The flooding devastation in June has brought about a number of questions from residents. I’d like to take the opportunity to shed some light on just a few of them.
Why Didn’t Chestermere Lake Flood?
Many people have asked and wondered why Chestermere Lake didn’t flood at the end of June when so many other communities that were close to bodies of water had flooding problems. The reason is a relatively simple one; Chestermere Lake isn’t really a lake at all, or at least not in the way you would typically think of one. It is, in fact, a water reservoir that is part of the Western Irrigation District’s canal system.
The lake levels are closely monitored by the Western Irrigation District, or WID, and have been since the lake was formed in 1906. The WID uses the lake for off stream storage from the Bow River during the summer, for crop irrigation, and then lowers it when the canals are drained during the winter. That’s why the water level in the lake rises in May and then drops in October.
When communities like Okotoks and High River were being impacted by the Bow River flooding, our Lake’s water was being diverted into the canal system further upstream without the same impact. The water in the canal and subsequently the lake are monitored by a WID ditch-rider who is responsible for the level and flow into the lake and surrounding canal system.
The Town and the WID have a good working relationship and were in constant communication to ensure that the Lake was not going to take on more water then it could handle. This is how Chestermere was able to be assured that our homes and community would be safe from the flooding that impacted so many of our neighbours. It gave us the chance to deploy our staff to aid with the clean-up of High River, Redwood Meadows and Canmore instead of having to clean up our own community.
What Has Chestermere Done?
Close to 1000 man hours have been committed so far to helping out communities that were devastated by flood damage and just over $10,000 was spent in providing some emergency necessities. Our Public Works department provided heavy trucks and a street sweeper to High River to help with the clean up from the damage, as well as the people to man them. Community Services provided workers and goods to the Emergency Reception Centre in Blackie, servicing High River victims and continues to do so at present.
They also worked with the new non-profit organization, Synergy, to co-ordinate volunteers for the centre. The Administration department had people on site in High River to help with evacuation and our Emergency Services department helped in Canmore, Redwood Meadows, Cochrane, Bragg Creek and High River. Finally our RCMP detachment members were everywhere that they were needed during the disaster and helped not only in checking houses for people while the flood waters were raging but also in traffic redirection and aiding those evacuated.
How Do We Help Now?
There is a new non-profit group in Chestermere called Synergy that is working with Community Services at the Town to co-ordinate donations, volunteers etc. You can check out opportunities at their website at www.truesynergy.ca. While the need has slowed down dramatically for emergency items, the cleanup is far from over. Check out the Synergy site for details.
I’m always proud to be a Chestermerian but when I hear from my municipal peers that they were thrilled to see Chestermere vehicles on the streets in High River or that everywhere they looked in the Reception Centre they saw someone helping from Chestermere or that our MLA slipped into High River unannounced and quietly worked with Chestermere volunteers to feed hungry workers, then my heart swells a little bit more.
I’d like to thank everyone in Town Hall, Council, Bruce McAllister and every other kind hearted person who took time out of their schedules to go and aid those affected. You did Chestermere proud and trust me, people noticed and are thankful for it!
