As darkness falls, it appears that water flow in the Red Deer River through Drumheller have leveled out.
While conditions can change quickly, water levels appear to have plateaued late this afternoon. According to the most recent available numbers from Alberta Environment since 3 p.m., the flow rate has hovered around the 1,300 cubic metres/second rate. It appears to have peaked at 1,322.
“The readings are starting to level out,” said Mayor Yemen.
“The flows in Rosedale will probably continue to rise for the next two hours, and the next four hours in East Coulee as it goes through,” said Mayor Yemen at 11 p.m., Sunday night.
The water is predicted to continue to flow at a high rate for a number of hours before levels fall.
While it appears much of Drumheller will be unharmed by the flood, water has risen on homes in a number of low-lying areas.
Like in 2005, Lehigh was hit hard. A dyke built by at the community was breached and 14 homes had to be evacuated.
“It is very unfortunate, but we built it with the information we had,” said Yemen.
He was impressed by neighbours helping neighbours in a time of need.
“It is pretty cool to watch the way people respond, it was incredible,” he said.
The Emergency Operations Committee will be meeting Monday morning to assess river conditions.
