The Town of Peace River is in cleanup mode today after Pat’s Creek overflowed into its downtown last night.
Mayor Tom Tarvey says water levels have receded, although there’s still standing water in some areas.
“Although we are still monitoring Pat’s Creek to make sure it doesn’t block up again and overflow, we’re fairly confident we have that situation under control and we’ve already started cleanup effort.”
The creek, which runs through downtown, used to flood regularly, but around 35 years ago a culvert was built under the town to divert it.
Tarvey suspects with the fluctuating temperatures recently, ice built up in the culvert, creating some blockages.
“Water built up behind it, and then with the build up of water that blew off an inspection port for this Pat’s Creek culvert and the water ended up overflowing out of this inspection port.”
The dyke that separates the town from the main part of the Peace River was breached to allow overflow waters to escape.
It will remain open until levels are safe again, and then fill it back in before the Peace River itself breaks up.