 2300m3/s that was experienced in 2005.

It is expected the water levels will rise over the next few days, and flows will cause localized flooding downstream of Island Falls.

WSA is actively involved and working with SaskPower on release plans to minimize damage and is notifying downstream stakeholders. Flows are well above normal at all locations east of Peter Pond Lake and will remain at above normal levels into the winter months.

Any landowners near the Beaver River are also advised to be aware of the situation and potential impacts to property.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom