Waterton recovering from floods

The impact of a deluge of rain on June 19 continues to be felt at Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier Park’s neighbor to the north.

Waterton received almost 8 inches of rain in 24 hours that day, causing widespread damage.

Most facilities that were damaged by the storm have been repaired and reopened in time for the Canada Day long weekend, according to a news release Friday from Waterton Park.

This includes all campgrounds and most trails and roads.

Work to repair the Akamina Parkway, which sustained the heaviest damage, will start next week.

The Akamina Parkway, which was severed by flood waters, remains closed because of dangerous road conditions. This closure includes all trails from the parkway and applies to hikers, cyclists, equestrians and vehicles.

To help alleviate traffic problems on the Red Rock Parkway, a shuttle service will start today from Tamarack Outdoor Outfitters.

Current Waterton trail conditions can be found at “Trail Report” at www.pc.gc.ca/waterton.

Parks Canada brought in extra manpower and equipment to repair and open facilities after the storm.

The Red Rock Parkway was cleared of all flood debris and damage and opened, a retaining wall was installed to stabilize the failed slope near the visitor center, and a sewage lagoon dike was stabilized and repaired.

All three Waterton Lakes Park campgrounds had been closed and evacuated but they were open again within days of June 19’s heavy rains.