Walkerton Herald-Times April 9 Turnbacks

From April 11, 1990: It was over 60 years ago this month that Walkerton experienced one of its many floods in the first half of this century before protective measures were taken. Protection against Mother Nature’s spring wrath came in the form of dykes that were constructed along the banks of the Saugeen River. The founding of Walkerton in the mid-1800s by Joseph Walker saw the county town locate in a flood plain. It was the attractive setting that appealed to Walker, as well as harnessing the power of the mighty Saugeen River that motivated him to found Walkerton. The years of flooding grief experienced by early settlers has not followed later generations as often, nor with as much ferocity. No longer are canoes and boats needed to navigate Walkerton’s main street during the spring run-off. Nor are sidewalks, trees and homes flooded, even washed away by the flooded river. The dykes have offered protection to a population that is largely based in a flood area. They have also prevented from happening what is shown in the photographs that depict the great flood of 1929. (Herald-Times file photo)