Constant rainfall is steadily filling East Kootenay creeks and rivers, creating concern and action by regional authorities, including the declaration of Local States of Emergency in Fairmont Hot Springs and Dutch Creek.

An evacuation order has also been issued for the HooDoos Resort Campground and a few homes along the highway near the resort.

“Dutch Creek has been rising all day and this afternoon, it started rapidly rising,” says Columbia Valley Emergency Program Information Officer Loree Duczek. “The water has eroded the bank between the creek and the campground and is now flowing through the site. The land in this area is very flat, so the evacuation order encompasses a few homes adjacent to the highway in that area.”

RCMP will be expediting the evacuation and most of the campers within the campground are already in the process of packing up and preparing to leave.

A reception centre has been set up at the Windermere Community Hall for evacuees.

A request was submitted earlier today for rip rap to help provide a berm and bank stabilization in that area; however, the Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre has not yet advised if the request will be approved.

The situation in Fairmont Hot Springs remains unchanged, with the water in Fairmont Creek holding within the channel, and work continuing on Cold Spring Creek to remove debris and redirect the water back into the creek channel after it escaped again this afternoon.

The Regional District of East Kootenay has declared a State of Local Emergency in the Dutch Creek area as well as in Fairmont Hot Springs as a precautionary measure.

The force of the water coming out of Dutch Creek is creating a hydrological dam and heavy siltation is filling the north end of the lake.

Elsewhere, watercourses continue to rage, including the Kootenay River, which is threatening a railway bridge near Skookumchuck and is about one foot from the top of the river bank along Highway 93/95.

East of Sparwood, Michel Creek is threatening Highway 3, with some undercutting currently occurring. Traffic is moving single lane and there is fear the highway may be closed if rain continues to pour down.

E-KNOW has heard a report of Coal Mountain Mine workers being ferried to and from work by helicopter due to bad conditions along the road.

At Elkford, the Fording Coal Mine road has experienced some flooding and washouts and the Elk River and Boivin Creek are raging.

In Kimberley, Mark Creek is in full gallop, causing city officials to close the Marysville Falls walkway.

At Invermere, Toby Creek is powering into the Columbia River, also creating some backup into Lake Windermere. Water is hammering into the western bank of the powerful creek at the Toby Creek Bridge, with seepage percolating out on the eastern side of the road leading to the bridge.

Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park is closed due to numerous slides and engorged waterways, and the Trans-Canada Highway is closed at Canmore, Alta.

States of emergency have been called for numerous Southern Alberta communities, including Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge and Calgary. High River is badly flooded.

The forecast is calling for continued rainfall throughout this evening and tomorrow, though with less accumulation than in the past 24 hours. To report a flood, contact 1-800-663-3456.

Lead image: Regional officials record the water level of Dutch Creek at the Highway 93/95 Hoodoos Bridge. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

e-KNOW/RDEK

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