With snow piled up throughout the province, the provincial government is making clear it is preparing for what could be a difficult spring melt.
Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter, also minister responsible for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program, told the News-Optimist last Tuesday that the province has set aside funds specifically for flood relief.
"With the extreme amount of snowfall this year we're concerned about the potential for some flooding," said Reiter.
"There's $182 million set aside from the Growth And Financial Security Fund in case it's needed," Reiter said. "It won't be used for any other projects until we see the impact of flooding this spring."
As well, Reiter said preparatory work is underway. He said his ministry has been around the province, talking to municipalities and helping them prepare. The province's Water Security Agency has also had a number of meetings.
"In the event we are called in to assist, we've got a lot of equipment on hand - the type of equipment that you'd expect," said Reiter, describing sandbags, generators, and pumps as examples.
The province enters this potential 2013 melt threat with the experience of dealing with the flooding in 2011.
"A lot of snow built up and on top of that some areas were really hit hard with spring rains," said Reiter.
"Of course it's the weather. A lot of things can have an impact on it - how fast the melt is and how much rain we get in the spring, but we want to be as prepared as possible so that's why we're doing this."
Already the Water Security Agency has indicated the potential is high for above average runoff. In their March 5 forecast, North Battleford was one of the cities identified as having potential for a "very high runoff".
The rural areas around North Battleford were forecast for a runoff "well above normal" while an area between Saskatoon and Prince Albert is being forecast as very high.
That forecast, however, was before the blizzard across Saskatchewan March 20 and 21 that dumped even more snow across the province.
Soon after Reiter spoke to the News-Optimist, the province announced March 27 that a special cabinet committee was being appointed to oversee the preparations and response to potential flooding.
Reiter chairs that new committee, which will also include Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff, Highways And Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris and Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart.
The Ministry of Government Relations says municipalities should contact them if they need help. Water Security Agency officials are also available for technical advice and will be posting daily updates and forecasts.
As well, water levels have been lowered at the Rafferty and Alameda reservoirs in preparation for the spring runoff.
