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Advisories
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Streamflow Advisory for South and North Saskatchewan Rivers
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July 14, 2010
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The rainfall that was forecast for central Alberta did hit the mountains and many areas did not receive as much rainfall as forecast. As such, the flows and water levels on the South Saskatchewan and North Saskatchewan Rivers will not be as high as predicted yesterday in the Stream Flow Advisory.
Upstream of Lake Diefenbaker, the South Saskatchewan River is expected to rise by only 0.5 m by Saturday. This will not cause significant flooding and is not expected to impact river water users. Lake Diefenbaker will not rise appreciably as a result of the increased inflow. Flow at Gardiner Dam was increased by 75% (300 m3/s) yesterday, through spill. That spill was reduced today to 200 m3/s and will be terminated by Monday. Any rise on the South Saskatchewan River downstream will be short-lived. Following Monday, the water levels on the South Saskatchewan River should remain steady for at least a week. It is anticipated that the water levels and flows on the South Saskatchewan River should not cause problems for river recreation.
The North Saskatchewan River is expected to rise by slightly over 1.0 m over the upcoming weekend as a result of the rainfall and then slowly drop. The water levels and flow rates are not expected to cause problems for ferries or recreation on the North Saskatchewan River.
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will continue to monitor streamflow and water level conditions in the province.
For more information, contact:
Doug Johnson
Director, Basin Operations
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Moose Jaw
Phone: (306) 694-3959
Cell: (306) 631-0740
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Streamflow Advisory for South Saskatchewan River and North Saskatchewan River
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July 13, 2010
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With the rainfall yesterday and with the rainfall forecasts today for Central Alberta, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will reinitiate spill at Gardiner Dam. The spillway gates were closed Friday July 9, 2010, but will be reopened today. This will cause a
0.3 m rise in river water levels from Gardiner Dam through Saskatoon to the confluence with the North Saskatchewan River.
Upstream of Lake Diefenbaker the South Saskatchewan River is expected to rise by at least 1.0 m by Thursday. While this will not cause significant flooding, it will impact ferries and river water users.
The North Saskatchewan River is expected is expected to rise later this week as a result of the rainfall. The river levels rise will be dependent on the amount of rainfall in Alberta.
The rainfall is largely hitting the plains, foothills and mountains in Central Alberta.
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will continue to monitor streamflow and water level conditions in the province.
The next advisory will be on or before Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
For more information, contact:
Doug Johnson
Director, Basin Operations
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Moose Jaw
Phone: (306) 694-3959
Cell: (306) 631-0740
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High Streamflow and Water Level Advisory for Saskatchewan
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June 23, 2010
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The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is increasing the spill from Gardiner Dam today, by 75 m3/s, which will raise the South Saskatchewan River water levels in Saskatoon by 0.15 m and as much as 0.3 m through the rest of the river. This spill is not expected to cause any flooding along the river, though river velocities will increase slightly.
The South Saskatchewan River peaked at the Alberta/Saskatchewan border over the weekend and the peak flow has moved downstream towards Lake Diefenbaker. Both the flow in the river, in the reach from the Alberta border to Lake Diefenbaker, and the inflow to the lake remain high. Although Lake Diefenbaker will continue to rise, operations undertaken at Gardiner Dam will maintain the lake below its Full Supply Level.
The high inflows to Lake Diefenbaker are bringing significant quantities of floating debris into the lake. Lake users, especially boaters, should be aware of the debris and should be extremely cautious when navigating the lake.
Good Spirit Lake and Fishing Lake continue to rise slowly. Good Spirit Lake is believed to be close to its flood peak. Fishing Lake is not expected to peak until at least next week. The Fishing Lake peak water level is expected to be about 10 cm below the 2007 peak level, which is the recorded maximum water level. Peak water levels will depend, however, on the rainfall over the next several weeks. Good Spirit Lake is expected to be high for at least the next month, while Fishing Lake is expected to be high for the remainder of the summer. The greatest concern at these water levels is the impact of wave action. Winds from critical directions can cause wave run-up exceeding 0.6 m. Flood protection works need to be able to withstand the wave run-up and wave energy.
Last Mountain Lake continues to rise slowly. Craven Dam, which regulates lake levels, is wide open. Significant inflows from the creeks on the north side of the lake continue to push Last Mountain Lake higher. Also, recent rains in the Moose Jaw River and the Upper Qu’Appelle basins are increasing the flows in the Qu’Appelle River through Lumsden. Last Mountain Lake has not yet peaked, though the rate of rise is relatively slow. Last Mountain Lake will remain high through much of July. The Authority will continue to operate Craven Dam to release as much water from the lake as possible.
The flows through Maple Creek continue to recede and are no longer causing any flooding.
The Authority will continue to monitor streamflows, water levels and weather forecasts. Operational decisions will be based on these parameters.
For more information, contact:
Doug Johnson
Director, Basin Operations
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Moose Jaw
Phone: (306) 694-3959
Cell: (306) 631-0740
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High Streamflow and Water Level Advisory for Saskatchewan
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June 23, 2010
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The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is increasing the spill from Gardiner Dam today, by 75 m3/s, which will raise the South Saskatchewan River water levels in Saskatoon by 0.15 m and as much as 0.3 m through the rest of the river. This spill is not expected to cause any flooding along the river, though river velocities will increase slightly.
The South Saskatchewan River peaked at the Alberta/Saskatchewan border over the weekend and the peak flow has moved downstream towards Lake Diefenbaker. Both the flow in the river, in the reach from the Alberta border to Lake Diefenbaker, and the inflow to the lake remain high. Although Lake Diefenbaker will continue to rise, operations undertaken at Gardiner Dam will maintain the lake below its Full Supply Level.
The high inflows to Lake Diefenbaker are bringing significant quantities of floating debris into the lake. Lake users, especially boaters, should be aware of the debris and should be extremely cautious when navigating the lake.
Good Spirit Lake and Fishing Lake continue to rise slowly. Good Spirit Lake is believed to be close to its flood peak. Fishing Lake is not expected to peak until at least next week. The Fishing Lake peak water level is expected to be about 10 cm below the 2007 peak level, which is the recorded maximum water level. Peak water levels will depend, however, on the rainfall over the next several weeks. Good Spirit Lake is expected to be high for at least the next month, while Fishing Lake is expected to be high for the remainder of the summer. The greatest concern at these water levels is the impact of wave action. Winds from critical directions can cause wave run-up exceeding 0.6 m. Flood protection works need to be able to withstand the wave run-up and wave energy.
Last Mountain Lake continues to rise slowly. Craven Dam, which regulates lake levels, is wide open. Significant inflows from the creeks on the north side of the lake continue to push Last Mountain Lake higher. Also, recent rains in the Moose Jaw River and the Upper Qu’Appelle basins are increasing the flows in the Qu’Appelle River through Lumsden. Last Mountain Lake has not yet peaked, though the rate of rise is relatively slow. Last Mountain Lake will remain high through much of July. The Authority will continue to operate Craven Dam to release as much water from the lake as possible.
The flows through Maple Creek continue to recede and are no longer causing any flooding.
The Authority will continue to monitor streamflows, water levels and weather forecasts. Operational decisions will be based on these parameters.
For more information, contact:
Doug Johnson
Director, Basin Operations
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Moose Jaw
Phone: (306) 694-3959
Cell: (306) 631-0740
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Advisories