Caution advised as North Saskatchewan ebbs
The North Saskatchewan crested Sunday, but even as water levels drop, Edmonton residents were urged to stay away from the swollen river.
Mayor Stephen Mandel tweeted the news at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, but a flood watch remains in effect for the City of Edmonton.
“You have uneasiness when you have a problem; we don’t have a problem here,” Mandel said.
But he said people still need to stay away from the river, as it is flowing fast and full of debris.
The Town of Devon, southwest of Edmonton, remained in a local state of emergency Sunday. Water spilled into Voyageur Park, the Riverview Mountain Bike Skills Park, the Lions campground and the river valley trail system. About 2,000 people were evacuated from the campground.
In Edmonton, the river also spilled its banks in some low-lying areas, including Louise McKinney Park and Riverdale.
City crews placed about 1,200 sandbags in Riverdale late Saturday and around the Alf Savage Centre in Whitemud Creek. As well, 102nd Avenue at 87th Street in Riverdale was closed.
Low-lying trail systems east from the Low Level Bridge to Louise McKinney Park were closed Sunday, but many people used them anyway.
Park visitors were stunned at how high the river had reached. River water flowed over the promenade on Sunday, covering the lower pedestrian promenade closest to the river.
“I was running down that promenade yesterday and it was fine,” said Elane Weinstein, who jogs in the park daily. “This is crazy.”
The owner of River Valley Adventure Company, Gianna Szydlowski, said she has never seen the river so high. Her company organizes Segway and bicycle tours around the park. For this weekend, much rerouting was necessary.
“Yesterday, there were people canoeing and kayaking, but the police got them off the water fast,” she said. “You don’t want to be in the water in that condition.”
No injuries were reported, and other than some trail damage from debris, there will be little clean up required, the city says.
“We are blessed, we are fortunate here we haven’t run into any significant issues and so we do not have a major clean up to do,” said Chris Ward, branch manager for drainage services.
The flood watch and river warnings will continue for “as long as necessary,” Ward said. He anticipates it will last a few days.
The Devon Lions campground flooded after visitors were evacuated from 285 campsites Saturday. Devon Mayor Anita Fisher said the extent of the damage won’t be known until the water recedes. No more evacuations were expected.
“The flow of the river is extremely fast and extremely treacherous,” Fisher said.
“Even if you’re standing on the bank, we have extremely high cliffs in the Devon area and we want people to understand they can give way.”
Ron and Judy Babiuk were seated in front of their parked trailer at the Devon Community Centre on Sunday afternoon. The two said they were given two hours’ notice Saturday and described the evacuation as “smooth sailing.”
The two, who live at the campsite during the summer, originally relocated to the parking lot near the library, but were swarmed by mosquitoes. They settled on the community centre because it has access to power outlets.
“It’s better safe than sorry,” Ron said.
“Everyone’s been so helpful,” Judy added. “The fire department, police and peace officers were absolutely extraordinary. There was no panic and everything was well organized.”
The flood coincided with the Special Olympics Alberta summer games in town over the weekend. Fisher said athletes were forced to leave the golf course Saturday, but were able to finish competing Sunday.
Devon fire Chief Robert Main said one person was pulled from the river upstream on Saturday afternoon. No injuries were reported.
He said police also spotted canoeists on the river. He urged the public to avoid the river valley parks and trails.
The North Saskatchewan River surrounds the town on three sides.