SASKATCHEWAN PREPARING FOR POTENTIAL SPRING FLOODING

With flooding likely to occur this spring, the Government of Saskatchewan is monitoring water levels and runoff and ensuring emergency plans are in place.

“Forecasting indicates that areas of the province will experience above-average runoff this spring, with the potential for flood situations.  We are closely monitoring conditions, and are preparing for any developments that might threaten property or our residents’ personal safety,” Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority John Nilson said.

Saskatchewan Corrections and Public Safety is currently ensuring that all provincial agencies involved in emergency planning are ready for the potential spring runoff events.

Saskatchewan Corrections and Public Safety and the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority are jointly hosting planning workshops on spring runoff preparedness with both urban and rural municipalities in potentially-affected areas.  Meetings are also being held with Red Earth Cree Nation regarding the possible impacts of flow on the Carrot River and the development of a response plan.  Red Earth Cree Nation has been very proactive in preparing a flood response plan.

The potential flood conditions are primarily in the northern areas of the agriculturally productive region of the province.  Generally, these conditions can be attributed to three factors; abundant summer and late fall precipitation which filled waterbodies and increased soil moisture to field capacity, frozen soil conditions, which reduces infiltration and increases runoff potential, and above-normal winter precipitation and current snow moisture content.  In addition, creeks in many locations continued to run after freeze-up, causing significant ice build-up, frozen culverts and higher flows.

In preparation for spring runoff, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority develops runoff forecasts, and prepares and updates runoff potential maps on a regular basis.  The Authority is currently enhancing its streamflow gauging network to collect better streamflow information.  Authority staff are in the field, gathering information and assisting in flood preparations for municipalities and rural residents.

The Authority also hosts Runoff Roundup, an information hotline for members of the media that provides regular reports on runoff conditions in each region of Saskatchewan, as well as for the province as a whole.

For the latest runoff forecasts and runoff potential maps, please visit www.swa.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Doug Johnson
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3959
Cell: 306-631-0740