More High Streamflow Advisories Issued

By 250 News

While Prince George prepares for flooding, there are other communities that have been placed on a “High Streamflow Advisory”

High Streamflow Advisory issued for the Bulkley

River levels in the Skeena basin have been rising slowly over the past few days, in response to temperatures being near seasonal normal’s. The Bulkley River downstream of Houston (below the confluence with the Morice River) is currently above natural bankfull, and is continuing to rise slowly.

The Bulkley River at Quick is at a discharge of 670 cubic metres per second (cms), slightly above the 2-year return period discharge of 560 cms.

Temperatures are forecast to be  near 30 degrees today  in Smithers,, but with the onset of cooler weather on Monday, a Pacific frontal system is forecast to bring rain into the central and eastern portions of the Skeena basin. Current forecasts are for approximately 20 mm in the Smithers area on Monday, with additional rain on Tuesday, and potentially scattered rain during the week.

Terrace is forecast to receive only light rain.

The Bulkley River downstream of Houston is forecast to continue rising through the few days, peaking possibly Wed-Fri (June 6-8), following the short period of hot weather and the rainfall. Localized flooding may occur along the river corridor, including through Smithers. This may not be the high flow of the spring for the Bulkley River through Smithers, as sufficient snow remains throughout the Morice and Telkwa drainages to produce another high flow later in June, following further snowmelt.

The Skeena River has also been rising steadily over the past 4-5 days. It is currently at 4000 cms (at Usk, near Terrace), below a level of concern. Following the short period of warm weather and rain, the Skeena at Usk is expected to reach 5,000 cms by late next week.

BC Environment has also issued a High Streamflow Advisory for the North Thompson River, upstream of Kamloops.

While there is no  flooding expected in Kamloops,  there may be flooding upstream of Kamloops in low lying areas with no dike protection. That flooding could  start as early as today.

The North Thompson River has been rising slowly for the past 3 days, in response to the hot weather and accelerated snowmelt in the basin.

Well above normal temperatures are forecast to persist through Monday, to be followed by potentially heavy rain beginning late Monday and extending into Tuesday and Wednesday. Following this weather forecast, the North Thompson River will continue rising until mid to late next week. It is forecast to peak Thursday-Friday (June 7-8), at a discharge near 2,400-2,700 cms as measured at McLure. This is near a 25-year return period level.

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