Government of New Brunswick
Fredericton Junction
St. Stephen
Second Falls
Keswick
Tide Head
Flatlands
Atholville
St. George
St. Andrews
Woodstock
Aroostook
Beresford
McAdam
Jemseg
Durham Bridge
Westfield
Stanley
Sheffield
Penniac
Nashwaak Village
Maugerville
Lincoln
Hoyt
Ice jam
Mild Weather
Heavy rain
$2,113,328.00

Affected Areas


Saint John River Basin: In the Saint John River Basin, most of the reported flooding occurred in the southern portion. Woodstock Area: At Woodstock, an ice jam formed at the mouth of the Meduxnekeag River on March 27, causing a rapid rise in water levels. The highway pedestrian bridge was closed until waters subsided and an inspection could be carried out. The government offices in the Feldman Building were also forced to close due to the high water. Centennial Park was reported to be hard hit by the high water and ice. The ice jam was reported to have moved downstream of the Town to Bull's Creek and the water subsided quickly. Fredericton Area: At Fredericton, there were some reports of flooded basements and yards. At Royal Roads, Nashwaaksis Stream overflowed its banks, inundating the highway and isolating several houses. Highway #105 was reported to be partially washed out at Keswick but still passable. Nashwaak River Basin: In the Nashwaak Valley, 12 families at Stanley were evacuated from their homes because of the flooding caused by an ice jam at MacLaggan Bridge, March 26. The fire station was surrounded by water and two trucks had to be removed. Firemen assisted in the evacuation of the families affected, and with pumping operations throughout the community. A section of Highway #107, from Stanley to Nashwaak Village, was inundated with water and ice. At Nashwaak Village, a section of Route 8 was inundated with water and ice floes, and a leastone family was isolated. The highway was closed to traffic. Washouts were reported on the Killarney Road and inundation of Route 8 also occurred between Durham Bridge and Penniac. Lincoln Area: South of Fredericton, Route 102, near Lincoln, was closed. A washout was reported on the Lincoln Road near Scott's Nursery. Route 7 was open between Fredericton and Saint John, but some water was reported to be over the highway at various locations. Oromocto River Basin: At Hoyt, a number of homes were inundated and isolated. The Minister of Municipal Affairs was reported as having been forced from his home for "the second time this year as water surrounded his residence." Highway #101, from Hoyt to Welsford, was reported to be closed because of flooding. Maugerville-Sheffield Area: The Trans Canada Highway, from Maugerville to Jemseg, was closed for a period when "the river reached over 19 feet and waves broke over the road and ice piled upon it." Restigouche River Basin: In the Restigouche River Basin, an ice jam at Tide Head forced closure of roads and at least two families from their homes on March 26. Another ice jam was reported at Flatlands. Highway #132, on the New Brunswick side, and Highway #6, Matapedia to Cross Point, on the Quebec side, were closed. The flooding delayed the C.N.R. Gaspé rail service and forced closure of the pulp mill at Atholville when the pumphouse became submerged. Highway flooding (to a depth of two to three feet) [approx. 0.6 m to 0.9 m] was also reported on Route 134 at Christopher Brook, lasting two days. Numerous cottages along the river were either destroyed or damaged. Northeastern New Brunswick: In Gloucester County, an ice jam, on the Millsteam River three miles [approx. 5 km] upstream of Beresford, affected nine families. Southwestern New Brunswick: Four rail lines owned by the C.P.R. were reported to be flooded or washed out. The C.P.R. lines affected were: between McAdam and Fredericton Junction; between McAdam and Aroostook; feeder lines from McAdam to St. Stephen and St. Andrews, and; at Westfield Beach. Magaguadavic River Basin: In the Magaguadavic River Basin, flooding was reported between St. George and Second Falls.* The Bonny River Road was inundated at several locations, and at Second Falls, flooding was reported near the church. At Bonny River, at least 25 families were forced to leave their homes. Several cottages were flooded on Lake Utopia as a result of high water levels, which were reported to be the highest since the flood of 1961. In St. George, the curling club basement was reported to be full of water. Some homes were surrounded by water and sustained basement flooding. A portion of Manor Road was inundated between Brunswick Drive and Highway #1, as well as a section of River Avenue near Canal Road.
Restigouche River Basin: The flooding in the Restigouche River Basin was reported as being "the worst in memory." In Atholville, an area, several kilometres long and more than 0.8 kilometres inland at some points, was inundated. The ice run on the Restigouche River was believed to be the earliest in recorded history. Some older residents of the area stated that "the earliest ice had ever run, prior to this year, was in 1936 when it ran out on March 27". Saint John River Basin: On March 26, a hydrometric station on the Nerepis River (01AP006) recorded a daily discharge of 172 cubic metres per second, and a peak instantaneous discharge of 281 cubic metres per second. Both values are the maximums recorded for the period from 1979 to 1990, inclusive. Magaguadavic River Basin: At St. George, the power plant foremen reported the high water level to be at elevation 62.2 feet [18.96 m] and that all the stoplogs were removed from the dam at the crest of the flood. The Elmcroft hydrometric station recorded a peak daily flow of 390 cubic metres per second, the sixth highest on record. [Check discharge records for station for floods since study which may change rank of discharge associated with this event.]
No estimates of the flood damage were presented other than some damages to public property which are as follows: Department of Highways - $1 930 133 (Highways and Structures) Department of Municipal Affairs - $143 195 (Municipal Services and Buildings) Woodstock Area: Damages along the waterfront in Woodstock were reported to have exceeded $40 000. At Centennial Park, several guardrails and posts were destroyed by the ice movement. * Proctor and Redfern Ltd. , May 1979: Documentation of Information on the March 1979 Flood Along the Magaguadavic River, Second Falls to St. George.