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Too early to predict levels of South Saskatchewan

Apr 17, 2018 | 4:34 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — City officials are keeping a close eye on the South Saskatchewan River.

Levels rose earlier this week, but staff say it’s normal for this time of year.

Right now, it’s too early to predict what’s to come.

“During this time, we’re constantly watching this,” said Merrick Brown, director of emergency management. “We’re in constant communication with the province.”

Brown said it only takes a few key ingredients to create the perfect storm.

“Snowpack is just one factor that leads to a flood. You still need that really, really heavy rain event that kind of stays right over the mountain ranges and the foothills,” he said. “You also need quite a rapid melt, so temperature comes into play.”

Merrick adds that soil moisture levels are also taken into consideration.

Brown and his staff are keeping a close eye on what’s flowing down stream, including the ice, which was spotted when the water level rose on Monday.

“When that happens, we tend to see water level rise,” said river forecast engineer, Nathalie Brunet. “There are two different things that cause that. The ice is melting, it’s now contributing to volume in the creek, or in the river, and just as things kind of move around, we usually see a normal increase in the water level.”

Mayor Ted Clugston said as of right now, there’s no cause for concern.

“If something were to happen today, we have enough temporary measures to fill the gap between where the berms aren’t finished yet,” he said.

Clugston knows this is the time of year when the city grows tense, remembering the flood of 2013.

He said the last of the berm construction expected to be complete by the summer and he’s hoping the city sees the benefits.

“So far they’ve held back exactly zero floods and I think there is a little bit of a desire in the community to see the water come up a little bit and just see them hold back and work because then, they’ll give some sense of security and take away some of that anxiety during this time of year,” he added.

Brown said staff will go through training over the next few weeks so they’re prepared if the water rises too high or too quickly.

He added that everyone needs to be prepared, just in case.

“We all need to be very conscious of what the rivers doing, what the creeks are doing and also listen to direction of local authorities because things can change very, very quickly,” he said.