Vanderhoof Getting Wet

Sunday, June 17, 2007 03:59 AM

Bridge over Stoney Creek barely visible ( submitted photo)

Father's Day in Vanderhoof will be a wet one.

The Nechako River was at 4.941 metres last night at the Burrard Street bridge. The discharge was at 598.55 cubic metres per second.

You might recall that in April, at a public meeting, residents were given a copy of the chart at right.

It outlines the best and worst case scenarios given that Alcan has to release water from the Kenny Dam in order to ensure the safety of the dam.

The "medium" scenario is pretty much where Vanderhoof is right now.

There are reports of ground water bubbling up, and water is seeping into the basements of some riverside homes.

The District of Bulkley -Nechako has its emergency operations centre up and running.

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Posted on Sunday, June 17, 2007 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: RUEZ on June 17 2007 6:41 AM

Maybe Alcan can use some of their profits from selling our power to help out flooded residents.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on June 17 2007 7:10 AM

No, the provincial government should help, and the provincial government should be the owner of the water rights also.

Posted by: seamutt on June 17 2007 6:41 PM

Before knocking Alcan to much the lake ane dam act as a buffer with the in flow of water. If that buffer was not there there would be a lot more water going threw Hooterville.

Posted by: Palopu on June 17 2007 9:01 PM

If all Alcans turbines were working, and if they had their power lines up and running there would be a lot less water running through Hooterville, as it would be used to generate electricity, at Kemano.

Posted by: 4streegrrl on June 18 2007 6:51 AM

Actually, Alcan stated at the meeting on the 13th that once the temporary power line is functioning again and the turbines are at full bore, they would only be consuming an extra 40 m3/sec or so of water. A mere drop in the bucket compared to what is coming down the river right now.

I also know that Vanderhoof flooded *every* spring before that dam was built (we are built on a flood plain, you know), so I do believe Alcan is doing its best to minimize the flooding. I'm sure there will also be a heap of lessons learned about water management once this year is over.