Ice Jam Update Delivered to Council

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. - The  ice jam on the Nechako River continues to grow but  while water levels within city limits have risen and fallen  over the past couple of days, there has been no new  flooding. 

In the update delivered to Prince George City Council,  Emergency Operations Chief, (Fire Chief) Jeff Rowland says the Fraser River is nearly  frozen over, but the channel cut open by the amphibex remains  open.

Rowland says there is an open lead of water  up to about Stevens Road,  west of that, the river is  jammed up, although there is no indication  of rising  water levels.

"There is certainly a lot of ice up stream," says Rowland, and with warmer weather on the way , they continue to monitor the situation. "We will fly the river twice a week and will have an update in another week or two."

Bob Radloff,  Manager of Development Services, says some of the works done  for mid term  mitigation include the warm water  option.  The warm water will be dischargedinto the lower reaches of the Nechako "The lower reaches continue to be an achilles heal and we would like to keep the channels  open that the Amphibex had cleared."

Radloff says the  raising of River Road is complete and  access to  properties  is of  a safe gradient  "All were designed by Mcelhaney  and Associates."   The height of river road, and the access ramps were a major concern to  some of the industries on River Road.

The 14 month study to  determine long term risk and  the design of mitigation works  will look at the hydrology  of not only the Nechako, but  the Fraser River as well.  "We are committed to looking at all solutions " says Radloff, who adds that will include the potential for dredging,  permanent dikes and pumping stations, and long term land use changes.

Councilor Murry Krause, who is one of the people forced from  their  homes because of the flooding, recognized it will take time for the long term measures to come to fruition, but asked what  is planned to prevent similar problems  next  winter. Radloff  says the earth berms will remain in place until permanent  solutions are identified and  completed.  Chief Rowland says the gabion dikes will remain in place until the spring freshet  is over.

Councilor Don Bassermann says while there are some who are quick to critisize the  14 month  time frame, he  offers a reminder, "This is a very big construction project,  there is a construction  season, there are multiple overlays of  involvement, the City, the  provincial and federal governments,  then add another overlay of the public interest. While we appreciate the frustration , when you take that all into consideration its amazing we can get it done in 14 months, so please understand this is a big piece of work and we need to understand what we are asking people to do here."

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