Flooding in Waterton Lakes National Park, June 14, 2022. (Photo: Parks Canada)

By Mario Cabradilla

Alberta releases flood update

Jun 15, 2022 | 6:28 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The province says most rivers flowing out of the foothills in southern and central Alberta have peaked or will be peaking soon.

The flood watch that had been in effect for Waterton Lakes National Park since Monday, June 13, 2022 has been downgraded to a high streamflow advisory, and high streamflow advisories are still in effect for many waterways across southern Alberta, including the Lethbridge region.

The Government of Alberta stated that there are no major flooding reports as of 3:30 p.m., June 15, 2022. The province also reported that water levels for all major rivers in the province range from normal to above normal.

“Flood peaks in major rivers are expected to move across the province over the remainder of the week,” said Lisa Jackson, executive director, Environmental Emergency Management Branch, Alberta Environment and Parks during a June 15 news conference. “Lingering shower activity is possible for the remainder of the day today before it moves out of the province tomorrow,” said Jackson.

The province also provided a precipitation summary between Sunday, June 12, 2022 and Wednesday, June 15, 2022:

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• Widespread areas of the province received up to 30 millimeters of rain
• West of Calgary and south of Pincher Creek observed 80-100 millimeters of rain
• West of Okotoks received up to 160 millimeters of rain

“A further five to 20 millimeters is expected with the shower activity across central and southern Alberta before it moves out of the province,” added Jackson.

There are also currently provincial park closures due to wet and unsafe conditions, and localized flooding, according to the province, including:

• Bow River Campground
• Three Sisters Campground
• Strachan Provincial Recreation Area
• Prairie Creek Provincial Recreation Area

For full details on park closures, visit: Alberta Parks Advisories and Public Safety.

Some road closures are also currently in effect across the province, including:

• Highway 848 south of Drumheller in both directions from Highway 570 to Highway 564 – closed due to flooding
• Highway 40 north of Jasper in both directions, 12.24 kilometres beyond Sulphur Gates Road – closed due to avalanche danger

For full details on road closures and conditions, visit: 511 Alberta.

The provincial government also provided updates on flood watches that were downgraded to high streamflow advisories, including:

• Waterton Lake and the Oldman River Basin
• Red Deer River and tributaries upstream from Gleniffer Reservoir

For more information, visit: Rivers Alberta.

The province says there are also no structural concerns or dam safety concerns at this time, as forecasted inflows significantly dropped in the reservoirs in the last 24 hours.

The provincial government says that snowfall development at higher elevations reduced flood peaks, and dry conditions in southern Alberta are suspected to have “played a role in absorbing some of the impact,” according to Jackson.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.