High stream flow advisory issued at 4:39 am June 15

By Brian Konrad

Wind knocked power out in Veinerville, Parkview

High stream flow advisory for South Saskatchewan River

Jun 15, 2022 | 5:36 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A high stream flow advisory has been issued for the South Saskatchewan River, from the confluence of the Bow and Oldman rivers, downstream to the Saskatchewan border.

The Alberta river forecasters say the advisory is for more than one-metre-change in the water level, but no flooding impacts are expected at this time.

The city of Medicine Hat is in close communication with the provincial River Forecast Centre, and Director of Emergency Management, Merrick Brown says the last modelling they received shows an expected increase in the flow rate for the South Saskatchewan over the next few days.

Brown says people need to be mindful of their own safety along the river and creeks in the city.

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“Depending on additional modelling that could come forward in the next day or two, there could be some very low level flooding along low lying paths, boat launch, things like that,” says Brown.

But he suggests now is not a good time to be boating on the river.

The flow rate on the South Saskatchewan in Medicine Hat this morning was 272 cubic meters per second.

Brown says additional precautions would begin if or when the flow rate approached two thousand to 25 hundred cubic meters per second.

The rain that has been falling in the mountains and foothills to the west has not been as much as was initially forecast, and some of that fell as snow, which has also lessened the impact on rivers.

The Elbow river in Calgary is expected to peak this morning, with the Bow River to follow later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for southeastern Alberta, including Hanna, Oyen, Medicine Hat, Bow Island, Cypress Hills and Foremost regions.

Wind gusts reaching 90 kilometres per hour are possible in some locations, before easing later this evening.

High winds can result in power outages and fallen tree branches.

As of 10 a.m. the only reported outage in the city is in the Veinerville and Parkview areas, affecting 105 customers. City of Medicine Hat officials say wind has damaged electrical infrastructure and is hampering efforts to make repairs. As a result, the estimated time for restoration is still under investigation.

At 10:45 a.m. all power had been restored, says the city. Crews continue to be on standby during this windy weather.