The Sheep River remains on flood watch as its water level rises due to the high amount of rainfall.
The Town of Okotoks is advising people to stay away from Sheep River Park and all pathways adjacent to the river because it is high and fast-flowing and dangerous debris could become unstable.
Andrew Basha from Environment Canada, who was monitoring the Sheep River’s volume levels on Friday morning said, “I wasn’t expecting it to be this bad when it started raining. I definitely didn’t think we would be coming out here, but we’re just keeping an eye on it.”
According to the Environment Canada website, there was more than 50 millimeters of rain in the Kananaskis and Okotoks areas since Thursday morning. Most other areas in Southern Alberta received 30 millimeters of rain yesterday.
The forecast indicates the rain will begin to taper off tonight while Saturday will be a mix of sun and cloud with chance of a thunderstorm and Sunday will be sunny with no rain.
Okotoks experienced most of its major flooding overnight last night in the low-lying areas of the Sheep River.
The Lions Campground was evacuated Thursday evening as the river began to flood over the pathways and into the playground and campsites.
The Town is also advising residents living adjacent to the Sheep River, in the South Railway and Riverside areas, to continue to take appropriate precautionary measures such as moving valuables to a higher level.
“I don’t think it will be as bad as the 2005 flood. I don’t think the rain will keep up like this, so I don’t think people should be worried about it getting any worse,” said Basha.
The Town has brought in pumps to try and divert as much water as possible. Hundreds of sandbags are also at the ready as a precautionary measure.
For more information and updates on the Sheep River please visit www.okotoks.ca.
The MD of Foothills declared a state of emergency on Friday morning as a flood warning was issued for the Highwood River, which continues to rise. A flood watch has been issued for the Sheep River and Threepoint Creek.
The flooding has also impacted numerous roads in the MD:
ROAD CLOSURES:
Highway #549 is closed west of Highway #22 at Millarville
Highway #22 is still open, but water is flowing over the road and it may be closed at any time
40th Street East, north of 2538 Drive (flooded)
160 Street West, south of 658 Avenue (bridge abutments washed out)
256 Street West, north of 290 Avenue (culvert washed out, impassable)
Home Oil Road, 2338 Drive West north of 336 Street West (bridge washed out)
Barricades are located at 49 Street, 48 Street and 40 Street off of River Road just outside of High River.
SANDBAGS:
Anyone with sandbag requests or inquiries are to call the Aldersyde Public Works shop at 403-652-2390.
EVACUATIONS:
Nature’s Hideaway Campground, located along the Highwood River east of Okotoks has been evacuated. Other campgrounds in the area have been alerted to the rising water conditions.
