Photo: Colton Davies

A lane closure on Highway 97, north of OK Falls, due to groundwater flowing from a natural spring.

The northbound closure, just north of OK Falls near Old Kaleden Road, will be in effect for weeks, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

The closure was first implemented months ago, during the spring freshet.

"This area is well known for spring activity... It was hoped that the spring would recede, as many others in the area have, but unfortunately this has not been the case," MOTI said in a statement to Castanet.

The ministry added no aquifers have been affected, noting "this is a natural occurrence especially when ground water levels are high."

Work will be done in the fall to capture groundwater under the highway and direct it down the ditch to a groundwater drainage structure, which an engineer recently recommended be done.

Several Castanet readers reached out about "near misses" driving past the lane closure. While there's signage ahead of it, the closure is after an uphill turn in the highway and isn't in view right away.

In response to driver concerns, "the ministry will also do a follow-up review of the lane closure set up, to ensure it is safe and that drivers are given enough warning before they reach the lane closure," MOTI said.