The City of Camrose is warning residents to stay out of all valley areas and waterways as extremely high water levels make them very dangerous. The order, issued July 1, 2026, shuts down popular parks, trails, and the Mirror Lake spillway while crews work around the clock to manage flooding.
Residents are being asked to avoid Jubilee Park, Jubilee Playground, Stoney Creek Park, and the Summer Off-Leash Dog Park. The Mirror Lake spillway and bridge are also off-limits. Police are monitoring these restricted zones, and the city warns people not to go around barricades or ignore posted signs.
Heavy rain from a stalled weather system dumped between 40 and 70 millimetres on the area, adding to already saturated ground from storms throughout June. The city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is running at full capacity, and emergency storm overflow ponds are at risk of breaching if flows stay high. The Emergency Command Centre has been activated to coordinate the response.
To help ease the strain, the city is asking everyone to cut back on non-essential water use. That means delaying laundry and dishes, taking shorter showers, and turning off taps when not in use. The Mayer Aquatic Centre has been put on notice and could close if needed to save water. Residents should also avoid contact with floodwater or any foam on the surface, as it might be contaminated.
The flooding comes after a tough start to the year for water supply. Earlier in 2026, the Battle River Basin was under a provincial water shortage advisory because of below-average winter precipitation. Now the city faces the opposite problem, with too much water overwhelming the system. City staff and contractors are working around the clock to protect critical infrastructure and keep the community safe.
Upcoming council meetings set for July 6 have been cancelled as the city focuses on the emergency response. Camrose County is also dealing with flooded roads and a wastewater lift station emergency in Kingman, where residents are being asked to limit water use. For the latest updates, residents can visit the City of Camrose website.
