Rising water creates host of problems for Calgary and area
Posted Jun 8, 2012 7:27 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
City officials have put a boil water advisory in effect for six communities in the city’s far northwest.
Officials say high levels on the Bow River have created turbidity in the water, turning a normally crystal clear river to a murky brown.
The Hamptons, Hidden Valley, Kincora, Nolan Hill, Sage Hill and Sherwood are under an advisory until at least Saturday.
Residents are advised to bring their water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking, brushing teeth, cleaning foods and preparing infant formula.
Showering and washing clothes is still okay.
There is a concern that anyone who consumes the water could become ill.
City crews have begun flushing the systems in those six neighbourhoods.
Calgary isn’t the only city dealing with issues, though; Prince George, B.C., has declared a state of emergency.
Rising waters on the Upper Fraser River have forced officials to evacuate 17 homes near the waterway.
“We’re issuing as a result of monitoring some additional evacuation alerts that might be impacted should the Nechako River levels continue to rise,” says spokesperson Chris Bone.
An evacuation alert is also in place for the North Okanagan, east of Enderby, due to levels on the Ashton Creek.
Flood watches in British Columbia are also in place for the Liard River, the Peace River region and the northern Rockies.
In Alberta, many communities are under a high stream flow advisory, including Calgary and Red Deer.
Upstream from Calgary, Canmore is one of two communities under siege; high levels on the Bow River have forced officials to close area pathways.
The recent wet weather also led to a mudslide that recently closed the TransCanada Highway between Revelstoke and Golden.
According to Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, no major flooding is expected, though minor issues could develop in low-lying areas.
Forecasters are expecting water levels in many of the regions to peak Friday and then recede later in the day or sometime Saturday.
