Levels in the Red Deer River and Rosebud River rose over the weekend due to an ice jam. Crews were called out at 8.30 PM on Saturday, March 18 to assist with trouble spots in the Rosedale and Wayne area. Public works staff carried out work to cover manhole covers and to protect the Rosedale lift station. Some homes by bridge number 1 on Highway 10X were flooded and have received assistance from the Town and utility companies to deal with the situation.

Crews were called out again in the early morning hours of Sunday to set up a sandbagging station located at the Public Works Shop.

An additional trouble spot this morning is the corner of Riverside Drive and 3rd Ave east. This was due to localized flooding caused by a storm sewer gate being frozen. The drain has been plugged and the situation is under control; however that area remains closed to traffic.

Although Highway 10X was temporarily closed, it is now open and Alberta Transportation have agreed to inspect all the bridges along the highway tomorrow.

The Town of Drumheller continues to actively monitor and work on trouble spots. There are a number of areas with localized flooding on roads and Town crews are working with the utility companies to deal with these situations.

The Fire Department, RCMP and Public Works staff, continue to monitor the trouble spots and river flows.

If residents feel that their property is in danger please call the Emergency Line 403 823 2512. Only these residents who require sandbags are invited to also call the Emergency Line to arrange help at the Public Works Shop which is located on 117 7th Ave SE.

The Town has contacted the Dickson Dam and they have advised their water levels are normal and they have no plans for releasing water. They also advised that Drumheller’s high water is a localized issue.

In high stream flow the river bank can become extremely unstable and residents should stay away from these areas including the pathways and trails alongside the river.

“Crews are working hard to deal with troubled areas and to monitor potential flooding situations. The Town of Drumheller will continue to provide updates on the website as we receive more information.” stated the Mayor Terry Yemen

Waters are subsiding this morning along the Rosebud River and the Red Deer River Sunday morning, but that was not before damaging a number of properties as the water rose Saturday and Sunday morning.
It was a harrowing Saturday afternoon for residents along the Wayne Road and into Rosedale as the Rosebud River pushed water and ice over the banks and into homes. Water covered Highway10X, just beyond the first bridge.

The Rosedale campground was submerged along with surrounding yards. It is unclear at this point how many homes were damaged.
While it appeared that the water was falling overnight, on Sunday morning, an ice jam in the Red Deer River cause water to rise again. Shortly before 10 a.m., the ice jam near Rosedale broke and the Rosebud and Red Deer Rivers in this area appear to be flowing.
Along the Red Deer River, the ice continues to cause concerns.

Mayor Terry Yemen says that the flooding is localized due to ice jams, and is not related to the management of the Dickson Dam.
The Town has been monitoring the waterways from strategic locations in order to keep tabs on its flow and levels.
Emergency services are asking people, for their own safety, to keep clear of the Red Deer River and its tributaries.