Allan Chapman, river forecaster with the Water Stewardship Division of the Ministry of the Environment  is calling for some more  study.  He says the Forest Practices Board  report  released today which indicates that flows will increase on the Baker Creek watershed, west of Quesnel will have a major effect on the spring run off, is a good study but it points to the need to do more of the same kinds of studies in areas such as the Fraser River at Prince George or McBride.

Chapman says Baker Creek drains a 1600 kilometer plateau and the model which suggests that flows could increase by upwards of 90 % are based on 80% of the beetle wood being harvested from the area with a 100% infected rate.

"It is a good report but we have to now look deeperÈ says Chapman. ÈWe need to look at regions such as the Upper Fraser to see what effect the beetle kill will have."

The snow pack in the Upper Fraser region of the province is pegged at 132% of normal on March 1^st, 148% in the Upper Nechako area, and 130% in the area lying along the Pine Pass.

The good news?  "I believe that the snow pack may drop some more in the month of March."