High stream flow advisory to remain on North Saskatchewan River until Monday
Edmontonians are being advised to keep their distance from the North Saskatchewan River as it is currently under a high stream flow advisory.
Recent above average rainfall west of the city caused the river’s height to surge Friday. In the Rocky Mountain House area, over 100 millimetres of rain fell, which fed into the North Saskatchewan.
“It’s going to be deceptively fast, you’ll see heights in the river that you’re not used to seeing, so an abundance of caution is recommended if you’re in and about the river over the next couple of days,” said Colleen Walford, a river forecast engineer with Alberta River and Parks River Forecasting Centre (RFC).
Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets away from the river for the time being.
“You can see how fast the trees were going by, so you can see you wouldn’t have a chance,” said Danielle Murray, a dog owner.
On Thursday at the Terwillegar Dog Park, Murray encountered a woman who was in the water trying to get her dogs back to shore. Both dogs and their owner made it out safely, but the experience was a reminder of what could happen.
“It’s really terrifying… I have a much smaller dog and if that was my little guy, he would have been gone in a second,” said Murray.
Just like you wouldn’t let your dogs walk on the ice in the winter or in the early spring, I would not let your dog walk in the river right now, no matter how big they are.”
In addition to the increased speed, sediment in the river prevents people from seeing what’s happening under the surface.
“It’s kind of like an iceberg that way, you really don’t know what’s going on under there,” said Walford. “Yes, the water levels are higher than before, clearances might technically appear like they would be better, but there’s a lot of stuff in the river now, I was shocked when I looked at it yesterday.
“It’s just not a safe place to be right now.”
The river reached its peak forecasted height Friday, but the advisory will remain in effect until Monday, when the RFC will reassess the situation.
Walford stressed that the river is behaving as expected for the amount of rainfall that happened and that Edmonton is not experiencing a flood.
More information on river advisories is available on the government’s website. rivers.alberta.ca
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jessica Robb
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.