Calgary flood experts keep watch on spring rain

Calgary experts watching out for flooding this spring sayjust because less snow fell this winterdoesn't mean the city is at a low risk.

City flood mitigation experts say themountain snowpack is on the low side this year and Calgary hasbeen relativelydry. However,more rain and snow is expected between May and July.

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River engineering leaderFrank Frigo saidCalgary's almost at the same risk level for flooding this year as in 2013, whenfloodwaters devastatedseveral southern Alberta communities.

"That risk exists every year in Calgary because we have such steep mountain area upstream of us, it only takes a fairly moderate rainfall event, even with preceding dry conditions, to drive a very rapid change from low and normal water levels to extremely high water levels."

Frigo says significant changes have been made so the city is better prepared to handle a flood.Among those changes areupgraded monitoring systems, more trained staff and upgraded infrastructure.