Released on November 24, 2010
In response to a high risk of flooding at Fishing Lake, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will initiate a number of emergency actions to reduce the risk of flooding at Fishing Lake and area communities in 2011.
Emergency work at Fishing Lake includes constructing a channel to hasten the removal of water out of Fishing Lake, raising low areas on berms and preparing to sand bag where necessary. The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will also assist Fishing Lake First Nation to ensure their facilities are safe.
"Fishing Lake is at the highest recorded fall level ever and the watershed is going into freeze up very wet," Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Dustin Duncan said. "Without these works, communities face a high risk of flooding next spring. These emergency measures will significantly reduce the risk of spring flooding, while aiding in long-term flood protection and supporting future development and growth in the communities affected."
Channel improvements below Fishing Lake will be constructed on an emergency basis with mitigation of any environmental impacts. The channel will be constructed downstream of Hazel Lake to Newburn Lake with a rock weir below each of Hazel, Whitesand and Dog Lakes to maintain natural spill levels. The channel will hasten flow of floodwater from the lake and reduce water levels before the spring flood. The channel, along with the berms, will also provide long term flood protection for the communities and help alleviate downstream flooding of farm and pasture lands.
"We are going to be under extremely tight time lines to work with local government and landowners, secure necessary approvals and construct the works," Duncan said. "However, we believe this work is absolutely essential if we are going to try and avoid incurring millions of dollars of damage as occurred in 2007."
Construction of the channel will start in early January, dependent on the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority receiving environmental approvals and permits from the Ministry of Environment and Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority has initiated consultations with the Fishing Lake First Nation on the project and incorporated suggestions from Fishing Lake First Nation into the design. These consultations will continue. Much of the channel will be constructed on Crown Land but some portions will cross private land. Watershed Authority is initiating discussions with landowners to determine their issues and secure the right of way.
For more information, see the attached backgrounder. Information and updates will also be posted on Saskatchewan Watershed Authority website at www.swa.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Jim Waggoner
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Yorkton
Phone: 306-786-1490