Released on June 27, 2013
Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure and Water Security Agency are taking steps to accelerate pumping on a flooded section of Highway 2 south of Prince Albert.
“Without the recent heavy rainfall, we could have had the highway reopened by now with the pumping that’s been done to date,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said. “Rest assured, the ministry and the Water Security Agency will take all reasonable steps to reopen the highway as soon as possible and we are very appreciative of the assistance we’re getting from the RM.”
Highway 2 has been under water since May 2 and closed since May 5 due to overland flooding. Pumping began in early June and, to date, the water level is down about 20 inches.
The flooding has occurred in an area that has no natural drainage. In addition, water levels in flooded, low-lying areas have risen to a point where a number of these depressions have joined together, effectively creating a lake. Altogether, about 52 million gallons of water needs to be pumped.
“Moving the water out of this area is a top priority for the Water Security Agency and we certainly understand the frustration in the community,” Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency Ken Cheveldayoff said. “We’ve brought in two extra pumps and are working hard to move 52 million gallons of water without impacting other landowners downstream.”
To accelerate the process and reopen the highway, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is installing two temporary, water-filled dams and constructing an earth berm. These measures will prevent water from adjacent flooded areas from flowing into the highway right of way, effectively reducing the amount of water that needs to be pumped. Once water levels have receded enough to allow the highway to reopen, these adjacent areas will then be drained.
“This has been a long and difficult time for a number of landowners but this is a positive step toward the recovery phase,” RM of Prince Albert Reeve Norma Sheldon said. “We are making some progress with pumping and are hopeful we can have this water moved soon. The RM of Prince Albert is also monitoring McFarlene Creek carefully to negate any negative impacts to homes and infrastructure as we move the water.”
Due to the drawdown of water levels from the initial flood, the pumps are being moved to be able to continue to reduce the water in the most critical areas. The rain in the area over the past few weeks has significantly increased the amount of water that needs to be pumped, preventing the highway from reopening.
The provincial government is investing $250,000 to pump water from Highway 2 and the surrounding area.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Email: doug.wakabayashi@gov.sk.ca