Prince George, B.C. -The BC River Forecast Centre is maintaining a Flood Watch for the Nechako River  at Vanderhoof and the Nautley river  near Fort Fraser.While the cooler temperatures over the weekend slowed the  rate of snow melt,  temperatures are expected to  gradually clime  through the week hitting  26 degrees in Vanderhoof by the weekend.  That means snow melt rates will also rise

The River Forecast Centre  says  “The Nechako River at Vanderhoof is forecast to see modest additional rises through the week, with the potential for 4-8 cm additional rise through Thursday (flows reaching approximately 560 m3/s). The Stellako River at Glenannan is expected to see continued rises of 2 cm/day through mid-week, and similar rises may be expected on Francois Lake. The Nautley River near Fort Fraser  is estimated to be flowing at 245 m3/s (gauge water level is 2.83 m) which is above the 20-year return period flow.”  The flows on the Nautley River are expected to continue to gradually increase through the week, and forecast to reach approximately 260-265 m3/s by Thursday and reach  peak flows later this week.

Flows on the Nechako River at Isle Pierre  are at 825 m3/s (gauge water level is 4.42 m) and are expected to continue a slow rise through the week.
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.  Livestock and other possessions of value should be moved to higher terrain if possible.