Waterton recovering from flooding

Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada has made quick repairs from flood damage, but popular Akimina Parkway will remain closed until more extensive repairs can be made to the highway.

On June 19, nearly eight inches of rain fell in Waterton Park in less than 24 hours. The resulting flooding caused extensive damage, but most of it has been quickly cleaned up.

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

But repairs to Akimina Parkway, which runs through the center of Waterton Park and then south to Cameron Lake, will take longer, spokeswoman Doreen McGillis said.

Emergency funding was allocated to repair Akimina Parkway, but it will take some time. McGillis said there is no timetable at this point.

The road was covered by tons of debris and suffered washouts and other damage in six separate areas.

Seven people in vehicles and five people in the backcountry were stranded by the flooding and were airlifted out by helicopter the day after the flood. McGillis said their vehicles remain stranded on the highway and will be recovered after repairs are made.

The rest of Waterton Park is open. The sister park sees about 374,000 visitors annually.