Fallen trees. Broken branches. Ravaged blooms.
“This will be marked as the highest snowfall prior to the autumn equinox (as observed from the Calgary International Airport) since 1884 (where records date back to),” said Bill McMurtry, meteorologist with Environment Canada.
The casualties of the green varieties were many last week, thanks to two back-to-back cold weather systems that originated in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, swooped through Edmonton and reached as far south as Lethbridge — whiting out the Calgary area Sept. 8-10.
McMurtry said that 28.2 cm of snow was recorded at the Calgary Airport and unofficial reports of 35-40 cm of snow in surrounding communities such as Water Valley were reported.
Weather records indicate that there have been 9-10 significant September snowfalls — but most have been post-autumn equinox (Sept. 23) snowfalls.
With such a large amount of snowfall falling on trees and vegetation still in full bloom (before the first ‘killing frost’) so early in the month, the damage caused was severe and widespread for communities west of Highway 2 — including Cochrane.
“Depending on the community, damages varied from minor to extensive,” explained Gerry Murphy, parks manager for the town.
“Heartland, Heritage Hills, Sunset Ridge, Fireside, Riversong, Bow Ridge, Jumping Pound and GlenEagles fared better than the older communities.”
The most heavily impacted areas were Glenbow, Riverview, the East End, Cochrane Heights and the Ranche Park.
Murphy said the town is monitoring costs associated from the event, but was unable as of yet to provide an estimation of costs associated with the manpower required to clean up the event.
For residents who witnessed their beautiful boughs broken across their lawns, branch drop-off was made available at the RancheHouse overflow parking lot Sept. 13-16 and people can still bring their branches and tree debris to the Eco Centre during regular business hours, Wednesday-Saturday (free of charge).
“Regardless of where the trees are rooted (on town lands versus private residences), town staff will deal with branches and limbs laying on or impacting their property,” said Murphy.
“Residents are reminded that dumping on public property is still not allowed.”
To learn more visit cochrane.ca.
