St. John River will stay high throughout weekend, EMO warns

New Brunswick EMO is warning residents that water levels along the St. John River will remain high throughout the weekend.

Contributing factors to the high water are snow melt in northern areas of the province and rainy weather that has hit the south of the province.

Water levels are expected to stay near or above flood stage between Fredericton and Jemseg.

• Ice jam causes flooding nearBathurst
• St. John River water levels to exceed flood stage inJemseg
• St. John River expected to reach its peak over long weekend

High water levels have also eroded the riverbank and forced the closure of another stretch of highway, Route 105 at Medford, between Tobique First Nation and Drummond.

Effects on wildlife

Moose and other wildlife have been forced to find dry land during this high-water spell, andEMO is urging drivers to be cautious along the St. John River.

In central New Brunswick, moose have been seen on the road between Maugerville and the Jemseg area because the animals' natural territories are under water.

EMO officials are also warning the public that banks of waterways become dangerous this time of year, and thewater is cold. Currents are alsoswift and could be carrying debris.