Flooding eases in central, worsens in northern Saskatchewan

NORTH — Flooding conditions are beginning to improve across southern and east-central Saskatchewan, but water levels continue to rise in northern parts of the province, according to the latest provincial updates.

A May 11 report from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency said snowmelt runoff has peaked or is beginning to decline in most major southern river systems as spring melt nears completion.

The WSA said conditions remained “largely unchanged” over the previous day, though provisional hydrometric data showed some central Saskatchewan areas experienced record-high flows following rapid spring snowmelt.

In east-central Saskatchewan, streamflows have generally peaked and are now receding, with many waterways returning to near-normal spring levels according the May 11 WSA runoff report.

“At locations that experienced high flows last week, levels are generally approaching normal conditions, though some may remain above normal for several days,” the report stated.

However, the report said flows continue to steadily increase in northern Saskatchewan, where many communities remain under states of local emergency.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency reported May 11 that, as of 4 p.m., 19 communities were under local emergency declarations due to flooding.

Those communities included the Northern Hamlet of St. George’s Hill, the Resort Village of Chorney Beach, the Resort Village of Leslie Beach, the RM of Aberdeen No. 373, the RM of Barrier Valley No. 397, the RM of Big River No. 555, the RM of Buchanan No. 304, the RM of Buckland No. 491, the RM of Garden River No. 490, the RM of Invermay No. 305, the RM of LeRoy No. 339, the RM of Moose Range No. 486, the RM of Ponass Lake No. 367, the RM of Prairie Rose No. 309, the RM of St. Louis No. 431, the RM of Usborne No. 310, the RM of Wolverine No. 340, the Village of White Fox and Sturgeon Lake First Nation.

The SPSA said it has supported 31 communities with flood-related assistance this spring.

Communities can request a range of supports from the SPSA, including emergency management assistance, flood mitigation measures, equipment and evacuation support.

The Water Security Agency said updates on runoff and streamflow conditions will continue to be issued on a semi-regular basis as water levels recede across the province.