Sask. agriculture minister gets first-hand look at flooding

REGINA — Saskatchewan agriculture minister David Marit toured flooded parts of the province this week and met with rural municipal officials concerned about infrastructure.

He went to Buchanan, the Quill Lakes, Wynyard, Tisdale and Melfort and said he would return to the region Friday and Saturday for another look.

“We had some good discussions about the flows of water and some things that probably could be done better, but they’ve just never seen this quick a melt this fast. I think that’s the issue,” he said May 5.

Water Security Agency issued a high flow advisory April 28 for a large area, and by last weekend elevated flows were reported in the Quill Lakes Basin, the Carrot River headwaters and parts of the Assiniboine River system. The agency is urging caution around water in these regions.

The Assiniboine River through Kamsack was flowing at 240 cubic metres per second earlier this week. That compares to the South Saskatchewan River flowing through Saskatoon last July at 80 m3/sec.

Marit said municipalities are worried about their bridge and road infrastructure and how to activate the Prairie Disaster Assistance Program if necessary.

He said he was encouraged at the level of collaboration among municipalities as they deal with water management, especially in the Lake Lenore and Carrot River headwaters area.

“What I really loved in the room today is a municipality that was all anxious to get rid of their water, and have now seen how it’s impacting downstream, and they’re saying, ‘you know what, we’ve got to find ways to control and manage this water better,’ ” he said.

Farmers know seeding will be delayed, but most are still expecting to be able to get on the land this month, he added.