Provincial parks prepare for soggy days under rainfall warnings

Provincial parks in northern Saskatchewan are preparing for a wet few days.

Rainfall warnings are currently in effect for large areas of the province including Buffalo Narrows, La Ronge, Prince Albert National Park, Narrow Hills Provincial Park and Meadow Lake.

Rain gauges in Meadow Lake Provincial Park are already showing as much as five inches of rain, “with more to come,” according to park manager Trevor Finlay.

But after last year’s drought, which meant the park spent most of the summer blanketed by fire restrictions thanks to the dry conditions, Finlay said he isn’t overly upset about the rainy forecast.

“We definitely needed the rain,” he said. “This is a blessing, I think. We all get sick and tired of it but at the end when the clouds clear and the sun comes out, it’s going to be a welcome rainfall.”

He said this time of year is ideal for downpours.

“This is the time when the forest really needs it to help the trees’ leaves bud out,” Finlay said.

While he may welcome the rain, Finlay said the wind has created some headaches in the park.

“We’ve got trees coming down on the odd building, and then across some of the roads,” he said.

Further north, Taylor Lake Campground in the Buffalo Narrows area is “soggy,” according to Marj Matchee with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.

Matchee said they’re always busy, but the park might see fewer campers this weekend due to the weather.

“Tenting camping would not be too much fun,” she said. “We’ve had lots and lots of rain, and that’s just going to make the campsite very muddy.”

Taylor Lake Campground is a more remote site situated between Buffalo Narrows and La Loche.

Water levels are there already high for the year, and Matchee said she expects the roads into the campground will be affected by the extra rainfall.

“The highway is rough to begin with,” Matchee said.

She said the weather won’t deter everyone from visiting the campground, especially those with cottages in the area.

“Start the fire and stay cozy,” Matchee said.