River Update #3 - Water Levels Continue To Rise, Streamflow Advisory in Place

The sun briefly appearing Monday afternoon along the South Saskatchewan River near the YMCA following a sustained stretch of precipitation in Medicine Hat. A high streamflow advisory is currently in effect for the river and rain is forecast to continue Tuesday. (Photo Alex McCuaig)

The entire Bow, Oldman and South Saskatchewan river basins are under high streamflow advisories with water levels in Medicine Hat continuing to climb over the next few days.

The advisory for the South Saskatchewan River was issued late Monday afternoon as water levels are anticipated to rise up to 2.5 metres but no flooding is expected. 

Monday afternoon also saw a new high streamflow advisory issued for the Bow from the confluence of the Highwood River to the mouth of the South Saskatchewan River with water levels expected to rise by up to 1 metre.

A flood watch continues to be in place on the Bow at Lake Louise but streamflows have peaked and are now falling.

While the streamflows on the upper reaches of the Bow have crested, levels on the Oldman haven’t as of early Tuesday morning.

Streamflows from the three rivers flowing into the Oldman reservoir - Crowsnest, Castle and Upper Oldman - are continuing to rise. The Oldman reservoir is at 97 per cent capacity with downstream releases increasing early Tuesday.

Downstream tributaries to the lower Oldman River have yet to crest with Pincher Creek, St. Mary and Belly rivers all continuing to see rising levels as of early Tuesday morning.

The St. Mary Reservoir is sitting at 98 per cent capacity.

As of early Tuesday morning and throughout the recent events leading up to the increase in river levels, the City of Medicine Hat has yet to post any information or guidance to residents on its website or Facebook page regarding the situation. Boat launches were open as of at least early Monday evening.

Upstream municipal governments have been actively posting warnings since the weekend regarding the situation, warning boaters to stay off the rivers and residents take care when near watercourses or suggesting to stay well clear of riverbanks.

Streamflows on the South Saskatchewan River at Medicine Hat breached the 700 m³/s mark for only the third time in the last decade early Tuesday morning and are expected to continue climbing.

No flooding is anticipated and there are no forecasts which foresee a repeat of 2013 rivers levels which hit 4,500 m³/s at Medicine Hat.

Environment Canada is forecasting rain on Tuesday with up to 15 mm expected.