Flood expected to last weeks more in Swift Current

By Hayden Michaels

Swift Current is still under a declaration of emergency as the flood continues in Swift Current Creek.

Swift Current Creek has been breaching its banks for a week due to the rapidly melting snowpack in southwest Saskatchewan. This has stirred city crews to action, setting up sandbags and closing down roads and pathways near the lower-lying areas.

Swift Current Fire Chief Ryan Hunter is in charge of the flood response. He has been hard at work directing the efforts around the city and co-ordinating with the Duncairn Dam on measured water releases.

City crews filling sandbags. (Hayden Michaels/Swift Current Online)

“As stated previously, many factors contribute to the rise and fall of the creek waters,” stated Hunter in an official release, “and we still have a way to go before we are in the clear.

“However, the Water Security Agency helped the City of Swift Current for the last few days by holding back water release from the Dam as we took in a lot of water from other tributaries going into the Swift Current Creek. Now, they are in the position where they have to strategically release water throughout the next 10 to 14 days while navigating their inflow from the run-off coming from the Cypress Hills Region, along with anticipated precipitation.”

To clarify, the flood will continue over the next two weeks, with water levels expected to rise and fall. The flood will see more snow melting as the weather heats up, contributing again to the creek system.

While they continue to maintain a stark watch on the water and are ready to dispatch more barriers, and can even begin evacuating folks should the need arise; Hunter pushes people to exercise all caution.

“The fast-moving water and the currents that it creates can overwhelm adults, and certainly children, immediately,” said Hunter. “Once they enter, the chance of being pulled under increases exponentially. Again, avoid the creek and keep children and pets far from the creek body.”