Paterson Photography Fine Art

Paterson Photography Fine Art Capturing the beauty of Lethbridge’s High Level Bridge, wildlife, and nature across Western Canada. Wall art for all locations and occasions.

Stunning prints available for home, office, or workplace decor. Add a touch of nature to your space! Paterson Photography Fine Art has an amazing selection of prints from around western Canada. Large selection of Lethbridge high level bridge prints.

Waterton Lakes National Park. June 13th, 2026. So far not a breeze, lots of birds and animals out enjoying the cool damp...
06/13/2026

Waterton Lakes National Park. June 13th, 2026. So far not a breeze, lots of birds and animals out enjoying the cool damp morning.

After weeks of much-needed rain, the Lethbridge River Valley is looking absolutely incredible.Captured on June 12, 2026,...
06/12/2026

After weeks of much-needed rain, the Lethbridge River Valley is looking absolutely incredible.

Captured on June 12, 2026, this view from Highway 3 overlooks a sea of lush green coulees stretching across the river valley. In the foreground sits the Par 3 Golf Course and the Elizabeth Hall Wetlands, while the iconic red shale above the Par 3 course and historic coal mine can be spotted to the right. Towering above it all, the High Level Bridge spans the valley, creating one of Lethbridge's most recognizable landscapes.

On this rainy morning, a light drizzle and lingering patches of fog added an extra layer of atmosphere, making the valley feel fresh, vibrant, and alive. It's amazing what a couple of weeks of rain can do for Southern Alberta.

Have you noticed how green everything has become lately?

I took a walk through the Lethbridge River Valley on June 9, 2026, and ran into the city's hardest-working landscaping c...
06/10/2026

I took a walk through the Lethbridge River Valley on June 9, 2026, and ran into the city's hardest-working landscaping crew.

These goats are back on the job, tackling noxious weeds the natural way, one mouthful at a time. Not only are they mowing the weeds down, but they're also generously fertilizing the area as they go. Talk about full-service landscaping!

Of course, like any good crew, they felt the need to supervise me. On two separate occasions, they parked themselves right in the middle of the trail and seemed very interested in where I was going. I'm still not sure if they were checking my credentials or just hoping I had snacks.

Either way, it's always fun to see these four-legged weed-control specialists hard at work in the river valley. Have you spotted the goat crew yet this year?

Helen Schuler Nature Centre

I Sssssssee you!! A walk around the Helen Schuler Nature Center on June 5, 2026 saw a lot of creatures out enjoying th...
06/09/2026

I Sssssssee you!! A walk around the Helen Schuler Nature Center on June 5, 2026 saw a lot of creatures out enjoying the sun and dry day. That included this large garter snake that was scaling some wooden posts. We stopped and had a discussion about how nice the sun was. The snake agreed it was a Sssssuper warm Sssssun!!!

Helen Schuler Nature Centre

With my flood photos last week people kept asking about the Lethbridge Police officer that died in the flood of 1964.Her...
06/09/2026

With my flood photos last week people kept asking about the Lethbridge Police officer that died in the flood of 1964.

Here is a picture of the plaque in the river valley and some information about him.

On June 10, 1964 there was severe flooding in the river valley and Cst. Byam was dispatched to assist in evacuating a small island where several people were living in a hut. Cst. Byam was on horseback and attempted to cross the river when he was swept away and drowned.

A Final Look Back at the 1995 Lethbridge FloodAs I wrap up this series of photographs from the historic 1995 flood, I th...
06/05/2026

A Final Look Back at the 1995 Lethbridge Flood

As I wrap up this series of photographs from the historic 1995 flood, I thought this image was the perfect one to end with.

What you're looking at is a road leading into the Lethbridge River Valley, a road that, on this day, went nowhere. The floodwaters had risen high enough to completely swallow the roadway, turning a familiar route into part of a temporary lake.

To the right, you can see another road emerging from the water, the route that leads toward the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. On the left side of the image, hidden among the large grove of trees, sits the Elks Picnic Shelter area.

While the flood brought an incredible amount of water, it also carried huge quantities of silt, mud, and debris. When the waters finally receded, they left behind a dramatically altered landscape. Trails had disappeared, ponds had been reshaped, and parts of the river valley looked completely different than they had before.

It's amazing how quickly nature can transform a place we think we know so well.

For those who remember the flood of 1995, what stands out most in your memory? And for those who weren't here, does it surprise you to see just how much of the river valley was underwater?

Thank you for following along on this journey through my flood photo archives. It's been wonderful hearing your stories and memories of this remarkable event in Lethbridge's history.

The 1995 Lethbridge Flood – A View Few Will ForgetThis photograph was taken looking over Fort Whoop-Up toward the Elks P...
06/04/2026

The 1995 Lethbridge Flood – A View Few Will Forget

This photograph was taken looking over Fort Whoop-Up toward the Elks Picnic Shelter, hidden within the group of trees in the distance.

If you've spent much time walking through this part of the river valley, you'll know the area contains what looks like an old drainage canal or ditch, complete with surprisingly high berms on either side. Under normal conditions, those berms stand well above the surrounding landscape. During the flood of 1995, however, they completely disappeared beneath the water.

What really catches my attention in this image is seeing the floodwaters pushing right into the Fort Whoop-Up grounds. Areas that are normally dry and easily accessible became part of a vast temporary lake as the Oldman River overflowed its banks.

Photos like this are a powerful reminder of just how much water moved through the Lethbridge River Valley during the flood. It's hard to imagine the scale of it until you see familiar landmarks swallowed by water.

Do you remember the 1995 flood? Or have you walked this area recently and found it hard to believe it was once underwater? Share your memories and stories below!

I'll be posting more images from my flood archives throughout the week.

After the heavy rains over the past few days, I headed down to the Lethbridge River Valley this morning to see how thing...
06/04/2026

After the heavy rains over the past few days, I headed down to the Lethbridge River Valley this morning to see how things were looking.

The good news? There appears to be very little damage from the recent storm system. While the pathway between Highway 3 and the Helen Schuler Nature Centre remains closed, most areas are holding up remarkably well.

There is some minor flooding along sections of the Oldman River's banks, and river levels are expected to continue rising over the next several days as runoff from the mountains makes its way downstream through Lethbridge.

One thing that really surprised me was how quickly the landscape was recovering. Many of the large puddles and temporary lakes that formed during the rain had already dried up significantly by this morning.

It's always interesting to see how quickly nature adapts after a major weather event. I'll continue to keep an eye on conditions and share updates and photos from around the river valley.

Have you been down to the river lately? What changes have you noticed?

A Different View of the 1995 Lethbridge FloodThis photograph from the 1995 flood was taken looking across the Whoop-Up D...
06/03/2026

A Different View of the 1995 Lethbridge Flood

This photograph from the 1995 flood was taken looking across the Whoop-Up Drive roadway toward the University of Lethbridge, perched safely high atop the coulees.

If you look closely to the left side of the image, you can spot the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant sitting behind its protective berm, remaining dry while floodwaters surrounded the area. The large flooded section in the foreground, between Whoop-Up Drive and the treatment plant, was once home to the old sewage lagoons.

While the berms helped limit the spread of the water in this area, the floodwaters still rose dramatically, covering vast stretches of land and coming dangerously close to overtopping the protective barriers. Had that happened, the consequences for the city's water infrastructure could have been significant.

Looking back at these images nearly 30 years later is a reminder of just how powerful nature can be. Do you remember the flood of 1995, or have stories you've heard from family and friends? Share your memories below!

I'll continue posting more historic flood photos from my archives over the coming days.

2026 LethbridgeWith so many people enjoying my photos from the 1995 Lethbridge flood, I've been asked several times if I...
06/02/2026

2026 Lethbridge

With so many people enjoying my photos from the 1995 Lethbridge flood, I've been asked several times if I have any recent photos showing the current river conditions after this year's heavy rainfall.

I spent some time in the Lethbridge River Valley this morning with my camera and wanted to share what I saw.

The Oldman River is definitely running high, some areas appear to be within a foot of going over the riverbanks, but from what I observed between the Highway 3 Bridge and Whoop-Up Drive, I did not see any river flooding outside of the banks within Lethbridge. Conditions may be different elsewhere along the river, but this was the situation in the areas I covered today.

One section of trail between the Helen Schuler Nature Centre and the Highway 3 Bridge remains closed. I didn't venture down that way, but that area has a history of mudslides and slope movement, so that may be contributing to the closure.

A quick reminder for local residents: the City of Lethbridge is asking everyone to reduce water consumption where possible. The river is carrying a significant amount of silt, mud, and debris, which means the water treatment plant is working much harder than usual to provide clean, safe water to homes and businesses throughout Southern Alberta.

Have you been down to the river lately? What have you noticed?


City of Lethbridge- City Hall Helen Schuler Nature Centre

Address

1263c 2 Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB
T1J0E7

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Monday 9:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4pm
Friday 9:30am - 4pm

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+14033271114

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