The South Saskatchewan River is a picture of calm as northern regions of the province experience flooding.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Alberta Environment says there is an above average snow pack in the Cypress Hills and in the mountains, but there is no concern at this stage about flooding in this area.
The snow pack that remains and will still melt in the mountains is “average to above average” for this time of year, said Khaled Akhtar, river forecast section Alberta environment and parks.
A survey done at the end of March indicated that snow is slightly above normal in the Cypress Hills. This would affect water levels in streams such as Ross Creek
Akhtar says having a higher snow pack at the beginning of the season does not mean you can expect flooding. Recent warmer weather in the area has already melted some of that snow pack.
It is generally a combination of the snow melting and heavy rainfall that makes for ideal flooding conditions, said Akhtar. If we had high daily temperatures for a prolonged period that could cause the snow to melt more rapidly, but still not result in flooding.
When it comes to the South Saskatchewan River, water levels are influenced by the snow pack in the mountains.
Akhtar says the streams and rivers that flow into the South Saskatchewan River are currently flowing within normal boundaries. There has also been relatively low rainfall in the last week.
The conditions that have resulted in flooding in the Fort McMurray and Fort Vermillion areas in the north have no impact on any possible flooding in this part of the province, said Akhtar. The flooding there was due to ice jams on the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers in Fort McMurray and the Peace River in Mackenzie County. The winter had been prolonged and the thickness of the ice considerable.
