By Bre McAdam

Flood water levels adjusting in areas of Saskatchewan

Apr 26, 2011 | 6:55 AM

Warmer May weather is approaching in Saskatchewan, and with it could come one final burst of flooding in the southwest part of the province.

However, John Fahlman with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA) says many bodies of water are slowly receding, including the hard-hit Qu'Appelle River.

North of it, Fahlman points out Echo Lake has peaked.

“We're about 30 centimeters higher than we were in 1974. That would be a new record for Echo Lake,” said Fahlman, adding Katepwa Beach near Fort Qu'Appelle could also beat its 1974 record this year.

Bodies of water in other east central Saskatchewan areas like Quill Lake, Humboldt, Wynyard and Watson are also filling up.

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“It looks like the tributaries have now peaked. There's still lots of flow in them though,” said Fahlman. “The lakes in that region are just going to continue to rise. We expect those levels to be high again.”

Flood water continues to wash over approximately 30 segments of highway around Saskatchewan Monday.

“Most of the impacts to traffic tend to be in the Yorkton-Canora areas and around Preeceville and Kelvington,” said Doug Wakabayashi with the provincial ministry of highways.

Wakabayashi adds 13 sections of road are currently closed.

The places to watch over the next few weeks appear to be in the southwest near Val Marie, Cypress Hills and Eastend, where Fahlman says the snow hasn't completely melted.

“Where we are in the cycle is getting near the end. I expect in a week or so with some warm weather most of the snow will be gone, except maybe some of that in Cypress Hills.”

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