Water levels recede in Fredericton, while flooding imminent in other communities

On the third day of spring flooding in New Brunswick, five communities — Fredericton, Maugerville, Jemseg, Gagetown and Hartland — continue to see high waters. 

By Friday morning, water levels have increased in Grand Lake, making flooding imminent. Flooding is also imminent in Lakeville Corner, Saint John, Simonds and Woodstock.

Fredericton has likely reached its peak and water is receding, the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization says.

Maugerville and Gagetown are holding steady, and Jemseg water levels increased slightly Friday morning.

Saint John is about three days from its peak, according to the city's fire chief.

At high tide early Thursday afternoon, flood stage was just seven centimetres away. 

Cooler temperatures Friday and into the weekend is good news for people living close to the river, said EMO spokesperson Geoffrey Downey. 

Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing in the Edmundston area, slowing down snow melt. The slower snow melts, the less likely the river will swell too fast and breach its banks. 

Levels in central New Brunswick are likely at their peak right now.

Downey said river conditions Friday morning are better in Fredericton compared to Wednesday.

"It's been trending downward now for about 36 hours even though there was a little spell yesterday when it was rising again," he said. 

In Maugerville, levels have been flat, but water is starting to dip slightly Friday, and the same is expected for Gagetown.

Farther down river, in the Saint John area, the peak is still to come. Downey said water levels in Saint John and Quispamsis have been climbing.

"It looks like their peak might be in the days to come," he said.