The District of Houston is keeping a close eye on this winter’s snowpack to determine the potential for flooding as spring arrives.
As of Feb. 27, the snowpack was well within the historical range, said District of Houston chief administrative officer Gerald Pinchbeck.
“District staff are monitoring snow pack in higher elevations, namely Lu Lake, to determine the snowpack levels compared to previous years,” he said.
“Staff will continue to monitor snow pack levels and the spring melt in the local area and at higher elevations,” he said.
And should flooding occur, Pinchbeck said “the district would employ tools and resources available to it under the Emergency Management Act.”
Last year some residents of the Alix Frontage Road and the parking lot of Finning experienced spring flooding. Residents of Alix Frontage Road voiced their concern that the flooding in that area is man-made due to the merge lane put in on Morice River Road around nine years ago.
During one of the heaviest snowfall days, Feb. 9, the district did employ private contractors to assist in snow clearing and removal.
The next day snow build up at rail crossings was removed with CN supervision.
“District staff and contractors are working hard to ensure that snow is removed in a timely manner, and make every effort to ensure it is stored in suitable locations,” said Pinchbeck.
“As snow builds up on roadsides, equipment will be used to transport excess snow to various snow dump locations.”
From Dec. 1, 2017 to March 1, 2018 the district spent $193,969.08 on snow plowing and removal.
Its 2018 budget for snow plowing and removal is $313,000.