June 21, 2013
Flood Warning for The Pas
– – –Saskatchewan River Near The Pas May Rise to 2011 Levels as Floodwater from Alberta Flows East
Infrastructure and Transportation’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre reports water levels on the Saskatchewan River in The Pas area are expected to approach 2011 levels as floodwater from Alberta moves east through Saskatchewan and into Manitoba.
- The Ralls Island dike in The Pas will handle projected levels as it was elevated to withstand floods greater than the 2011 flood.
- Provincial officials are working closely with leadership at the Opaskwayak Cree Nationand The Pas monitoring the situation.
- The flood crest could arrive in The Pas between 10 and 14 days from now, depending on Tobin Reservoir operations.
The South Saskatchewan River flows through Alberta and Saskatchewan and is receiving floodwater from tributaries in southern Alberta. These waters move east and eventually flow into Manitoba via the Saskatchewan River through the expansive Cumberland Marsh which straddles the Saskatchewan-Manitobaborder and then to The Pas and finally into Lake Winnipeg.
- The river level is rising as the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency releases water from Lake Diefenbaker and Tobin reservoirs in Saskatchewan to make room for floodwater from Alberta.
- The reservoir draw downs are a good water management action that will significantly reduce the natural flood peak in Manitoba.
- Lake Diefenbaker reservoir outflows are expected to be 2,000 cubic metres per second (71,000 cubic feet per second) by tomorrow. This flow rate is higher than the peak outflow of about 1,800 cms (64,000 cfs) in 2005.
Over the past three days, heavy rainfall of up to 20 centimetres fell in the South Saskatchewan River Basin in southern Alberta. Additional rainfall is forecast for the same area as well as portions of the North Saskatchewan River Basin over the next few days.
River levels from the Alberta boundary to Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan may rise by seven metres (23 feet) starting at the boundary on Saturday with peak levels through to Sunday.
The Hydrologic Forecast Centre will monitor the river conditions and provide updated forecasts for the Saskatchewan River.
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