Seasonal Flooding
Important Life Safety Notice:
UPDATE: June 30, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
Please note that some light standards, which are still energized, are underwater, and pose an electrocution hazard. Please do NOT enter the water. Even when on the ground beside the river, please stay at least 10 meters (about 33.3 feet) away from any light standard.
Important Life Safety Notice:
UPDATE: June 30, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.
Due to the unpredictable currents and fast flow rates, please be advised that St. Albert Fire Services (SAFS) may not be able to undertake rescue operations on the Sturgeon River. SAFS personnel are not swift water trained and are not permitted to conduct unsafe rescue operations on the river. Although the City does not have the authority to ban people from using the river for recreation, we are advising in the strongest possible terms that everyone stay off the river and away from the riverbanks.
Due to the excessive rainfall, and with more expected to come, the City is asking for your support to minimize impact on our vital infrastructure. Residents and businesses are asked to be mindful of their water use at home and at work over the next few days.
Simple acts like taking a shorter shower, holding off on laundry until you have a full load, not washing dishes until the dishwasher is full, can help keep our system flowing smoothly. The same small acts on the part of businesses can also help.
Indoor water use adds more pressure to the City’s sewer infrastructure, which has reduced capacity during heavy rainfall events. We appreciate the community’s support in helping us address the situation in a proactive manner.
Please do you best to avoid excessive water use where feasible and safe to do so.
Localized Flooding
- Update: June 30 at 10:15 a.m. - Rising River
- The Sturgeon River continues to rise in height, bringing sediment and debris into the river. The flow rate (how fast the river is moving) is also increasing, presenting unpredictable currents. Residents and visitors are advised to stay away from the river and the river banks, due to the increased danger. If you do decide to go on the river, for boating or other activity, please exercise extreme caution and keep the following in mind:
- Stay away from the banks of the river
- Stay away from objects in the river that may be unstable
- Stay away from City crews operating near the river - please give them space to do their work safely
- The Sturgeon River continues to rise in height, bringing sediment and debris into the river. The flow rate (how fast the river is moving) is also increasing, presenting unpredictable currents. Residents and visitors are advised to stay away from the river and the river banks, due to the increased danger. If you do decide to go on the river, for boating or other activity, please exercise extreme caution and keep the following in mind:
Trail Closures
- Update June 29 at 3:20 p.m. Due to the rising Sturgeon River, the following trails are closed:
- Ray Gibbon Drive underpass
- From the Celebration Garden to the Children's Bridge - this includes the St. Albert Boat Launch and the Healing Garden
- From the Perron Street bridge to the St. Albert Trail underpass. This includes both underpasses. Please do not go onto private property to get around. If you encounter a trail closure, turn around.
- Boudreau Road underpass
- Follow on-site signage and avoid these areas.
- Update: June 29 at 3:20 p.m. - Dodger Dog Park is saturated and may fill during heavy rainfall. When this occurs, use Lacombe Lake Dog Park or local dog off leash areas and outdoor rinks until the water recedes.
- Update: June 29 at 3:20 p.m. - Watch for water down Erin Ridge Ravine Trail, as the stormwater management facility behind Eastgate Way drains towards the river.
- These dry stormwater management facilities are designed to remain empty under normal conditions and fill temporarily during significant rainfall events. They are operating as intended.
- Riverbanks are unstable. Use extreme caution and avoid the river and surrounding area at this time.
- Stormwater Management Facilities are not meant for any recreational activities like swimming, boating or fishing. Water currents and changing water levels are unpredictable.
- These facilities are at capacity with water levels being very high. Avoid the surrounding areas as they are muddy and slippery.
- Dogs should be kept on-leash.
What is the City Doing?
The City is taking a number of proactive steps to minimize the impact of more rainfall and keep people safe.
- Update: June 30 at 10:15 a.m. - Flood Mitigation
- Due to the rising Sturgeon River, City Crews are implementing flood mitigation measures for low-lying areas:
- Installing barriers along the north bank of the river, between the Perron Street Bridge and the St. Albert Trail Bridge
- Arranging for additional mitigation measures, should they become necessary
- Due to the rising Sturgeon River, City Crews are implementing flood mitigation measures for low-lying areas:
- We are monitoring:
- the water level and flow rate of the Sturgeon River in case additional trail closures become necessary.
- the levels of storm water ponds throughout the city and adjusting levels if necessary.
- We have staff from multiple departments available to ensure we are prepared to respond to any emergency situation quickly and coordinate our efforts.
- We are sending out social media messages on riverbank instability and storm water pond perimeter instability, trail closures, and encouraging residents and businesses to be mindful of their water use over the coming days to proactively reduce the pressure on the City’s stormwater and sanitary sewer systems.
What Home and Business Owners Can Do
Heavy rainfall can cause localized flooding, sewer backups and drainage issues to properties and neighbourhoods.
- Residents and business owners can review their downspouts and review site grading to keep ponding and overland drainage flows away from buildings.
- Flooded window wells have been the cause of many insurance claims.
- Sandbags can be used to provide a temporary barrier – but permanent changes to ensure positive drainage away from buildings is better in the long-term.
Learn more about Preparing for Heavy Rainfall
Sewer Issues?
- If you think your sewer is backing up, follow the steps outlined on the
Sewer Issues page
Need to report Flooding?
- If a resident or a business has a concern regarding potential flooding, call the City of St. Albert Public Works/Utilities:
- Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 780-459-1557 - Outside of these hours – After-hours emergency
Call 780-458-2020
- Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Related Pages
Last edited: June 30, 2026