By rdnewsNOW staff

Ice jam prompts voluntary evacuation notice west of Bowden

Apr 23, 2018 | 5:14 PM

UPDATE: 10 p.m.

Red Deer County officials say the ice jam on the Little Red Deer River at Hwy 587 has subsided and localized flooding in Silver Lagoon Subdivision and Red Lodge Estates has receded.

Highway 587 is now open. Red Deer County Operations staff will be monitoring water levels overnight. Overland flooding may still occur as river levels fluctuate.

Residents of Silver Lagoon are still under a voluntary evacuation notice, and Alberta Health Services has declared Boil Water Advisory for Silver Lagoon and Red Lodge Estates until further notice. The Reception Centre at Cottonwood Gordon Hall is now closed. Please contact 403.350.2150 with any concerns.

Please call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency.

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5 p.m.

Red Deer County officials are notifying residents west of Bowden of a voluntary evacuation order for the Silver Lagoon subdivision.

The order is in effect due to a substantial ice jam on the Little Red Deer River at Highway 587 that is causing localized flooding of roads and property.

A High Water Level alert for the area has also been issued.

Dave Brand, Director of Community and Protective Services for Red Deer County says they are notifying 30 residences in the Silver Lagoon and Red Lodge Estates areas of the situation.

Residents there are being asked to take immediate measures to protect life and property. It is recommended that people move to higher ground and be ready to evacuate, avoid rivers, valleys and low lying areas, follow the directions of local authorities and take all necessary precautions.

Residents located within 5km of flooded areas are advised to exercise caution with drinking water. Boil water as a cautionary measure.

Evacuees are encouraged to go to Cottonwood Gordon Hall (3005 Township Road 352) or another secure location away from the area. Sand bags are available at the Spruceview Fire Hall for affected residents.

Public Inquiry Line is 403.357.2381. Use 911 for emergencies.

Brand says the ice jam is “very susceptible” to the warmer weather we’re now experiencing along with “anything else” that might be coming down the Little Red Deer River.

He adds the county is working on a plan with Alberta Environment to break up the ice jam gradually in an attempt to control the release of backed up water.

Highway 587 is currently closed between Range Road 23 and Range Road 25 due to flooding caused by snow melt.

(Troy Gillard)