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.

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

Looking Back at the 1995 Lethbridge FloodThese two photographs from the 1995 flood of the Lethbridge River Valley really...
06/02/2026

Looking Back at the 1995 Lethbridge Flood

These two photographs from the 1995 flood of the Lethbridge River Valley really put the scale of the event into perspective. With the High Level Bridge standing above the scene, you can see just how much of the valley was covered by water.

Seeing these images always makes me grateful that the City of Lethbridge made the decision years ago to relocate the homes that once occupied parts of the river valley. Had those homes still been there during this flood, many would have been severely damaged or possibly swept away altogether.

The rain we received earlier this week was certainly welcome and much needed for replenishing our water reserves. But these photos are a powerful reminder of what can happen when a massive mountain snowpack, a rapid warm-up, and heavy rainfall all come together at the same time.

Do you remember the flood of 1995? Were you living in Lethbridge when it happened? I'd love to hear your memories and stories from that incredible event.

I'll continue sharing more historic flood photos from my archives over the next few days.

Lethbridge Flood of 1995With all the recent talk about flooding over the weekend, I found myself digging through some ol...
06/01/2026

Lethbridge Flood of 1995

With all the recent talk about flooding over the weekend, I found myself digging through some old photo archives and came across images from the historic 1995 flood in Lethbridge.

This photo looks down the coulees toward Fort Whoop-Up and the Whoop-Up Drive Bridge. It's hard to believe just how much water spilled over the riverbanks, flooding large areas of the river valley and transforming the landscape many of us know so well.

If you remember the flood of 1995, where were you when the water was at its highest? I'd love to hear your memories.

I'll be sharing more photos from the flood throughout the week, so stay tuned!

“It was a dark and stormy night…” well… more like a dark and stormy MORNING. 😄During my walk through the Lethbridge Rive...
05/27/2026

“It was a dark and stormy night…” well… more like a dark and stormy MORNING. 😄

During my walk through the Lethbridge River Valley and around the Helen Schuler Nature Centre this morning, May 27, 2026. I watched the clouds putting on quite the performance over the High Level Bridge. One minute the sky looked ready to unleash a downpour, the next minute the clouds would break apart and drift away… only to regroup again a few minutes later.

I stayed close to the van just in case Mother Nature decided to get serious, but aside from an incredible cloud show, we didn’t get a drop of rain. The birds, however, seemed absolutely thrilled with the weather. They were singing their little beaks off all morning long.

Here’s hoping we get some much-needed rain and a few more dramatic skies today… but maybe without the lightning that could spark forest fires.



Helen Schuler Nature Centre

I EAR YOU!!! Walking through the river bottom in Lethbridge, you sometimes get that feeling that someone is watching you...
05/26/2026

I EAR YOU!!! Walking through the river bottom in Lethbridge, you sometimes get that feeling that someone is watching you… or at least listening. 😊

This beautiful white-tailed deer was keeping a close eye on me during my morning walk. Every day they seem to be in the same spot, and whenever I pass by, we have our own little conversation. Moments like this are one of the many reasons I love exploring the river valley trails here in Southern Alberta.

Have you ever had a wildlife encounter in the Lethbridge river bottom that made you stop and smile? Share your story below!

Helen Schuler Nature Centre

If you’re a parent, you know that some children’s books stay with you long after the bedtime stories are over.As I walke...
05/22/2026

If you’re a parent, you know that some children’s books stay with you long after the bedtime stories are over.

As I walked through Pavan Park on May 18, 2026, I turned around and saw this beautiful tunnel of trees arching over the trail. Instantly, I was transported back to the stories of Winnie the Pooh:

“Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.”

It was one of those peaceful, warm spring days when the world seems to slow down, and for a moment it felt as though I had wandered into the Hundred Acre Wood itself.

Sometimes a simple path through the trees can awaken memories, imagination, and a sense of wonder that never really leaves us.

What places bring back childhood memories for you?

FujiFilm X-T50 & 15 - 45 mm lens.

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1263c 2 Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB
T1J0E7

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