The flood waters continue to wash up on the banks of the Swift Current Creek. 

But they might not be doing that for much longer as the waters have begun to recede to normal levels. 

Patrick Boyle, a spokesperson for the Water Security Agency, has been working with the Duncairn Dam on releasing water at safe levels and has seen how the dam has started to fill up more slowly. 

"Flooding in Swift Current and Swift Current Creek has tapered off since last week," said Boyle. "So while there's still some runoff expected higher up in that basin with the forecasted weather and the precipitation, it's not anticipated to cause any further increase or risk of flooding."

spillwayThe Duncairn Dam Spillway releasing water into the creek.

As the dam fills up slower, so to does the creek system feeding the Swift Current Creek. The water levels raging through the city have begun to calm due to the snowpack finishing up its melt and the arriving precipitation being small amounts of snow. When it comes as snow, it releases the liquid slowly, giving the ground time to absorb it. 

When the snowpack melted all at once in the heat wave a week and a half ago, reservoirs like Reid Lake were maxed out.

"Reid Lake is currently at 807.6 meters, which is about 12 centimetres below the full supply level," shared Boyle. "So that continued to drop over the past few days, allowing for some of the reductions in outflows at Duncairn Dam."

The Duncairn Dam will continue to release water at a reduced rate. This will allow the water in Swift Current Creek to flow out faster than it's being replenished, lowering the level to more stable norms. 

Still, the flood isn't over till it's over. Folks should still remain vigilant for any unexpected water increases and be ready to evacuate until such a time as the local emergency has been lifted. 

Everyone should be staying clear of the creek waters. The current is still ripping through the city, making the risk of drowning even greater than usual. There is simply no good reason to approach the creek bank or to enter the water.