Alberta Flood - June 21, 2013

Flood conditions in southern Alberta are drastic.  Clark and I went to Calgary on June 20th and noticed that the Sheep and Highwood Rivers south of Calgary were dirty and rapid but well below their banks. 

We spent the day in Calgary and headed home about 3:30 p.m.  We tuned into the local radio station and were alerted about flooding in communities south of Calgary.  We were shocked to see both of the rivers above their banks.  The community of 7000 High River residents were under mandatory evacuation.  The flood surge was upon the town before people could escape.  People were on rooftops waiting for rescue. 

people being rescued by combine in High River

Other flooding was reported in Canmore where properties were being swept away by a rain swollen creek.

Highway 1, the trans Canada highway was closed due to flooding and landslides.

 

 

West of Calgary communities of Bragg Creek, Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Longview and others were being inundated by flood waters. 

 

Downtown Calgary was flooded when the Elbow and Bow rivers breached their banks.

 

downtown Calgary



100,000 people were evacuated from housing areas affected by the flood waters in Calgary.

The water in our neck of the woods crested sometime on the night of the 20th but not before taking out a train bridge in downtown Blairmore.  Repair crews were on hand today trying to rectify the damage.

We drove around today to see some of the water situation.  We walked down to Pincher Creek and although the water was fast and dirty it didn't look like it was on the rise.

We next drove to Oldman Dam and surveyed the water being released from the dam.  We were told that the surge of water would hit Lethbridge east of Pincher Creek around 2 p.m. today, June 21st.

all six gates are open to relieve water in the Oldman Dam reservoir



part of the bridge washed out by the surge of water released from the dam

a fire pit tossed upon a picnic table by flood waters -
the water was four feet up the tree at its highest

West of Pincher Creek, just off Highway 3 and on the Crownest River is Lundbreck Falls.  We have seen this river at spring runoff time before but nothing like this.

There seems to be abnormal weather all over this year.  We have had our share of cold, dreary weather and once this rain has passed we are sure hoping for some nicer, sunnier climes.

Unfortunately with this disaster, the homeowners once allowed back into their homes are in for a long cleanup and rebuild.

I hope wherever you live that the weather is treating you kindly :)

Birds of Prey Nature Center

We traveled to Coaldale, Alberta and joined the grade one class for their year end outing at the Birds of Prey Nature Center.

It was an interesting tour learning about the center and the birds.  The birds arrived at the center after being injured in nature.  Some of the birds can be released back into the wild but some bird's injuries are such that they would only fall victim to predators if released.

When we went to pay for our entry, a burrowing owl was sitting on a perch at the desk.

And on the floor beside the desk were 2, two month old barn owl babies. 

two month old Barn Owls

Our guide first introduced us to a Harris hawk which is native to the southern States. 

Harris Hawk

 

The Harris hawk is very smart and very easily trained.  In winter they are kept in an indoor facility.

 

 

Next we went to the owl exhibit.

 

Great Horned Owl

adult Barn Owl

Burrowing or Ground Owl live and nest in badger holes

 

Owl's eyes don't shift like ours but they can turn their heads almost completely around searching for prey.

 

Next came the eagle display and these are big birds.

 

Bald Eagle



this is the largest eagle

 

Some of the birds were in cages because of injuries sustained in the wild.  They were being kept quiet so they could heal.

 

Merlin Falcon

Great Gray Owl

Snowy Owl hiding behind a log

We were also shown a turkey vulture which we learnt is native to Alberta.  I have never seen one in the wild except in Texas.

 

Turkey Vulture

The kids had a great time learning about these birds and getting to see them up close.  They even got to touch a couple of the owls to see how soft their feathers were.

 

And lastly the students got to feed the ducks.  The kids were swarmed by the ducks waiting for the food. 

 

 

 All in all it was a fun outing and enjoyed by all.

 

The nature center's website is www.burrowingowl.com.  Learn more by going on line and seeing what the center has to offer.

 



Three Hills, Alberta

After visiting with family and friends in Rocky Mountain House, Edmonton and Red Deer we moved over to Three Hills recreational park.  We discovered that a Show and Shine was scheduled for the weekend we were there and it was fun to walk down the length of main street and view so many entries. This is a great weekend for Three Hills and has become known about far and wide. If you want to learn a bit more about it, here is the website address - www.threehillscruise.ca . Check out this year's festivities and maybe next year if you come this way you can partake of some of the events.



mural on the side of a building that depicts main street 1939

 

There were lots of enthusiasts viewing cars on display on main street and there were equally as many cars being driven around town.  There were vendor booths and food booths doing a booming business.  Thank goodness the day was sunny because there was nothing but rain before and there has been nothing but rain afterwards.

Today even with it raining we ventured into the countryside.  We drove by Swalwell reservoir and saw a family of Canadian Geese on the dam.  Lots of blackbirds in the cattails and trees.

yellow headed blackbird