Courtesy: Terri-Lynn Arnal. Facebook post.

By Angela Kazmierczak

Snow melt causing floods in southern Alberta

Apr 12, 2023 | 12:21 PM

ORION, AB – A traffic advisory was put in place on April 11, after flooding occurred on the new Highway 61.

The traffic advisory was on both directions of Highway 61 near Range Road 71, which is not far from the hamlet of Orion.

Craig Widmer, who was driving on the road, says this road was redone just last year, and the flooding was as deep as four to six inches in one spot.

He urges others driving on Highway 61 avoid the fence posts on the road, coming from the ditches.

Widmer believes the flooding is from this year’s heavy snowpack, and the water is dissipating now so the flooding should begin clearing today.

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There’s also flooding in parts of southwestern Saskatchewan.

As of yesterday, the City of Swift Current has declared a local emergency.

City crews have responded quickly to the rising water, setting up barricades at low spots and closing dangerous sections, including the Lee Lam Bridge, where the water has overtaken the road.

Jim Jones, the city’s chief administrative officer, says the city will be able to acquire and deploy resources if needed.

He says the flooding is the result of rapid snow melt from unseasonably high temperatures.

This makes it day two of the emergency.