Open Channel Remains, Despite The Cold

By 250 News

Open channels in the Nechako River, with River Road in the background

Prince George, B.C. -  Despite the deep freeze being experienced this week, the open channels in the lower Nechako River continue to flow freely...

The picture above was taken from PG Pulpmill Road.  There are actually two openings, the one visible in the foreground, an island of ice, and another channel on the far side where huge portions of the ice along the bank of River Road are now giving way and falling in.

The warm water pipeline from Canfor's Intercon pumpstation is further downstream, closer to the river's confluence with the Fraser.  (click here for previous story)

The City's Public Information Officer, Don Schaffer, says the open channel now extends approximately 7.5-kilometres, from Stevens Drive in the Nechako to the CN Rail bridge in the Fraser.

It's hoped the warm water system will keep that channel open until spring, allowing the fast flowing water to move under any surface ice on the Fraser and on down the river.

Meantime, Schaffer says the City continues to keep a watchful eye on river levels in the Morning Place area.  He says there is some pumping of water that is seeping behind the gabion diking that was installed last week, and one residence's basement is being pumped.

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