The River

Spring melt water cuts a channel across the field and into the ditch which runs close to our fence line. It seemed to run stronger and longer than in previous years so some investigation was warranted.

Looming trouble

This doesn't look good, the culvert has become blocked with straw and the flood water is by-passing it under the road. The back end of the culvert has already blown out (that's what drew my attention).

The source of the trouble

Blocked drainage beneath the railway embankment has caused melt water to back up and form a lake. The right of the photo shows the railway heading south-east and the left side shows it running north west - it actually runs in a straight line, the panoramic projection shows a 180 degree view with the railway as the baseline.

Road Closed

For obvious reasons RR261 was closed due to the buildup of runoff water spilling across it northwards and thence through culverts under the railway embankment on the west wide - which fed the torrent of water past our property.

The investigation

A couple of geese (bottom RH corner) investigate this new found water source.

The breach

The culvert beneath this oilfield road has now fully blown out and the road breached.

Water Power

The rush of water has blown out the culvert and washed out the oilfield road.

Pumps

CN trying (successfully at this point) to control the upstream water levels using pumps.

Carrot Creek Pumps

CN has brought in two larger pumps that have been set up to discharge directly into Carrot Creek.

Heavy Pumps

CN removing the heavy pumps at the RR 261 crossing, water levels are down maybe the excitement is over?

First Train

The first post-event train slowly rolls through the RR 261 crossing. Yay!

Later that summer

A very wet spring and summer, water everywhere! Copyright; Seth Conlin, In Flight Robotics Inc.