What to Do When the River is High
Each year, spring runoff increases the height of the North Saskatchewan River. Heavy rains during this time can substantially increase the flood risk to Edmonton neighbourhoods and homes located in the river valley.
Rising River and Flood Warnings
In Edmonton the river usually crests in mid to late June due to snow melt in the Rocky Mountains. It takes about 40 hours for high river flow there to arrive in Edmonton. There are several ways you can stay informed about river conditions and the potential flood risk.
- Listen to media news reports.
- Sign up for the City’s social media feeds.
- Twitter: @CityofEdmonton
- Facebook: facebook.com/cityofedmonton
- Join the email notification list for Cloverdale, Riverdale and Rossdale. If you are not already on the list, send your contact information to Michelle.Kauffman@edmonton.ca
- Watch for street signs. Street signs will be posted notifying neighbourhoods of high river levels and, where applicable, when flood gates are closed.
- Check the City’s website.
- Sign up for Alberta Rivers: Data and Advisories app. It has the latest information about Alberta's rivers, including flood advisories and comments issued by Alberta's River Forecast Centre. http://www.programs.alberta.ca
- Sign up for Alberta Emergency Alerts. In a disaster or emergency, the City of Edmonton will use Alberta Emergency Alerts as a notification tool. To sign up for alerts, go to http://www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca
Take Precautions
If the City of Edmonton or Province of Alberta issues an alert or warning for Edmonton regarding rising river conditions, take these steps to protect your safety and your property.
- Stay away from the river bank.
- Move valuables out of the basement or an underground garage to a higher elevation.
- Park vehicles away from street depressions and the flood plain portion of the neighbourhood.
- Minimize water use inside your house. If the system is overloaded, water you flush or drain will have nowhere to go.
- Clear street catchbasins of debris if safe to do so. Otherwise, call 311.
Report a Problem
If you are experiencing or witnessing drainage issues on your property or on the street, call 311 and report it. Utility Services may not be able to respond right away because of other priority demands but it’s valuable for the City to know what is happening, when it happens.
For More Information
Utility Services
General Information
| Telephone |
311 |
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