Water Security Agency warns of possible flooding in southeast Sask.

The snow that has fallen in southeastern Saskatchewan in the past two weeks has knocked out power to thousands, affected the operations of ranchers in the area, and left highways treacherous or impassable altogether.

Now, as that snow melts, it could cause another problem.

On Wednesday, the Water Security Agency (WSA) said there’s a potential for flooding in the extreme southeast corner of the province late this week and into next week.

(Water Security Agency/Submitted)

“Warmer temperatures and rainfall forecast for the area later this week may result in a rapid melt of this snowpack that could produce high flows and localized overland flooding in the area,” the agency said in a media release.

“WSA operates several control structures in the area that would be used to help reduce flows on the Souris River and divert water into major reservoirs at Rafferty, Boundary and Grant Devine. These reservoirs all have additional storage capacity.”

The WSA said the main area of concern covers regions from the Trans-Canada Highway south to the border with the United States and from Highway 47 east to the Manitoba border.

Waterways that could be affected include Pipestone Creek, Moose Mountain Creek, Short Creek and the Antler River and its tributaries, including Gainsborough, Lightning, Jackson and Graham creeks.

The WSA is advising people to stay away from fast-moving water, to avoid crossing waters of unknown depths, and to move personal property to higher ground if possible to avoid its loss.