Your river just did something impossible 200 years ago
Morning from the Gateway — here's what's moving in The Pas.
You know, living up here, you learn to respect the water. The Saskatchewan River, the Carrot River – they're our lifeblood, but they can also be unforgiving. So when I read about that "once-in-a-millennium flood" that hit the Red River Settlement back in 1826, it really made me think. We talk about high water and spring breakup every year, but imagining something on that scale? It wiped out an entire colony.
### What This Means for The Pas
It's easy to dismiss a story from 200 years ago as ancient history, especially when it happened way down south near Winnipeg. But for us in The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation, our connection to the water is just as profound. We’re on the river, our homes, our livelihoods — they all depend on its behaviour. That 1826 flood wasn't just a Winnipeg story; it was a watershed event for the entire province, showing the sheer power of these northern rivers. It's a stark reminder of:
* **Our Vulnerability:** No matter how much infrastructure we build, the forces of nature can still overwhelm us. * **Historical Echoes:** Our ancestors on these lands navigated these same powerful water systems, adapting and enduring. * **Community Resilience:** That Red River community, like ours, had to rebuild and rely on each other.
It reminds you that while we’re busy watching the levels on the Saskatchewan River near our own communities, hoping for a smooth spring breakup and no major flooding, there’s a history of floods that absolutely rewrote the landscape. It keeps you grounded, knowing what these waterways are truly capable of, and why we’ve always got one eye on the river.
Phil Flett, MiTL Sports Desk, The Pas.
Catch this and more local stories with the crew every morning over at mornings.live.