High river flow precautions back in effect

A high stream flow advisory has been issued once again for the South Saskatchewan River through Medicine Hat. The river level is forecasted to peak between 1,700 and 1,850 cubic metres per second on Thursday, July 2. There is no anticipated risk of flooding.

This incoming rise in the river level has prompted the City of Medicine Hat to re-implement most of the high river flow precautions which were previously in place earlier this month.

Closures and effects

The following closures are immediately in effect in anticipation of the peak river flow rate:

• All boat launches: Strathcona Island Park, Echo Dale Regional Park, and Fire Station No. 1
• Low-lying trails along the river: Including but not limited to Strathcona Island Park, Harlow neighbourhood, Riverside neighbourhood, and a small section of trail within both Echo Dale Regional Park and Police Point Park.

Crews are actively installing barricades and signage in affected areas. Residents are asked to stay clear of these work zones and barricades, obey all closures, and avoid low-lying trails along the river.

Police Point Park and the Echo Dale Campground will stay open, aside from minor trail closures noted above. These spaces were previously closed during the initial implementation of high river flow precautions in early June, when the South Saskatchewan River flow rate reached a peak of 1,610 cubic metres per second. However, precautionary measures were more heavily implemented in anticipation of the first significant rise in the river level since 2013. After assessing the effects of this peak flow rate, closures have been reduced accordingly to properly balance resident safety and access.

Local creeks, including Seven Persons Creek and Ross Creek, remain stable. There is no anticipated risk to the Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater Treatment Plant, or pump stations.

River safety

Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services is also urging residents to stay off the South Saskatchewan River and away from riverbanks while these high-water conditions persist.

"Even if the river appears calm from the shore, conditions can change quickly and become extremely dangerous," said Douglas Gill, Deputy Chief – Operations, Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services. "Fast-moving water, underwater currents, debris, and unstable riverbanks can increase the risk of injury or drowning. The safest choice is to stay out of the river until conditions have improved.”

Residents are encouraged to avoid all recreational activities on or near the river, including boating, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, tubing, swimming and fishing from the shoreline while water levels remain high.

What’s next

The City continues to monitor conditions and is working in coordination with the Alberta River Forecasting Centre. Updates will be provided once the City confirms that river conditions have subsided enough to safely lift these closures.

For more information on river advisories, flow rates, and projections visit rivers.alberta.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact:
media@medicinehat.ca