Flood warning issued for Oldman River and South Saskatchewan River – 2014
A flood warning has been issued for areas in the Oldman Basin and the South Saskatchewan River Sub Basin. This blog entry will be updated as the event unfolds, however we can not guarantee that we will always have the most timely information. For the most up to date details individuals should look to the Alberta Emergency Alerts website, the River Forecast Centre, and their local municipality.
As of June 30th the state of Alberta Emergency Alerts regard this rain and flood event are no longer in effect. Some impacted areas require donations to help with recovery. Check the previous updates for contact information of municipalities to see if they have a call out for additional help.
Additional Information
Contact Information For Additional Communities
- Coalhurst – website
- Lethbridge City/Oldman River basin – website – twitter – facebook
- Magrath – website – twitter – facebook
- Mountain View County – website – twitter – facebook
- Pincher Creek – website – twitter – facebook
- Redcliff – website – twitter – facebook
- Wallaceville (High River) – website – twitter – facebook
The Government of Alberta has put together a list of users on twitter to follow for updates.
Stream Flows and Reservoir Levels
- To find the stream flows and reservoir levels check out the Goverment of Alberta River Basins app and website. Please note that some data might become unavailable as gauges are frequently washed out during flood events.
- Weather summaries may be found on the Environment Canada website.
Photos/Videos of the Area
- The Whoop-Up Drive Traffic Cam may be pointed at the Oldman River in Lethbridge.
- The Town of Claresholm has posted photos on their facebook page.
- Photographer Lori Loree has taken aerial shots of Claresholm.
- The Blood Tribe has assembled a Flickr account with photos of the flooding in their area.
- The M.D. of Willow Creek has added photos to their facebook account.
Definitions
- High Streamflow Advisory – Stream levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly and no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Anyone situated close to the streams affected is advised to be cautious of the rising levels.
- Flood Watch – Stream levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bank full. Flooding of areas adjacent to these streams may occur. Anyone situated close to the river is advised to take appropriate precautionary measures.
- Flood Warning – Rising stream levels will result in flooding of areas adjacent to the streams affected. Anyone situated close to the river should take appropriate measures to avoid flood damage.
Previous Updates
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Blood Reserve #148 (Updated: 10am June 25th) |
| Contact info:website – facebook (note that the Blood Tribe is primarily using Facebook for communications) | |
| Currently under a State of Local Emergency.
The Flood Reception Centre continues to be operated out of the Multi-purpose Building. Recovery has started and the Blood Tribe has assembled a list of phone numbers to call for additional information regarding damages, housing, food and more. River and Waterton River have peaked and are falling, but still under flood watch. St. Mary’s River peaked overnight and is now downgraded to a flood watch. For anyone that would like to contribute food items, clothing, and monetary donations to the Blood Tribe flood victims, you can contact Tia Fox at the Blood Tribe Food Bank at 403-360-9147 or 403-737-2888. |
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Coaldale (Updated: 10am June 25th) |
| Contact info:website – twitter – facebook | |
| Coaldale to stay under a State of Local Emergency until drainage is done and pipes removed.
Residents are asked to conserve water to minimize the load on the Town’s wastewater and sewage systems.
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M.D. of Crowsnest Pass(Updated: 10am June 25th) |
| Contact info: website – twitter – facebook | |
| Updated: State of Local Emergency assumed to be over given the past tense update by the M.D. on the subject..
The Emergency Operations Centre is demobilized. The county asks that residents be extra cautious in the back country as new hazards and washouts may have occurred during the rainfall. |
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Fort MacLeod (Updated: 10:30am June 20th) |
| Contact info: website | |
| Currently under a State of Local Emergency.
A mandatory restriction has been put on all car washing and laundry facilities. Restaurants are asked to conserve water. |
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Lethbridge County (Updated: 10am June 25th) |
| Contact info: website – twitter – facebook | |
| Updated: No longer under a State of Local Emergency.
New: The county asks that impacted individuals contact the county with a list of damages so that they may give the Disaster Relief Program a scope of the damage to the area. Evacuation alert has been lifted.
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Magrath (Updated: 10am June 25th) |
| Contact info: website – twitter – facebook | |
| Updated: State of Local Emergency anticipated to be lifted this (Wednesday) morning.
Although the rain has ended the town continues to ask that residents reduce their water usage.
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Medicine Hat (Updated: 10am June 25th) |
| Contact info: website – twitter – facebook | |
| Updated: No longer under a State of Local Emergency.
Updated: The South Saskatchewan River is peaked at 1 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 2,980 m³/s . Residents of Medicine Hat may phone a flood information line between 8am and 8pm at 403-525-8600. |
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M.D. of Taber (Updated: 10:30am June 20th) |
| Contact info: website – twitter – facebook | |
| Currently under a State of Local Emergency.
The M.D. of Taber indicated that they are experiencing overland flooding on June 19th.
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Cardston (Updated: 1pm June 20th) |
| Contact info: website – twitter – facebook | |
| Updated: No longer under a State of Local Emergency.
Lee Creek peaked at noon on June 19th.
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Claresholm (Updated: 11:30am June 23rd) |
| Contact info:website – twitter – facebook | |
| Updated: No longer under a State of Local Emergency.
Overland storm drainage has receded. There are no flooded areas in the Town of Claresholm at this time. Sanitary sewer levels are high but there are no restrictions on usage. Drinking water system was never affected during this event and has remained safe at all times. All roads are open. Residents are asked to stay away from fast running storm drainage areas, and to watch for soft-spots. Visit the Emergency Alberta website for more information. The town is encouraging residents to start cleanup as soon as possible and to document all damage. |
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M.D. of Willow Creek (Updated: 5:00pm June 20th) |
| Contact info: website – twitter – facebook | |
| Updated: No longer under a State of Local Emergency.
The Willow Creek peaked on June 19th around 10:30am. Mosquito Creek in the north of the M.D. is experiencing flooding. The M.D. reminds residents who have experienced flooding to take photographs of the damage. |
- Flood Warnings have been issued for: Willow Creek downstream of Chain Lakes, Waterton River, Belly River, Waterton Lake, and the South Saskatchewan River.
- Alberta Parks has closed and evacuated several camp sites. A full list may be found on their website.
Update: 2:50pm on June 19th
New
- Flood Watch Advisories have been added in the Bow River Basin for Sheep River at Black Diamond and Threepoint Creek. A Flood Watch Advisory has also been added for Mosquito Creek in the Oldman River Basin.
New flood watch advisories added for sheep river at black Diamond and threepoint Creek. #abflood @BowRiverWPAC pic.twitter.com/EgmcBX3sGx
— Alberta WaterPortal (@WaterPortal) June 19, 2014
Update: 12:05pm on June 19th
- The Town of Magrath has declared a Local State of Emergency.
- The Municipal District of Taber has declared a Local State of Emergency.
Update: 10:45am on June 19th
- Rain continued to fall overnight. No additional known State of Local Emergencies or mandatory evacuations.
- The Forecaster Comments have been updated this morning at 9:57am. Environment Canada has continued to downgrade the rainfall advisory. The Forecaster Comments also included river statuses.
Oldman River Basin:
- Castle River has risen 1 m and is currently falling
- Crowsnet River has risen 1 m and is currently falling
- Oldman River upstream of the Oldman Dam has risen 1.5 m and is currently falling
- Willow Creek has risen up to 3 m and is currently rising
- Belly River has risen more than 1.5 m and is currently rising
- St. Mary River has risen 1.5 m and is currently rising
- Oldman River downstream of the Oldman Dam has risen up to 3 m and is still rising
- Waterton Lake has risen 1.3 m and is currently rising
- Waterton River has risen up to 2 m and is currently rising
- Lee Creek has risen 2.3 m and is currently rising, but appears to be peaking
- Pincher Creek has risen almost 2 m and is currently falling
- Tributaries of the Crowsnest River are falling
- The Oldman River at Lethbridge has risen 3.2 m and is currently rising. Forecasted Peak flow of 2100 m³/s by early Friday morning
- The South Saskatchewan River at Medicine Hat could increase an additional 3.3 m from its current level. Forecasted Peak flow of 2700 m³/s by late Saturday
- The Oldman River at Ft. Macleod is rising slowly and is forecast to peak at 1000 m³/s by early Thursday morning
Red Deer River Basin:
- Little Red Deer River peak of 80 cms occurred on Wednesday.
Update: 8:30pm on June 18th
- Fort MacLeod has declared a State Of Local Emergency.
Update: 5:30pm on June 18th
- Evacuations occuring in the Blood Reserve:
- All Fort Whoop Up Residence have been notified to Evacuate due to high rising waters.
- All of Little Chicago has been notified to Evacuate due to high rising waters.
- Fish Creek area along the river bottom has been notified to Evacuate due to high rising waters
- Lower Laverne has been notified to Evacuate due to high rising waters.
- Highwood River in High River expected to peak on Thursday afternoon.
- South Saskatchewan River in Medicine Hat is expected to peak on Saturday.
- Oldman River in Lethbridge is expected to peak on Friday.
Update: 2:30pm
- New Forecaster Comments have been issued. Numerous flood warnings have been downgraded to flood watch status, however some remain unchanged.
Update: 2pm on June 18th
- We missed earlier that Coalhurst has declared a State Of Local Emergency.
- The Town of Redcliff has opened its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
- No overland flooding expected in High River. Town reminds residents to ensure sump pump systems are working properly and that downspouts and eaves troughs are functioning due to rain in the forecast.
- Evacuations are no longer expected in Medicine Hat following new forecasts which show less precipitation.
- No flooding expected in Okotoks.
River flows would have to be at 120 m/s before breaching lowest lying areas. #Okotoks is projected to reach 95 m/s in 3-4 hrs then recede.
— Town of Okotoks (@townofokotoks) June 18, 2014
Update: 12pm June 18th
- We missed earlier that Cardston has declared a State of Local Emergency.
- Lethbridge County has issued an alert asking residents to prepare to evacuate. Additionally they have asked landowners to not drain the water from their fields.
- The River Forecast Centre has indicated that due to reduced precipitation in the forecast they will likely be downgrading forecasts later today.
Update: 8:45am on June 18th
- Overland flooding is occuring in Claresholm. A reception centre has been set up for evacuees.
- Claresholm has declared a State Of Local Emergency.
- Coaldale has declared a State Of Local Emergency.
- A reception centre for evacuees from Blood Tribe has been set up at the Blood Tribe Multi Purpose Building..
- Medicine Hat has identified potential evacuation areas. Residents of those areas should finalize their 72 hour kits.
- Due to favourable forecasts the City of Lethbridge is delaying their request for help with sandbagging.
@LandOLakesGolf addressing lake overflow by pulling water from their lake through sprinkler system back onto greens, this is not new water.
— Town of Coaldale (@CoaldaleAB) June 18, 2014
As of 6 am today, West Castle has seen 175 mm of rain, #Lethbridge 80-90 mm, #Cardston 91 mm. Still more rain to come. #abflood
— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) June 18, 2014
Update: 11:30pm on June 17th
- The Blood Tribe has declared a State of Local Emergency according to NewsTalk770.
- The City of Lethbridge has asked individuals to reduce their water use because their storm and sanitary systems are approaching capacity.
Blood Tribe officials have issued a #StateOfEmergency for the Blood Indian Reserve. #AB #risingwater
— News Talk 770 (@NewsTalk770) June 18, 2014
Update: 9:20pm on June 17th
- A State of Local Emergency has been declared in Medicine Hat.
With a heavy heart we have declared a state of emergency tonight. I want everyone to know that the city is prepared and this council cares.
— Ted Clugston (@tedclugston) June 18, 2014
Update: 7pm on June 17th
- A State Of Local Emergency has been declared in Crowsnest Pass.
- A State of Local Emergency has been declared in the M.D. of Willow Creek.
Update: 6:30pm on June 17th
- A flood warning has been issued for the South Saskatchewan River in Medicine Hat.
From the River Forecast Centre:
South Saskatchewan River at Medicine Hat preliminary projections suggest flows could peak at 5300 m³/s – up 6.5 m from current water levels; this is preliminary and is a projection based on proposed upstream dam operations in the Bow and Oldman River basins as well as forecast flows out of the Highwood River. This estimate will be revised as peaks occur upstream in both river basins and the maximum amount of flow reduction possible at the dams is determined.
- Additionally, Alberta Parks has closed and evacuated several camp sites. A full list may be found on their website.
- The City of Lethbridge has put out a request for help sandbagging in Paradise Canyon tomorrow at 8 am.
Update: 2pm on June 17th
- Lethbridge County Declares State of Local Emergency (click for full details).
We are urging residents to move livestock now as a precautionary measure. http://t.co/a2GXO3Xe0N
— Lethbridge County (@LethCounty) June 17, 2014
Oldman River valley residents should anticipate a potential evacuation sometime tomorrow depending on river levels http://t.co/a2GXO3Xe0N
— Lethbridge County (@LethCounty) June 17, 2014
Update: 1pm on June 17th
The flood watch for areas of the Oldman River Basin has now been upgraded to a flood warning. If you have friends or collegues living on the mainstem of the Oldman River and tributaries upstream of Lethbridge please share the warning with them so they have enough time to react. For the most up to date details individuals should look to the Alberta Emergency Alerts website, the River Forecast Centre, and their local municipality. A general outline of how to prepare is available on our website.