The Montreal River in Air Ronge appears to be high this year. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Water Security Agency issues advisory for above normal flows in Churchill River System

Jun 3, 2020 | 5:36 PM

Stream flows are above normal in all portions of the Churchill River System east of Peter Pond Lake.

That’s according to the Water Security Agency (WSA), which is advising residents who live in the area that high flows pose a safety risk and high-water levels could damage property and infrastructure in the coming days. The agency expects increases from the rainfall received as well what’s to come this week.

“We’re advising the public that stream flows are above normal in all portions of the Churchill River system east of Peter Pond Lake,” spokesperson Patrick Boyle said. “We’re just kind of giving a heads up to everyone living in those areas around that to expect some high flows and, when you get those high flows, they can cause a safety risk if you live around the river.”

Conditions have been particularly wet from Montreal Lake up to La Ronge and over to Hatchet Lake where rainfall accumulations have been 200 to 250 per cent of normal over the past month. WSA estimates streamflows are about two to three times normal for this time of year, adding the control structure at Lac La Ronge has been fully open since May 26. The lake is at above-normal levels and continues to rise in response to above-normal inflows.

Stream flows and lake levels in middle portions of the basin are particularly high. The middle portions of the basin include the Haultain, Smoothstone, Rapid and Montreal Rivers.

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At an elevation of 364 meters on June 3, Lac La Ronge is at the top of its desirable operating range but is not expected to increase much further unless the area receives significant additional precipitation. Conditions in the basin have been wetter than normal going back to the fall of 2016, according to the WSA, with the highest flows over that period experienced in the summer of 2017. In many locations, flows are approaching 2017 levels.

“Really what’s happened is you get an accumulation of above normal precipitation over the last month or so here along with snow melt this year, and the runoff in the area was above normal,” Boyle said.

All users are additionally advised to use caution around the watercourses within the basin as swift moving water can pose a hazard and to take steps to protect property where necessary.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno