Alberta flood watches grip province as rivers peak

Flood watches and warnings remain in place across central and southern Alberta as the heaviest rainfall of recent weeks tapers off and water levels begin to crest.

The Bow River and Elbow River basins saw accumulations of up to 150 millimetres in less than 24 hours, according to Calgary's environmental management division. In Calgary, a high streamflow advisory was issued for the Bow River while a flood watch was put in place for the Elbow River. For the first time, water was allowed to flow into the Springbank off-stream reservoir, a facility constructed west of Calgary at a cost of more than $800 million following the devastating 2013 flood.

Water temperatures have dropped to about 12°C with strong currents full of debris — a hazard that extends beyond the rivers themselves. High winds accompanying the rainfall have pushed branches and trees into waterways, creating additional dangers for anyone near the banks. The current can push people toward "sweepers" — submerged objects like fallen trees that can pin a person underwater, making escape extremely difficult.

In Akenside, a rural residential area in Strathcona County east of Edmonton, about 60 millimetres of rain fell between Friday night and Monday morning. The deluge washed out a bridge crossing Oldman Creek after beaver dams blocked a culvert, causing backed-up water to build pressure until the infrastructure failed. Residents watched the creek rise at least two metres higher than usual before hearing trees crumble and discovering the bridge was gone the next morning.

Calgary Fire Department warned residents and pets to stay away from riverbanks during the ongoing runoff.