Ice Jam On Nechako Hits Vanderhoof Farmer

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C.- An ice jam on the Nechako River near Vanderhoof  (105 km west of Prince George) is causing concern for an area farmer. Water has spilled over the top of the bank and has now cut a new path through his field which is causing a substantial damage to crop bearing property.

In the town of Vanderhoof, there are no new reports of the ice jam causing any flooding of the nature that occurred earlier this year in that community.

A bridge on the Stony Creek Road was in danger as a result of the backup water recently but beyond that, residents say there has been no damage.

In its weekly report Alcan says that the snow pack in the upper reaches of the Nechako is at 100% of normal.

Alcan (Rio Tinto) has been spilling 84.1 cubic meters of water through the spillway. Normally at this time of the year in regular winters, that figure would be 29.5 cubic meters as outlined in the settlement agreement. On December 6, the level of the reservoir was at 2798.54 feet, which is near capacity .

It is not known whether Alcan is being forced to spill more water because it is unable to divert it through the Kemano hydro electric generators. We are attempting to reach company officials .

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