Lac Ste. Anne Country experiencing floods not seen in decades

Lac Ste. Anne County officials are currently monitoring unusually high water levels in the region. 

MLA for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland Shane Getson quickly responded to the press release over social media, taking the opportunity to get into the air himself to monitor the situation.

“[I flew] over the Sturgeon, Paddle, Pembina and Lobstick rivers today and can confirm that all are at capacity or overflowing,” stated Getson on his official Facebook page. 

The county is presently attempting to retain water flow until levels subside. High water levels have also been seen in Yellowhead and Leduc counties.

County officials have officially ruled out the weir managed by Alberta Environment at Sturgeon River, beaver dams and other such vegetation blockages as contributing factors towards the high water levels.

“This is the fourth consecutive year that the County has experienced an unprecedented amount of rainfall resulting in extensive flooding — including in areas where flooding has not historically been an issue,” reported Joe Blakeman, Reeve of Lac St. Anne County. The reeve has attributed the high water levels to “a heavy winter snowpack, steady spring precipitation and saturated feeder tributaries…[which] have resulted in higher-than-average water table levels and overland flooding.”

CTV News Edmonton has reported how the unusually wet weather has interfered with many local farmers near Sangudo and Edson, creating both infrastructure damage and delays in the seeding process. Furthermore, flooding from a culvert forced several westbound lanes on Highway 16 to close Saturday, although the eastbound lanes remain open. 

Blakeman reported how adjacent municipalities have reached out to Lac Ste. Anne by lending tiger dams, sump pumps and other tools in an attempt to limit further damage to infrastructure and property. 

Although water levels have reached levels not seen in decades, the county office’s quick response ensured that repairs began over the weekend, which are expected to be completed sometime during the week.