West Central Alberta farmers are being advised to take precautionary steps in preparing for the possibility of flooding this spring.
According to Kenda Lubeck, farm safety coordinator with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, there are a number of things farmers can do to help reduce potential flood damage.
This includes removing used chemical containers from dugout banks, mounding surfaces around water wells and making sure manure piles are clear of runoff areas.
Flood waters could seep into well casings and contaminate well water, so reserving enough potable water for humans and animals – until the affected wells can be shock chlorinated – is also recommended.
“As part of being prepared, farmers should identify high elevation areas on their property where they could relocate or store animals, valuable property or any potential hazards that are portable,” said Lubeck.
She also advises farmers to inspect dams or canals on their properties annually.
“If the soil at the base of a dam is saturated, this may indicate that the dam could collapse in the event that any additional water or other such pressure is added,” she said.
“In some cases it may be valuable to engineer a spillway in the dam or canal to alleviate pressure and minimize the risk of losing the entire system.”
Creating a rural emergency plan is also recommended. The plan would include locations of hazardous substances, emergency equipment supplies, water runoff information, emergency phone numbers and checklists.
For more information on how to prepare a plan, visit www.agriculture.alberta.ca/farmsafety.
A press release from the Alberta government on March 27 outlines ways homeowners can prepare for the possibility of flooding this spring.
“We all need to do what we can to make sure our homes, families and communities are prepared in case of any future flooding. As a government we will do our part to ensure effective mitigation is implemented, but it's also important for Albertans to protect themselves and their properties from flooding,” Ken Hughes, minister of Municipal Affairs, said in the release.
Homeowners can reduce flood damage by redirecting storm water away from their properties and putting weather protection sealant around basement windows.
Homeowners are also advised to install a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains, and store important documents upstairs.
When a flood warning is issued, homeowners should turn off electrical power, unless water is already present.
Other ways to reduce damage during a flood include turning off basement furnaces and outside gas valves, moving furniture and electrical appliances upstairs, and removing toxic substances from the flood area to prevent pollution.
The floods across southern Alberta in June last year affected more than 100,000 Albertans in at least 30 communities.
The provincial government has allocated $216 million for the Flood Recovery Erosion Control Program. The program provides funding to address immediate repairs, but also includes long-term mitigation projects.
