Floodwaters from the Carrot River have overflowed, submerging a significant portion of the Pasquia Golf Course and causing about $2.5 million in damages. The mayor of Carrot River, Carrie Neigel, highlighted that the back four to nine holes of the golf course are now underwater.
Spring flooding has affected regions in central and northern Saskatchewan, leading to road washouts, stranded homeowners, and flooded basements. This has hindered spring seeding activities for farmers, adding to their challenges of dealing with high fuel and fertilizer prices.
In Carrot River, located 241 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon, the river breached its banks on May 1, leading to the partial submersion of the nine-hole Pasquia Golf Course by the weekend. Susan Schroepfer, a board member of Pasquia Regional Park, described the extent of the damage as significant, emphasizing the challenge of cleaning up the debris and silt left by the flood.
The flood has particularly impacted the fourth hole of the golf course, which has experienced flooding previously. Repairing this hole and reinforcing the river embankment could amount to $2.5 million. The Water Security Agency (WSA) of Saskatchewan has issued an extreme high flow advisory for the Carrot River, with water levels significantly higher than in late April.
Mayor Neigel expressed concerns about the economic impact of the flood on the community, noting the loss of tourism revenue from the golf course and regional park. She mentioned the potential cost of repairs and restoration efforts, including damage to new park facilities like bathrooms and the gazebo.
Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to partially reopen the golf course for enthusiasts. Neigel criticized government cuts to highway and infrastructure funding, suggesting that these decisions have worsened the flooding situation. She emphasized the need for better planning to mitigate the impact of natural disasters like floods.
Overall, the community is facing a long road to recovery as they assess the damages and work towards restoring the beloved Pasquia Golf Course and regional park.