‘Minimal changes’ to water levels in Fort McMurray overnight

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper, near Fort McMurray, because of the potential of flooding due to an ice jam.

There were “minimal changes” over Tuesday night to water levels in Fort McMurray, officials say.

The community of 108,000 is located along the Athabasca River. To the north, a 25-kilometre-long ice jam has stopped on the river, causing water levels in Fort McMurray to rise about seven metres altogether.

“Starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday evening, water levels stabilized and there were minimal changes overnight,” the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo said in an update early Wednesday morning.

“While this is a positive report, river breakup is still occurring and water levels can change quickly.”

With warm temperatures forecast, the municipality expects the ice jam to melt where it is, meaning river breakup could continue into the weekend.

Officials will provide an update after a flyover at noon on Wednesday.

An evacuation alert remains in place for Draper, a community of about 140 people 12 kilometres south of Fort McMurray along the Clearwater River.