Officials in Deer Lake are keeping a watchful and hopeful eye on the rising waters of the Upper Humber River today.
This past weekend’s rainstorm and substantial snowmelt has not only led to a rise in the river’s water levels, but has also sent a large amount of ice and debris downstream.
At the mouth of the Upper Humber River, where it empties into Deer Lake, there is an island that separates the flow into two channels. Ice and debris have begun collecting on the eastern side of the island in particular, causing rafting of ice and the already high water to begin backing up into the river.
Adding to the problem is the wind, a northeasterly breeze at nearly 20 kilometres per hour as of late Tuesday morning, keeping the ice nestled into the mouth of the river.
Mayor Dean Ball said the town, provincial government officials and the police are monitoring the situation and have warned people who own riverside property in the area that the rising water may jeopardize their properties if it doesn’t recede.
The Town of Deer Lake has issued notices to its residents to stay off the bridges in the area, along with any wharf structures and other areas close to the riverbank until further notice.
Two sections of the town’s walking trails, specifically the sections that run along the Humber River, have been closed due to flooding. Bridge structures on the trail section between Route 430 and Deer Lake Regional Airport are under water and the trail is not deemed safe for use.
Barricades have been placed at either end of the trails and residents are urged to stay off the trails until further notice.
