NORTH BATTLEFORD – The city of North Battleford has been the latest to receive a deluge of water making its way down the North Saskatchewan River from Alberta.
Last night, city officials announced the river level had peaked and was receding in the North Battleford area, but it’s still high and fast.
The river was expected to reach flows of 3,000 cubic meters per second, six times faster than normal.
Flooding down the Battlefords River Valley forced a closure of one of the city’s two water treatment plants.
Water from the river did reach a barricade constructed around Water Treatment Plant No. 1., however there was no concern or threat to the plant as of Wednesday night.
Water Treatment Plant No. 1 supplies around 70 per cent of the city’s water and ceased operation on Tuesday as a precaution. The road to the plant was completely flooded in water at least 5 feet deep.
The F.E. Holliday Water Treatment Plant continues to supply quality water, however an outdoor watering ban is still in effect.
“Just so that we have sufficient supply to meet emergency demand such as the possibility of a fire or something we’re just asking the public to be cautious and aware that we only have one source of water right now,” said Mayor Ian Hamilton.
Another concern was for the low-lying Battlefords District Care Centre, but they too were prepared, laying 7,000 sandbags.
The city continues to encourage residents to stay away from the river or any other flooded area within the Battlefords River Valley.
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