Flood Levels Before End of Weekend

By 250 News

Prince George could be at flood stage as early as Sunday morning.

“The events we have been predicting and preparing for the past few months, are here.”

That is the news delivered by Allan Chapman from the Ministry of the Environment.  Chapman says the heat over the past week has produced a rapid snow pack melt, and there is a rapid rise in the level of the Fraser through McBride.  He says the latest information on the Fraser is that for Prince George, it could reach flood stage as early as Sunday morning.  He predicts the water level at South Fort will likely be 9.5 to 10 metres and will stay at high levels until Friday.

Other regions:

Smithers:  Bulkley River is rising again and high levels are expected Monday and Tuesday and those high levels will persist through the week.

Terrace:  Skeena  will face a long flood season as although there may be localized flooding   by the end of next week, the flow may not be the highest for the season, and the flood season may drag on till the end of June.

Vanderhoof:  The Nautley is experiencing its second largest flows in 60 years, but because  Alcan is tempering the flow of the Nechako by the amount of water being released from the Skins Lake Spillway,   it is not expected that the Nechako will  see much change  through June to mid July from what  is being experienced now.

North Thompson: High flows through Sunday, cresting Tuesday –Wednesday, high levels expected through the balance of next week.  No flooding expected in Kamloops, but there may be flooding in areas that have not been protected with dikes.

Lower Mainland:  The Fraser is expected to be at the 6 metre mark by June 8^th. 

Chapman says it is not clear if these will be the largest flows we will see, it all depends on the weather, “A large frontal rain throughout the watershed, or an extended heat wave could   cause more problems.” 

For Prince George, the perfect weather forecast would be for no rain, temperatures in  the  teens or low 20’s.

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