An aerial shot of the Garden River area in spring 2026, north of Prince Albert, taken by a local farmer. (Image Credit: submitted/Darren Fladager)
Flooding 2026

Some streams have peaked, Sturgeon, Garden, Torch Rivers still climbing: WSA update  

May 6, 2026 | 10:34 AM

While many streams and rivers across the central and northern portions of Saskatchewan have reached their peak, that is not the case everywhere said the Water Security Agency on May 5.  

Tributaries of the North Saskatchewan River near Prince Albert and downstream in the Saskatchewan River basin which flows past Nipawin and Cumberland House are still climbing however and causing bridge and road washouts along with several flooded homes. They are expected to remain high over the next several days.  

One of the hardest hit areas is the Rural Municipality of Garden River, which has declared a state of emergency. The elected council met Tuesday night to discuss the next steps.

Reeve Ryan Scragg told paNOW they are applying to be designated a disaster area under the provincial disaster assistance program.

“As far as I know there are no homes sitting under water but there are definitely basements getting wet, and sub pumps running full in different areas. A lot of water getting close to home,” he said.

With respect to infrastructure damage, Scragg said there’s still a lot of road closures.

“I think there’s at least 30 to 40 major washouts throughout the RM. Today the big concern is the Garden River is running way beyond its peak level that I’ve ever seen in my lifetime.”

With water levels pushing up against the RM’s numerous bridge structures, there’s a concern for structural integrity and what that could mean for major transportation routes.

Scragg reiterated the focus now is on the rebuild and they are looking to get some local people to do some contract work.

North Saskatchewan River  

The North Saskatchewan River that runs past North Battleford rose slightly since yesterday, but the increase has been lowered thanks to cool temperatures. The snowpack is almost gone.  

Most of the area north of Borden is snow free, which means the river at Deer Creek, Borden and Prince Albert is steady or declining.  

The tributaries (Sturgeon and Garden Rivers) of the Saskatchewan River are increasing rapidly and have not peaked. These tributaries are expected to produce well above normal peaks.  

Carrot River  

Much of water that has been flooding the Carrot River upstream has peaked, except near Kinistino. Flows are approaching their peaks downstream with only limited snowpack remaining in ditches, bushes and forests.  

The main stem of the Carrot River near Armley and Smoky Burn is expected to peak soon but looks to have been a historic record, according to early data.  

South Saskatchewan below the Forks (Cumberland House)  

The Saskatchewan River below the Forks (between Prince Albert and Nipawin) has been receding with spills from the EB Campbell Dam reduced yesterday morning. Tobin Lake levels have held steady.  

Upstream of Cumberland Lake, the Torch River is growing but at a slower rate because of cooler temperatures. Some of the creeks that feed the Torch River have slowed but the White Fox River is still rising. Data also suggests this system is at historically high flows. With snow still on the ground and temperatures warming up this week, the flow is expected to increase.  

The Cumberland Lake level is also going to increase with a peak expected next weekend.  

Prince Albert National Park  

The Park is not included in the WSA update but Parks Canada has issued its own update. 

Roads in the park are mostly clear, but snow is still covering the ground, with up to 50 cm in some camping sites in the Beaver Glen Campground.  

While staff are working to clear sites in time for the May long weekend, some areas will be impacted. Full details are available on the park’s social media pages.  

While some areas are almost snow free, that is not the case at Prince Albert National Park, which released this image on May 5.
While some areas are almost snow free, that is not the case at Prince Albert National Park, which released this image on May 5. (Image Credit: submitted/Parks Canada)

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

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