Released on November 7, 2002
Operations to lower water levels along the Qu'Appelle lakes will begintoday. The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority has requested the Prairie Farm
Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) to operate control structures at Round
Lake and Crooked Lake. Operation of the structures will significantly
reduce the risk of flooding next spring.
An agreement between the federal government and several Qu'Appelle Valley
area First Nations will permit PFRA to operate the structures in
conjunction with the First Nations. The structures are operated at the
request of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority.
As in past years, water levels will be lowered in Echo Lake, Pasqua Lake,
Crooked Lake and Round Lake, between 0.6 and 1.0 metres below current
levels. Mission Lake and Katepwa Lake will rise slightly but will remain
largely unaffected.
Operations will begin today, resulting in a gradual increase in water
levels downstream over the next week, gradually returning to normal levels
beginning in about four weeks. Downstream from Katepwa, water levels are
expected to rise by approximately 0.5 metres. Downstream from Crooked Lake
and Round Lake, water levels will rise by approximately 1.5 metres.
The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority does not anticipate flooding of low
lying lands as a result of these operations, although low level crossings
may be temporarily affected. Residents are advised to move cattle, bales
and equipment from areas immediately adjacent to the Qu'Appelle River.
Residents who depend on low lying crossings are advised to make any
necessary arrangements.
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For more information contact:
Wayne Dybvig Trevor Sutter
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Moose Jaw Regina
Phone: (306) 694-3950 Phone: (306) 780-6429