Flooding At Head of Icejam, Surge at Lower End

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

Prince George, B.C. -  Groundwater began to seep into the basements of some homes along Morning Place in Prince George late this afternoon...

The City’s Public Liaison Officer, Kevin Brown, says water levels in the Nechako River have been rising behind the head of the icejam all day and, late this afternoon, it began to seep under the double-high gabion diking and pool in the backyards and basements of homes in the area. 

He says, so far, the flooding has been minimal.  While residents in seven homes in Morning Place have been on evacuation alert since the end of last month, Brown says no one is being asked to leave their homes at this point.  He says city crews have been preparing a large pump to begin draining the water back into the river.

Meanwhile, another major event took place downriver.  The Liaison Officer says a significant "ice shift and water surge" occurred.  He says some observers say they heard what sounded like a cannon go off and then large pieces of ice rushed downriver in the fast-moving open water.

Brown says the Amphibex was working close to the Cameron Street Bridge at the time and was able to retreat to a safe spot out of the main channel.  "We now have a longer, wider open channel in the lower Nechako, which has helped to drop water levels substantially."  The channel is now approximately five-kilometres long and up to 50-metres wide in some spots.

The photo above shows the Amphibex working its way alongside Brink Forests Products on River Road earlier today.  (photo courtesy of the City of Prince George)

Brown says the build-up of water at the head of the jam is troubling, "Sooner or later, the existing icejam and high water upriver has to give way."

"At least we have some place for that water to go now (with the open channel in the lower Nechako)."  And Brown is hopeful preventative measures taken should minimize the impact of any surge, but he says it’s impossible to predict Mother Nature.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us