Paddlewheel Park taking on water – photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – A High stream Flow advisory has been issued for the Fraser River through Prince George as both the Fraser River and the Nechako have  risen considerably since Thursday of this week.

In Paddlewheel Park,  the Fraser  has crept  into the  park  area.  Danger signs have been posted as  there  is a tree down  and  the  river bank is no longer visible.  (see photo above)

According to  the Government of Canada’s Real Time Hydrometric  gauge  at South Fort George, the  Fraser  is at 8.8 meters, a full 1.1 meters higher than it was on Thursday of this week.

The Nechako River is  flowing at 631 cubic meters per second, up from the  609 cubic meters per second recorded on June 8th.

The trails in cottonwood Island park are flooded  and the concrete boat launch is now submerged  (see photo below)

As is the case  every spring during the freshet,  residents are advised to stay clear of the river bank as  the  bank may have been undermined by fast flowing water.

The River Forecast Centre says heavy rainfall  is the source of the rapid rise, with 15  to 80 mm falling  throughout the Upper Fraser Basin.    30-100 mm of rain fell  through the Peace, Williston and Mackenzie region. The South Peace region, including the Pine Pass and tributaries  around Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd and Mackenzie remain on a flood watch.