A temporary berm is being constructed behind Medalta just off Industrial Ave. The City says even though there is no immediate risk of a flood, measures are being put in place while social distancing is observed, something that would be difficult to do in a rush.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Temporary flood protection measures started this week behind Medalta and will also take place in Harlow, even though there is no imminent risk of a flood, the city says.
One temporary berm is being placed between the South Saskatchewan River and houses on the north side of First Street SW. The temporary berm will start where the permanent berm ends parallel to Harris Street heading east. How far east and how many homes will be protected by the temporary berm was not immediately clear at a press conference on Tuesday.
This is an area where home owners had not been in agreement about a permanent berm being built when the berm in the rest of Harlow was constructed after the 2013 flood.
Mayor Ted Clugston says most are now in agreement about the need for this after individual consultations with every homeowner in that area.
“We got an 80 or 90 per cent positive response to put in the permanent measures,” said Clugston, noting this could commence in the fall.
Homeowners in Riverside had also previously been reluctant to have a permanent berm that would reduce their view and access to the river. Clugston says they too will be protected by a temporary berm if there is enough time to do it before any possible flood.
Work is in progress on a berm behind Medalta, from Industrial Avenue toward Strathcona Island Park, providing protection from rising waters in Ross Creek and Seven Persons Creek.
“Residents can expect to see a variety of temporary measures being constructed, including a clay base to build up the existing ground elevation, along with both eight-foot and four-foot Muscle Wall flood protection product,” said Merrick Brown, director of emergency management. “These measures will remain in place until the risk of flooding has subsided.”
The South Saskatchewan River rose to more than 4.5 metres Monday and then reduced to 4.25 metres Tuesday. The rate of flow has also decreased and is nowhere near the level experienced in 2013.
Merrick suggested it could be about a week before all risk of a possible flood is over. Reservoirs north of Medicine Hat have released some water contributing to the levels being seen here.
Brown said the decision was made to put temporary mitigation measures in place because it would take too long to accomplish while following social distancing requirements if it had to be done in a hurry.
Should the risk of flooding increase, additional temporary measures will be deployed at other high-risk locations.
There is debris in the river and, although no rain is in the immediate forecast, Brown recommends people stay away from the river and creeks.
