By Patrick Book

Provincial government moving around $22 million preparing for possible heavy flooding

Apr 8, 2011 | 6:45 AM

The province is preparing to move money, equipment, and people around Saskatchewan this spring to try and prepare for possible heavy flooding.

The latest spring run-off forecast by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA) shows there's much higher-than-average runoff expected in most agricultural areas of the province. It also now includes Regina in its highest-risk zone, which runs south of Hudson Bay and Melfort, past Weyburn, and as far east as Wynyard and Regina. The forecast predicts “very high” run-off in that zone.

The Authority's John Fahlman admits we've benefitted from a gradual melt so far.

“Whether or not that continues into the future the current long-term forecast is starting to show things might change next week, so we're watching the weather just like everybody else.”

Meanwhile the province is moving around more of the $22 million dedicated to the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program. Nine communities in the Humboldt area have been granted $300,000 to set up protective measures, covering pumping equipment, construction of berms and culverts, sandbagging, and other measures. The program covers 50 per cent of the cost for temporary measures, 75 per cent for permanent work, and 85 per cent of changes made on farm yards.

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So far more than 500 applications have come in. SWA Minister Dustin Duncan notes that includes 200 individuals, most of whom are looking to protect farm properties.

“Communities are working with consultants and technical experts to design what type of flood mitigation program would work best for them,” Duncan told reporters at the Legislature in Regina Thursday morning following Question Period. “Once that is approved and a contract is signed with the Watershed Authority then work can begin. It really varies across the province how far progress is coming.”

The Authority isn't acting alone either. The Highways Ministry is also preparing to deal with the effects of a higher-than-usual run-off or major flooding. Minister Jim Reiter admits the department is also juggling resources as it enters a “preparedness phase.”

“We're being ready to deploy workers from other parts of the province if need be and keeping lists and getting equipment ready if there is a flooding issue.”

The ministry has ordered extra equipment and supplies, including steaming units that are used to thaw out frozen culverts, preventing them from being damaged in heavy water flows. A list of contractors and equipment has also been put together to help coordinate efforts quicker. Emergency trailers are also being sent out all over the province.

Reiter expects the south-west to be the major area of concern after the dramatic rainfall last year lead to a rush of water washing out half of Highway One near Maple Creek. The eastbound lanes on that stretch of road are only temporary at this point. The government is hoping to move ahead with a permanent repair this construction season, but Reiter admits it will have to sit back and wait out the run-off to see how bad things get.

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