Windward slopes in the park are scoured bare while leeward slopes accumulate large amounts. The importance of this redistribution is twofold - windswept slopes form critical forging areas and travel corridors for wildlife and slow melting snow packs sustain streams and rivers during the summer months. Spring in Waterton arrives in a swirl of meltwater. In most years, runoff is contained in streams, rivers and lakes then absorbed by soil and plants. Occasionally, a combination of a large heavy June rains, warm temperatures and large melting snowpack has resulted in flooding.
Flooding is an important natural process which contributes to building and shaping the landscape.
For example, the alluvial fans of Blakiston and Cameron creeks grow and are replenished with nutrients. The Blakistan fan provides important habitat for ungulates and the Cameron fan has provided a prime location for the townsite. Although floods are beneficial for natural habitats, they can be destructive to human habitats. Parks Canada has tried to reduce the threat of floods by straightening and reinforcing the banks of Cameron Creek where it flows through town. Its slightly maritime climate favours the growth of plants like beargrass, false huckleberry and ninebark.