Drumheller river crests below dike

The surging Red Deer River crested just below the top of the hastily topped up dike in Drumheller early Tuesday morning, and officials are now watching to see whether the berm will hold as water levels are expected to remain high all day.

Sandbagging homes in Drumheller (CP photo)

About 25 homes have been flooded, but officials say it could have been much worse.

The lucky break came in the form of a log jam on the Little Red Deer River, which runs into the main waterway, which prevented more water from pouring through the town.

"We had some luck. We had some real good co-operation with Dickson Dam, the weather changed a little bit and it didn't go as high as originally forecast," Mayor Paul Ainscough said.

Asked about whether the town was feeling relieved Tuesday morning, Ainscough said: "Give us another day and we'll be a lot better then."

As well, crews of hundreds worked around the clock to add about two metres of earth to the dike that runs along the river, which made the difference. Homes and businesses were sandbagged as well.

Alberta Environment estimates that the river, which crested about 1 a.m., came about two inches from the lowest edge of that dike.

• GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA: Latest flood forecast

Emergency officials are now hoping the new earth holds, with the high water expected to stay at that level for most of the day.

More than 3,000 people about a third of the town's population are still out of their homes. The town expects it will be another day before they'll be able to return.

Schools in Drumheller are also closed Tuesday.

Police are blaming pedestrians gathered on the Morrin Bridge to view the flooded river for triggering a fatal truck crash near the town Monday night.

The RCMP says the truck plunged into the river as it attempted to dodge cars that had slowed down to avoid the pedestrians.

The truck had been travelling at about 100 km/h when it came over a hill, police said. The vehicle hit a car, then slammed into the side of the bridge, knocking out two girders and plunging into the water, killing the driver.

• GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA: Alberta flood update