ATHABASCA - A flood watch and high streamflow advisories are currently in effect for the Athabasca River and its tributaries.
The alerts, from Alberta Environment and Parks, were refreshed at 2:40 p.m. Sunday afternoon and state a flood watch is currently in effect for the Athabasca River from Whitecourt to the Town of Athabasca. Water levels have risen approximately 2.5 metres at the Town of Athabasca, and slight increases in water levels are possible as the peak is expected to be observed this evening.
The last few hundred metres of the Tawatinaw River, a tributary of the Athabasca River, which goes right through the Town of Athabasca is currently covering recreational trails and is inching towards the skate park, and the area directly south of Highway 55 is completely covered in water.
The Rotary Trail and areas near Riverfront Park are also seeing flood waters overtake usually dry locations.
High streamflow advisories remain in effect for the Athabasca River and its tributaries upstream of Whitecourt. On Saturday, July 4, the Town of Whitecourt declared a local state of emergency after heavy rains, and the river, caused flooding in the that town.
This advisory includes the Berland and Wildhay Rivers where water levels peaked after rising one metre and are currently falling. Water level rises peaked at the Athabasca River at Windfall gauge on July 3 after rising 1.25 metres, and water levels are currently falling. The McLeod River upstream of Rosevear peaked after rising up to 2.5 metres. These water levels have peaked and are falling.
The high streamflow advisory also remains in effect for the Athabasca River from the Town of Athabasca to Old Fort where water levels could rise between one and two meters, peaking in Fort McMurray on or about Monday, July 6, but there are no flooding concerns at this time, according to the advisory notice.
Timely updates can be found at https://rivers.alberta.ca/.
