By The Canadian Press

Above-normal snowpack prompts concern for low-lying flooding

Apr 8, 2018 | 8:36 AM

EDMONTON – Alberta officials are keeping a close eye on creeks and streams across the province as temperatures start to rise.

During last week’s monthly snow survey by Alberta Environment, all of the river basins still had higher than average snowpacks.

River forecast engineer David Watson says the immediate concern is in the low-lying areas of the prairies.

He says it’s not typical to have so much plains snowpack left at this time of year.

With the temperatures expected to warm up, Watson says that snow could melt faster than usual.

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It could lead to minor flooding in low-lying areas, ditches, creeks and streams.

Watson says they don’t expect any flooding along the larger rivers such as the Bow through Calgary or the Athabasca north of Edmonton.

But the snowpack isn’t the only factor that leads to floods or droughts.

In June 2013, when major flooding swept through southern Alberta, heavy rain fell on top of a high snowpack in the mountains.

(The Canadian Press)