Water levels at Sandy Bay are expected to peak today. The level of the Churchill River at the community is half a metre higher than it's ever been before.
The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) put the river's elevation at 10.13 metres August 4, just before the river's forecasted peak of 10.15 metres. According to a report by the WSA August 4, outflows at the Whitesand Dam further upstream have been reduced, offsetting high amounts of water coming toward Sandy Bay, Pukatawagan and other communities along the river system.
The WSA has listed the expected date where water levels may peak as August 4, but levels have remained similar August 5.
Dry weather as of late has reduced the possible peak of the river, with less than five millimetres of rain reported since July 28 in the Sandy Bay area and less further up the river system.
The WSA anticipates high water levels throughout northern Saskatchewan for the rest of the summer and even into the fall or winter for some areas of the Churchill River system.
About 2,400 cubic metres per second of water is rushing through the river at Sandy Bay - nearly 900 cubic metres per second more than normal.
Flood warnings through the Manitoba Hydrological Forecast Centre are still in place for communities along the Churchill River system, including Sandy Bay, Pukatawagan, Granville Lake and Leaf Rapids. Flood warnings are also in effect for The Pas and Cormorant.
