High-running, murky water has led the Medicine Hat Fire Service to issue a warning advising residents to avoid the South Saskatcehwan River until conditions improve.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
The Medicine Hat Fire Service is warning the public not to swim or boat in the South Saskatchewan due to high levels and an increased amount of dangerous debris on the water due to spring runoff.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday morning, also states that residents should use caution on shorelines as faster moving water may weaken banks.
“The current flow rate … is high due to normal spring runoff conditions and rain upstream,” states fire chief Brian Stauth. “Runoff from melting snow in the mountains is causing (colder) temperatures, increased floating debris and high turbidity (murkiness), which makes for very poor visibility and dangerous conditions.”
Until conditions improve residents should avoid the river.
According to figures posted by Alberta Environment, the water level at the Medicine Hat measuring station has risen 75 centimetres (about 2.5 feet) since Sunday. The flow rate of about 900 cubic metres per second is not outside of peak conditions in a typical year, but that peak typically arrives later in June on average.
This week the city is completing temporary flood berms and walls at various locations around the city in order to be better prepared in case a flood warning is issued.
Officials state they are using “an abundance of caution” considering they expect construction to take longer due to health restrictions for workers related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
