REGINA – Residents with lakefront property in the Qu’Appelle Valley were crossing their fingers Friday, hoping that water levels would stop rising.
On Pasqua and Echo Lakes, the levels were just 80 centimetres shy of 2011, when the area experienced significant flooding.
In the community of Bence Beach, some homes were already flooded in the lower levels, but their neighbours hadn’t started sandbagging yet.
That included the summer home of Barry Senft. This is his first spring on his lakefront property, and he said the water level is concerning.
It has already risen five feet, and is slowly edging closer to his house.
“Hopefully this is as high as it gets, hopefully there’s no more moisture, either snow or rain,” he said.
Senft added he will wait and see how things go over the weekend before clearing out his crawl space.
“We aren’t pushing the panic button just yet.”
The Water Security Agency said water levels will peak Friday at Pasqua and Echo Lakes, with the other lakes in the Qu’Appelle Valley chain peaking later this weekend.
The area’s emergency measures coordinator said they are prepared to deal with the rising water, and have flood mitigation barriers ready to go.
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“It’s a variation of water tubes, sandbags and Hesco mesh barriers,” said Dave Sabrish. “We have some pumps here available for free use to anyone that requires them.”
Those might be needed at Camp Luther Land if more melting occurs. As of Friday, the water sat just a few feet away from the dining hall.
Pastor Todd Guggenmos said the building flooded in 2011 and the camp’s executive does not want to be throwing money at a building too close to the lake.
“Instead of having to sandbag and try to save an already flooded building, it’s time to retreat to higher ground and put up a new building where we don’t have to worry about lake levels,” he said.
For now though, they remain vigilant, checking to see just how high the water has crept each day.
Even at its current level, Senft fears ice jams could do even more damage in the coming weeks.
“If we get a west wind coming in, with any kind of strength, the ice could raise havoc with boathouses and any infrastructure on the shores.”
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