With the water levels are raised along the Swift Current Creek with this year’s melt, people in Swift Current will be under a local state of emergency for some time yet.
Last night, Swift Current Fire Chief Ryan Hunter said the provincial Water Security Agency (WSA) helped by withholding water from the Duncairn Dam.
Now, he said the WSA are going to strategically release water in the next 10 to 14 days while navigating the in from from the runoff coming from the Cypress Hills region, along with anticipated precipitation. The state of emergency is expected to remain in place during that period.
Some streets have been closed to traffic along the creek and will remain closed.
Swift Current is advising people in low lying areas along the creek to ensure they have a 72-hour emergency kit or a to-go bag ready if they have to evacuate on a short notice.
Hunter said the entire creek bank is soft and potentially unstable, and always has the possibility of suddenly giving away. The city advises people to keep pets and children away from the creek.
