The North Saskatchewan River. (Ronald Quaroni/paNOW Staff)

By Ronald Quaroni

The Day After

North Saskatchewan River reaches highest level in 34 years

Apr 27, 2020 | 12:17 PM

The North Saskatchewan River proved to be quite the spectacle Sunday as water levels surged during the spring ice breakup.

“We recorded the highest level in the river since 1986, so it was pretty significant,” Prince Albert’s Director of Public Works Wes Hicks told paNOW.

The river officially broke at 3 a.m. Sunday and reached its peak at 11:20 a.m. at 6.584 meters and a flow of 2,870 cubic meters per second.

Hicks noted the river regularly flows between 100 to 300 cubic meters per second at a depth of 1.5 to two meters.

At this time, the total extent of the damage is unknown as water levels are still high and ice has accumulated on the shores. Portions of the Rotary Trail are under water and the handrail on one section was almost completely torn off.

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Despite the increased level and flow of the river, city facilities including the Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Lift Stations are all safe and undamaged.

“It was a pretty hectic day at those locations because the water rose to such a dramatic level,” Hicks explained.

“Backflows are a problem because you can have the water pressure, because the water is so deep in the river, push the water up the storm drains and up the outlets from the water plant and the wastewater plant. We had to have staff on hand to monitor those situations and take action as necessary during those highwater periods,” he said.

For the next few days residents are being encouraged to be mindful of the shoreline. Waterflows and accumulated ice on the shore the area could be undermined. This could lead to portions of the banks giving way.

“View it from a distance. It’s quite remarkable, but for the next few days try and view it from the shore,” Hicks said.

The Water Security Agency is actively monitoring the surge as it continues upriver.

“It is very unpredictable and we have communicated with stakeholders downstream. But at this point, I think the biggest areas of impact is P.A. and the R.M. of Buckland. We do believe we have seen the worst as it makes its way through Saskatchewan,” Communications Directors with the Water Security Agency Patrick Boyle told paNOW.

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Ron.Quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni