Heavy rain in Alberta pushes North Saskatchewan River level higher

Significant rain in Alberta over the last few days is expected to push water levels higher in the North Saskatchewan River.

Stream flows on the river in Alberta are well above normal, according to a news release from the Water Security Agency issued Wednesday. It said heavy rains were expected Monday and Tuesday in areas west of Edmonton.

The agency said while the expected high flows are usual for the river, they are abnormal for this time of year; adding the rising levels shouldn’t cause any flooding or other damage.

A normal flow for this time of year is 220 cubic metres per second, and the peak is expected to be close to 1,200.

The rising levels are expected to begin at the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary late Thursday, with a peak Friday or Saturday.

That peak is expected to reach the Battlefords Sunday, and Prince Albert by Monday night or Tuesday morning.

The agency expects to provide detailed forecasts to municipalities, as well as to Husky Energy, which continues to have crews working on the cleanup of the July 21 oil spill in the river.