Prince George, B.C.-  While the  Upper Fraser  region  is still seeing an above normal snow pack (145%)  for this time of year, the exact opposite is true for the Nechako basin.

The Nechako basin is  only at 14% of  its normal  snow pack for this time of year,  and  if there is a  dry summer,  that river system could see much lower than normal  flow levels.

A similar story  can be told in the Peace  and Skeena  watersheds, where the Peace region is  56% of normal for snowpack, and the Skeena-Nass region is  at 16%.

The  BC River Forecast  Centre  reports “Stream flow in many of the major river systems of the province has been above average through May.”  That includes the Fraser River through Prince George as the  Centre says “ the flows on the main stem of the Fraser, from  Prince George to the Fraser Valley reached a 5 year  return period flow.”

Warm temps in May  led to a  high rate of snow melt,  and  barring any major rainfall,  should reduce the risk for flooding.

Environment Canada is predicting warmer than normal temperatures throughout B.C.  this summer,  so  that  will place the Nechako, Skeena and Peace regions at risk  for  low stream flows this year.