Prince George, B.C. – The BC River Forecasting Centre has issued a flood watch for the Nautley River near Fort Fraser and the Nechako River near Vanderhoof.

The Nautley River near Fort Fraser is estimated to be flowing at 226 m3/s which is above the 20-year return period flow.

The Nechako River at Vanderhoof is flowing at 530 m3/s, which is above the 10-year return period flow.

The River Forecasting Centre attributes the flood watches to “this week’s warm temperatures which have increased the snowmelt to approximately 30 to 40 mm per day at high elevation areas of the basin.

“This has caused increased flows throughout the region. Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue until next Tuesday.”

In light of the flood watches, local residents are reminded to “stay clear of streams during the spring runoff period due to highly saturated and unstable riverbank conditions and swiftly flowing water.”

They also recommend moving livestock and other possessions “to higher terrain if possible.”

Meanwhile, the flood watch for the Bulkley River has been maintained.