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Near Calgary, sections of the Bow, Elbow, Highwood and Fish Creek rivers are under flood surveillance
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June 13, 2022 • 7 minutes ago • 5 minutes reading • 10 comments The flooded path under the bridge on 25th Avenue in Earlton was closed as the Elbow River rose with constant rain in the forecast for Calgary on Monday, June 13, 2022. Gavin Young / Postmedia
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The city of Calgary has declared a local state of emergency in response to the projected flood, which increases the risk of local floods.
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Heavy rains are expected to melt the higher than usual mountain snow cover, increasing flow rates and water levels in several rivers, prompting the province to issue several flood warnings in southern and central Alberta. Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning on Sunday, predicting that Calgary and nearby mountainous areas will see 75 to 125 millimeters of rain by Wednesday morning, with localized amounts of up to 150 millimeters.
Mayor Joti Gondek said the city is making the declaration with great caution, mainly so that police and fire brigades can go door-to-door to advise people if there is an evacuation order. This will also allow city water services teams to have access to property if necessary to protect infrastructure and give the administration some “flexibility in purchasing”. The declaration expires in 14 days.
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“We went through two years of uncertainty and unpredictability, when the Calgary were incredibly patient, compassionate and kind to each other,” Gondek told a news conference Monday afternoon.
“I must ask you again for your kindness and patience.
As rhetoric returns to the devastating floods of 2013, which caused approximately $ 6 billion in damage and killed at least five people, Gondek assured residents that river levels are now “significantly lower than what we saw.” in 2013. “
The city began preparations for flood mitigation Sunday before the flood, lowering water levels in reservoirs up the Bow River and Glenmore Reservoir to make room for expected floods among several other precautions.
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Now the city plans to install a temporary berm on Memorial Drive. The road will be closed between the bridges on 3rd Street and Central Street from midnight on Tuesday.
The city said the greatest risk of flooding was in the Bownes and Sunside communities along the Bow River. The river is expected to peak on Wednesday or early Thursday afternoon.
“I want to emphasize that while the flows are not projected to be as significant as in 2013, they are significant,” said Calgary Water Director Francois Bouchard.
Since 2013, the city has made significant investments in flood prevention, including a flood barrier in the city center that runs through the city center from the Peace Bridge to the Bridge of Reconciliation. The city said the improvements have reduced the risk of flooding in Calgary by 55 percent and the potential damage from floods by $ 90 million each year.
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In a separate afternoon press conference Monday, Park and Environment Secretary Jason Nixon said it was a busy time for many Albert residents, especially those affected by the 2013 floods. He said the government was much more confident in Alberta’s ability. to cope with major meteorological phenomena such as this thanks to significant investments over the last 10 years. Nixon said the province is in contact with the city of Calgary, as well as surrounding rural communities, in preparation for the rains.
“The theme in every emergency Alberta has ever encountered is this: we are in it together, we will work together,” he said. “We are resilient people and we stand by our neighbors.”
Calgary’s River Cafe, located along the Bow River in Prince’s Island Park, is proactively closing the store and removing its perishable food and wine from the restaurant as the river level rises. Owner Sal Howell said her cafe suffered flood damage in 2005 and 2013 and is not taking any risks this year.
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“After two floods, we can’t just wait and see what happens,” Howell said, adding that officials will reassess the situation throughout the week. “Prince’s Island Park is flooded. The restaurant where everyone knows how to dine is quite high, but our lower level is like a basement, so we are really vulnerable there.
Flood tips
The province has issued flood warnings for several rivers and streams. The Alberta River Forecasting Center has issued flood warnings for the Bow River near Banff, Canmore and Exhaw, as well as areas of the Little Red Ellen and Red Deer rivers southwest of Red Deer. Sections of the Bow and Elbow rivers near Calgary are flood-monitored, as are the Highwood River and Fish Creek in High Level and Foothills County. Several tributaries of the Highwood in the area are at high flow.
The Bow is expected to be hardest hit in the Banff and Canmore area with a total of about 90 to 150 mm of rainfall, according to river forecasters. The Highwood River, which flows through the High River, should reach between 100 and 130 mm.
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For the Bow River Basin, the River Forecasting Center said it was possible to raise the water level by one to two meters, as well as basement seepage and flooding. Elbow can see minor flooding offshore upstream of the Glenmore Reservoir and trails may be affected downstream. The water is approaching the lower deck of the high-level Central Street Bridge, but the streams are expected to remain in the dike system.
The city of Banff says paths near the river will be closed and sandbags are being prepared. He encourages residents to register for their banff.ca/alerts emergency alert system. The city of Canmore says more than 50mm of rain will cause flooding problems in the lowlands and continues to monitor the situation. The city closed the trail under the Bow River bridge in Canmore last week and further closures are possible. There is currently no active collection of sand on the banks of the river in any of the communities.
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A sign warns that the flooded path under the bridge on 25th Avenue in Earlton was closed as the Elbow River rose with constant rain in the Calgary forecast on Monday, June 13, 2022. Gavin Young / Postmedia
High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass said the city does not expect flood risk near 2013 levels, especially with improved infrastructure, and the city is buying some risky properties after the event. Expecting less of a heavy impact on Highwood than in 2013, Snodgrass said the city was not worried about the coming rain, “but we’re not complacent either.”
“We know very well what we have experienced in the past and we will never take our eyes off this river, especially at this time of year,” Snodgrass said. “If you look at the river, the color of the river, the smell outside, all these things, it brings back a lot of memories for all of us.”
However, Snodgrass said the city is confident in its ability to protect residents from another significant flood.
“We are far from ever testing the true amount of what our infrastructure can support,” he said.
“With files from Jason Herring.”
mrodriguez@postmedia.com
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez
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