Two Rivers Canoe club hosted a race on the Nechako and Fraser Rivers this weekend  photo submitted

Prince George, BC – With the benefit of two major rivers carving through our city, Prince George residents take full advantage of the recreational uses that affords…

But the Regional District of Fraser Fort George is continuing to recommend extreme caution near our rivers and streams.  Even when the district cancelled its evacuation alert and stood down its Emergency Operations Centre last week, Public Information Officer, Donna Munt, encouraged residents to avoid all streams and water bodies with rising levels.

She said, "High water-flows can cause bank erosion and instability, and currents in the river can be volatile and unpredictable."

The City of Prince George has closed both Cottonwood Island Park and Paddlewheel Park, but both parking lots accessing Cottonwood were busy this weekend with residents out walking, biking, and boating.   The closed parks are not ‘policed’ and city officials have said in the past that anyone choosing to enter is doing so at their own risk.

Prince George RCMP say there were no incidents reported over the weekend involving any trouble on the rivers.

However, two young women found themselves lucky to escape with their lives a week and a half ago, after slipping down the bank and into the Fraser River at Fort George Park. (click here for previous story)