Rain raises water levels in Alberta rivers

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Published: June 11, 2012

High stream flow advisories remained in effect June 10 in some regions of Alberta as continuing rain raised water levels.

Advisories were issued for the South Saskatchewan River including Medicine Hat, the Bow River upstream and downstream of Calgary, the Red Deer River upstream and downstream of Dickson Dam, the North Saskatchewan River and tributaries upstream and downstream of Rocky Mountain House, the Clearwater River, the Athabasca River upstream of Hinton and between Hinton and the town of Athabasca, and the Peace River upstream of Fort Vermilion.

A storm system that began June 8 brought rain to central and southern Alberta, especially along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

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As well, the Upper Athabasca River basin and foothills west of Calgary received 40 to 60 millimetres of rain as of early June 10 and more had fallen after the last Alberta Environment report.

A high stream flow advisory means stream levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly but no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

As of 11 a.m. Sunday, forecasters said most of the system had moved from Alberta into Saskatchewan, but spotty showers were likely to continue in southern and central Alberta June 11.

Up to 70 mm had fallen by Sunday morning in western parts of the North Saskatchewan and Athabasca river basins. Thirty to 50 mm had been recorded in parts of the Bow and Red Deer river basins.

About the author

Barb Glen

Barb Glen

Barb Glen is the livestock editor for The Western Producer and also manages the newsroom. She grew up in southern Alberta on a mixed-operation farm where her family raised cattle and produced grain.

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