REMINDER: CITY PREPARES FOR ANTICIPATED HIGHER WATER LEVELS The City of Saskatoon is taking precautionary measures, based on the potential rise in Lake Diefenbaker and the South Saskatchewan River, resulting from the heavy rainfall in Alberta. Yesterday, the Water Security Agency advised the public that record inflows from Alberta will cause flooding along the South Saskatchewan River. In anticipation of these record flows, the Water Security Agency is proactively increasing outflows from Lake Diefenbaker to try and mitigate the impact of this event. The City of Saskatoon Emergency Measures Organization is communicating closely with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and Emergency Management Fire Safety (EMFS) to monitor the situation, make necessary adjustments, and keep citizens well informed as new information is received. Saskatoon’s Water Supply The City would like to reassure citizens that the water supply is safe and everyone can expect to continue to have access to high quality water. The Raw Water Intake and Pump Station Facility is the primary raw water supply system for the City’s Water Treatment Plant. Substantially completed in March 2012, the facility is a source of high quality raw water and provides capacity to ensure that current and future raw water peak demands are met. The functional design used the newest engineering techniques, including computer modelling and application of precise quality control practices. Back-up intakes and low lift pumps, also located at the Water Treatment Plant, are only used during maintenance shutdowns and emergencies Restricted Access As a result of the information received from the Water Security Agency, the City of Saskatoon is taking precautionary measures, particularly for low lying areas around the South Saskatchewan riverbank. For the safety of our residents, the City will be restricting access, with barricades, to lower lying roads and parts of the Meewasin Valley Trail where flooding may occur. Beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2013, the following locations will be closed until further notice. 1. Spadina Crescent and the Meewasin Valley Trail at Ravine Drive, and just south of the entrance to the Meewasin Park North shelter. Access to the parking lot will be maintained. 2. The lower trail at the Mendel Art Gallery where it connects to the upper trail, including access to the Shearwater Tours dock and the Mendel Lookout. 3. River Landing lower trail between the Traffic Bridge and the Sid Buckwold Bridge. These areas will be monitored, along with other known lower areas, and further closures may be required in order to ensure the safety of citizens. If heavy rain occurs during this period, citizens may notice lifting manhole covers. Please report these to Public Works Customer Service at (306) 975-2476. Water Safety. Boat Launches and Trails Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services advises residents to exercise extreme care and caution around the river throughout this period of elevated water levels. Even when the water level recedes, swimming in the South Saskatchewan River is prohibited within city limits. Strong river currents, a shifting riverbed, and steep, slippery banks makes playing and swimming in the river extremely dangerous. The public boat launch in Kiwanis Park, north of the Broadway Bridge, will be closed at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Operating a boat or watercraft on the South Saskatchewan River is not advised. As a result of last night’s rainfall, dirt trails around the river valley are extremely slippery. For the safety of everyone, we are advising citizens and visitors to avoid using these trails until further notice. City of Saskatoon is not anticipating any residential home flooding as a result of the increasing water inflows. The City of Saskatoon thanks citizens for their cooperation. Please remember, in an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 17:56:26 +0000
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