With record snowpack in some areas, residents are still on alert about swelling riverbanks this spring.
Last year's flooding has made many residents of Drumheller, and indeed Alberta, more cognizant of the risks of living near a river. Recent snowpack data coming from the mountains in areas that contribute to the Red Deer River Basin have some residents concerned. The snow data reported at Limestone Ridge shows the snowpack well over 360mm (snow water equivalent), where the normal range is from about 100mm to 230mm. Snow Data taken at Skoki Lodge is on the high end of the normal range, and higher than last season.
Jamie Hanlon of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development tells the Mail that snowpack is just one small piece of the puzzle when looking at river flow.
“Snowpack is a little bit above average this year," said Hanlon, adding there are reports of some areas having the second highest amount in the 30 years of keeping records.
“Snowpack itself is not a primary cause of flooding. To be worried about flooding we have to look at the key driver and that is rainfall. In order to exacerbate any challenges with the snopack itself, it would have to be a significant rainfall, where the volume and intensity really creates a problem when the snow cannot absorb it and it runs off into the streams itself.”
Similarly, snowpack is not an indicator of potential flooding conditions.
“We’ve had seasons where the snowpack is below average, yet with significant rainfall over a period of time, even after the runoff is gone, can cause problems," he said.
The department continues to monitor all factors that play a role.
“We just have to keep looking at the forecasts and that is where we come in terms of identifying where that risk comes in. If we see a risk and our regional partners in rural municipalities see it, we’ll be letting people know in short order there is something to be concerned about.”
Flooding has not fallen off the radar for MLA Rick Strankman and he says the area still needs some clarity coming out of last year’s flooding events. In particular, getting answers about flood mitigation projects that affect the valley.
Until they select a new leader they are not focused on this stuff,” said Strankman.
"Some of this flood mitigation could have been done a long time ago."
Another question for residents is what the new reality is living near a river.
“How are these people going to live their life? There are people who want to re-mortgage their homes. We have talked to real estate people, we’ve talked to the banks and insurance people. Insurance rates are still high based on the potential of flooding. It is easy for them (the government) to say on paper they (residetns) are not in the flood area, but if the business side doesn’t recognize that, the government has to do something to quell those fears.”
