Warmer weather and melting snow packs are leading to rising river levels and a possibility of flooding through the week in various parts of British Columbia.
Opinion 250 has posted an advisory on their website about localized flooding in the Prince George area as early as this weekend and there is a possibility that the Skeena could reach the flood stage by midweek and there could flooding in the Terrace area by the end of the week depending on what the weather does over the next seven days.
The Ministry of Environment website has a Rivers Forecast centre, where advisories are posted to its website on a regular basis and can be checked for here.
Opinion 250 has posted an advisory on their website about localized flooding in the Prince George area as early as this weekend and there is a possibility that the Skeena could reach the flood stage by midweek and there could flooding in the Terrace area by the end of the week depending on what the weather does over the next seven days.
The Ministry of Environment website has a Rivers Forecast centre, where advisories are posted to its website on a regular basis and can be checked for here.
Environment Canada also provides information on their website, including a near real-time chart that tracks developments on the province's waterways.
B.C. rivers rising as hot weather melts snowpack
Canadian Press
June 1, 2007 at 6:57 PM EDT
VICTORIA — Major rivers in British Columbia are rising rapidly, fed by the fast melting of a record snowpack, and officials are predicting flooding in some areas could start as soon as Sunday.
“The next two to three weeks are the critical period with respect to flooding on most of the major rivers in the province,” Allan Chapman, head of the River Forecast Centre, said Friday.
He expects rivers to continue to rise until the snowpack is melted.
The upper Fraser River is swelling rapidly from McBride through Quesnel and is expected to reach flood stage by Sunday morning.
Near Prince George, the Fraser is expected to rise above flood stage by next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Mr. Chapman said localized flooding is expected along the North Thompson River next week.
In the Lower Mainland, the Fraser River is rising rapidly and will continue to rise to about six metres at Mission, comparable to 1999 levels.
Mr. Chapman said the main critical factor is whether the upper watershed receives an extended heat wave or substantial rain.
On the lower Fraser, the flood season won't be over before the end of June.
There has been localized flooding along the Bulkley River since last weekend and it's expected the river will get close to flood stage at Smithers by the middle of next week.
The Skeena is also rising and is expected to reach flood stage by the middle of the week and there could be flooding in Terrace by the end of the week, depending on the weather.
Jim Whyte, director of operations for the Provincial Emergency Program, said regional emergency centres have been activated and will remain in operation until the flood threat is alleviated.
“The Provincial Emergency Program has been aware of the above-normal potential for flood risks since February and since that time we've been working with the local governments, the communities, agencies, provincial ministries around the province to make sure that they were aware of the potential for higher than normal flood risk,” Mr. Whyte said.
He said 3.5 million sandbags have been distributed.
B.C. rivers rising as hot weather melts snowpack
Canadian Press
June 1, 2007 at 6:57 PM EDT
VICTORIA — Major rivers in British Columbia are rising rapidly, fed by the fast melting of a record snowpack, and officials are predicting flooding in some areas could start as soon as Sunday.
“The next two to three weeks are the critical period with respect to flooding on most of the major rivers in the province,” Allan Chapman, head of the River Forecast Centre, said Friday.
He expects rivers to continue to rise until the snowpack is melted.
The upper Fraser River is swelling rapidly from McBride through Quesnel and is expected to reach flood stage by Sunday morning.
Near Prince George, the Fraser is expected to rise above flood stage by next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Mr. Chapman said localized flooding is expected along the North Thompson River next week.
In the Lower Mainland, the Fraser River is rising rapidly and will continue to rise to about six metres at Mission, comparable to 1999 levels.
Mr. Chapman said the main critical factor is whether the upper watershed receives an extended heat wave or substantial rain.
On the lower Fraser, the flood season won't be over before the end of June.
There has been localized flooding along the Bulkley River since last weekend and it's expected the river will get close to flood stage at Smithers by the middle of next week.
The Skeena is also rising and is expected to reach flood stage by the middle of the week and there could be flooding in Terrace by the end of the week, depending on the weather.
Jim Whyte, director of operations for the Provincial Emergency Program, said regional emergency centres have been activated and will remain in operation until the flood threat is alleviated.
“The Provincial Emergency Program has been aware of the above-normal potential for flood risks since February and since that time we've been working with the local governments, the communities, agencies, provincial ministries around the province to make sure that they were aware of the potential for higher than normal flood risk,” Mr. Whyte said.
He said 3.5 million sandbags have been distributed.
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