Floodwaters ease near Prince Albert, but officials warn risk remains as hundreds stay evacuated 

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The Canadian Red Cross is supporting about 485 Red Earth Cree Nation members in Prince Albert, PAGC said. Meanwhile in Saskatoon, the Red Cross is supporting about 150 more Red Earth Cree Nation members, along with 185 Shoal Lake Cree Nation members. 

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PAGC noted the numbers may change day-to-day as registration continues and families make arrangements. PAGC estimates about 1,600 people live in the Red Earth community and about 900 in Shoal Lake. 

Earlier evacuations prioritized people requiring immediate medical support, Elders, prenatal and postnatal members, and other high-risk community members, according to PAGC. 

“We are encouraged that levels are coming down in some areas, but we are not standing down,” Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said in a statement.

“Our people are away from their homes, their communities, and their families. That weighs heavily on all of us. We will be here — monitoring, communicating and making sure every evacuated member has what they need until it is safe to return.” 

Carrot River trending downward after record-breaking peak 

The Water Security Agency (WSA) said the Carrot River near Smoky Burn is trending downward after reaching a historic peak earlier this week. 

A flooded fire hydrant. (Image Credit: submitted/Tina Pelletier)

At 10 a.m. Thursday, flow was measured at 770 cubic metres per second, down from the May 5 peak of 1,005 cubic metres per second. The peak exceeded the previous station record of 816 cubic metres per second, set in 1972, WSA said. Water levels have dropped about 70 centimetres from the peak. 

WSA cautioned that snowpack remains in the basin — particularly on the north slopes of the Pasquia Hills — and warmer temperatures could trigger additional runoff. While levels could rise again, WSA said current data does not suggest the river will exceed the earlier peak. 

Other waterways also receding, with some uncertainty 

WSA reported the Sturgeon River near Prince Albert is also declining. A manual measurement Wednesday recorded 105 cubic metres per second, and by Thursday morning the flow was about 94 cubic metres per second — roughly 20 centimetres below the May 5 peak. WSA said flows could increase again with warmer weather. 

WSA also said Shell Brook near Shellbrook peaked May 3 at 29.75 cubic metres per second. Flow had fallen to 11 cubic metres per second by Thursday morning, down about 49 centimetres from the peak. 

Anglin Lake, which affects Little Red River First Nation, sat at 515.41 metres Thursday morning — just below its full supply level of 515.42 metres. WSA said it expects the lake to reach and exceed full supply level by the end of the day and will reassess operations Friday. Upstream snowpack means inflows may continue to rise. 

Safety warning remains in place 

Officials urged residents to stay away from flooded areas, noting high water, strong currents, soft shoulders, washed-out roads and unstable banks can remain dangerous. PAGC said people should respect road closures, keep children away from water and heavy equipment, and follow notices from Chief and Council, local emergency management teams and PAGC communications channels. 

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panews@pattisonmedia.com