Preparations underway as Calgary readies for heavy rain Friday

Heavy rain is expected on the same weekend that in 2013 saw massive flooding in our city. City officials are confident in their ability to manage river flow.

The City of Calgary says preparations are under way with heavy rainfall in the forecast.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement on Thursday warning of heavy rain and strong winds anticipated in southern Alberta.

Despite this, the City of Calgary says no flooding over riverbanks is expected.

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As well, some water downstream from the Glenmore Reservoir to make room for the rain.

“We aren’t expecting any impacts in the way of out of bank river flooding, for this event. The preparation that we’ve been doing both on the Bow and Elbow Rivers is making sure that reservoirs are able to slow down and attenuate those flows that we are expecting,” said Frank Frigo, the city’s manager of environmental management.

He also explained that some conditions are favourable to avoiding flood-risk, such as soil moisture, groundwater levels, low alpine snowpack etc.

Still, Frigo says that Calgary is unique in that extreme effects of rainfall can happen very quickly.

“We tend to have hours, to a day or half day and that does mean that we have to be a lot more ready and a lot more able to respond.”

What Calgarians should do

• The City of Calgary offered this advice on what Calgarians can do to prepare for the deluge:
• Exercise caution around riverbanks as fast-moving water can cause erosion and destabilization;
• Warn children about the dangers of fast-moving water, especially those who live near rivers;
• Keep off temporarily closed pathways and away from any low-lying flooded areas near the river, for safety;
• Check for a boating advisory before going on the river and stay off the river if there is an advisory in place;
• Keep pets away from fast-moving water;
• Remove lawn furniture and other portable items off the riverbank;
• Secure items on your property in case of high winds or hail; and
• Direct eavestroughs and extensions onto landscaped areas at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) away from your home and your neighbours’ home.

The city is asking residents to report pooling water on city streets by calling 311 or filing an online request. However, they’re warned to wait 90 minutes before doing so, as the city has special devices in storm drains that allow water to drain slowly so as to not overload the stormwater system.

If, after 90 minutes, they haven’t drained, you can report it, and crews will respond on a priority basis.

Springbank reservoir

The Springbank off-stream reservoir has also recently completed, a project the provincial government invested about $850 million for flood mitigation.

Its job will be to divert and store flood waters from the elbow river when needed and release them when it’s safe.

Sr1 consists of a 24-metre wide, 4.7-kilometre long diversion canal that can carry flood water to the 29-metre tall, 3.8-kilometre long storage dam.

The actual reservoir has a storage capacity of 70.2 million cubic metres — approximately enough water to fill 28,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

“These are really helping to make sure residents and municipalities feel confident that we have the ability to manage water,” said Rebecca Schulz, Alberta’s minister for the Environment & Protected Areas.

She says staff in her ministry will begin 24-hour monitoring of Alberta riverways and will be coordinating with Alberta Emergency Management if need be.