The MD of Bonnyville is preparing for the worst.
After last year’s wet spring, and the flooding that was a result of a late snowfall and high water table, the municipality is trying to be one step ahead of mother nature.
“We’ve compiled a list of areas that we’ve had problems in the past,” detailed acting director of transportation and utilities Matt Janz.
In order to prepare, the MD has been busy moving snow and clearing culverts.
“In the last year, there’s been a lot of work done to try and help resolve some of the problems in our subdivisions. They’ve done some upgrading of storm ponds and drainage areas, but we still feel there are going to be some problems, so what we’ve done is we’ve cleared the snow piles and around culverts that we feel we’re going to have issues with,” Janz explained.
He used Country Lane Estates near Cold Lake as an example.
Last year, the subdivision experienced extreme flooding, so Janz and his team have cleared the ditches and subdivision of snow in hopes of avoiding the same problem.
Regardless of their efforts however, if the area experiences a late snowfall like last spring, they could still experience flooding.
“The crews were hard at work last year, and they managed to focus in on where the problem areas were, and they did some remediation during the summer last year. We’re hoping that improves the situation for a couple of those subdivisions, but if need be, we will have the crews on standby and lots of equipment available,” noted MD Reeve Greg Sawchuk.
According to Janz, the MD has taken their preparedness one step further by setting up emergency stations throughout the municipality.
“We had Sea Cans brought in to some locations where we can store pumps, hoses, signage, barricades, kind of anything we need for a quick response to areas that aren’t by our shop,” he expressed.
They’ve also rented five self-contained pumps for extreme circumstances where “we’re probably going to have damage to homes.”
“They’re six-inch water pumps with their own engine and everything. They can move water very quickly,” Janz said.
As the snow continues to melt, the MD is monitoring waterways that are already starting to open up. They will be steaming culverts in the coming weeks as well.
Janz explained their plans for Moose Lake, which has experienced severe flooding in the past .
“Over the last six months to a year, we’ve had engineers involved with trying to have, going forward, some plans to help reduce the flooding in some of these subdivisions. A lot of those projects aren’t complete, they will hopefully be getting approved later this year, and having plans going forward.”
He added, “This year, it will still be a lot of pumping and trying to put the water where it’s not going to flood anyone out.”
For residents wanting to take extra measures on their own, the MD will once again be offering sandbags.
Although they’re available to the public, Janz warns that property owners need to ensure they take the proper measures once the flooding has passed.
“We’re going to try and educate more on how to properly sandbag properties and what to do afterwards,” detailed Janz. “Last year, people left the sandbags in the water, which you’re not allowed to. Once the flooding part is done, you have to remove them, whereas last year, we didn’t see that. A lot of people kept them on their shorelines and then they were washed away, and we don’t want to see that.”
Janz recommended residents start clearing snow from around their homes as much as possible, and to ensure their drainage pass is also free of anything that could prevent the water from running through.
“Make sure your sub pumps are working, and if you have access to a generator for in case of any power outages, make sure everything is prepared,” he added. “Hopefully if it does happen, they’re prepared on short notice in order to help themselves.”
He also suggests contacting the MD if flooding becomes an issue.
Janz noted while they encourage people to call, they put residents’ properties, homes, and infrastructure on the top of their priority list.
Sawchuk said calling 780-812-5000 is “the quickest route to get to somebody who will get boots on the ground.”
“They can call that number anytime of the day or night and they will get someone, because it will be transferred to a foreman after hours,” he continued.
A high water table, late snowfall, design of subdivisions, and how quickly snow melts are some of the contributing factors to flooding throughout the region.
“It will all depend on our thaw. If it’s gradual, like we’re seeing now, we might have some evaporation and it might be helpful. If we don’t get a big snowfall, we’re hopeful that we might be able to handle this kind of water that we currently have. It will be that big dump of snow that will really hurt us and effect the people,” expressed Janz. “If we don’t have that, and we have this gradual melt, we might not be in as bad of shape.”
