Although it will be good news for soil moisture levels, the above-average snowpack in north and central Saskatchewan is also bringing flooding, ice jamming, and road closures to several communities.  

Shawn Jaques with the Water Security Agency says last week, the WSA issued a high flow advisory for a large area stretching from Buffalo Narrow to Yorkton. Now, over a dozen communities are dealing with the aftermath of this melting, with the worst impacts currently being seen in Prince Albert, Foam Lake, and Meadow Lake.  One flood is taking place at the northwest edge of Meadow Lake, while three more are impacting Prince Albert and surrounding area, including St. Louis and Duck Lake. 

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency crews are tending to these regions with sandbags and thawing culverts to prevent ice jamming, and Jaques says upcoming cooler temperatures will help to alleviate additional flooding concerns.  

“It’s a situation that we’re closely monitoring. There are still significant flows in the Meadow Lake area, and in the forested areas there is still a fair bit of snowpack…With the cooler temperatures that are forecasted next week, they should help maintain and not increase the risk of flooding.”

Bill Pacholka with the Ministry of Highways says as of noon Thursday, there were a total of 14 roads covered in water across the province, two of which needed to be closed. 

“North and south of Foam Lake, so Highway 310, those have been closed. The waterflow over the road was just a little bit too much…Highway 304 southwest of Meadow Lake- that one’s closed.”

Conditions are changing all the time, and he urges drivers to check the highway hotline or the interactive water security agency map before heading out to make sure your route isn’t impacted by flooding.