Sandbagging has begun around Saskatchewan as people prepare for anticipated spring flooding.
More than one million sandbags have been stockpiled in Regina for distribution across southern Saskatchewan as needed.
SaskPower has started placing sandbags around flood-prone electrical substations in the southeastern and central parts of the province.
The crown corporation is also stockpiling coal to ensure power generation continues.
In 2011, it was caught short at its Boundary Dam power station at Estevan when the road on which coal is moved into the plant was flooded. The station is the largest generator in the province and its operation was reduced for a few days.
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Chief executive officer Robert Watson said coal reserves were between 175,000 and 200,000 tonnes then.
Now, SaskPower has 500,000 tonnes on site and another 175,000 tonnes available across the bridge from the station.
Water releases from Boundary, Rafferty and Alameda reservoirs are now below target levels to prepare for runoff, according to the Water Security Agency. Flows out of the reservoirs are being reduced before local runoff begins so that the runoff doesn’t contribute to downstream flooding.
The provincial highways ministry has already responded to six incidents of water going over roads, including Highway 13 near Haze more, Highway 16 near North Battleford, Highway 18 near McCord, Highway 358 near Flintoft and Highway 363 near Hodgeville.
In all cases, the water receded within days.
The WSA will hold an open house in Lumsden April 19 as part of its flood preparation meetings. About 500 people have attended meetings so far.
