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Fraser River level swells |
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Written by FRANK PEEBLES
Citizen staff
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Monday, 19 May 2008 |
Surging waters on the Fraser River rise to nearly the level of the construction deck for the new Simon Fraser Bridge. (Citizen staff photoSurging waters on the Fraser River rise to nearly the level of the construction deck for the new Simon Fraser Bridge.)
“The Fraser is expected to reach 9.0 metres at the South Fort George river gauge area by midnight (Monday) and maintain that level until Tuesday morning, when levels will start dropping slowly,” said Prince George Fire Rescue Service Deputy Chief John Lane.
“At 9.0 metres, the City may experience localized flooding along unprotected stretches of the Fraser River.”
The reason for the massive influx of water to the valleys is cold weather this spring built up above-normal snowpacks, hot weather arrived at temperatures over the weekend and broke records in some parts of the north, and was followed by significant rainfall.
The provincial government issued a high streamflow advisory for the Willow River on Saturday, warning of possible minor flooding in low-lying areas and rapid growth in the force of the river. A similar advisory warned residents in the Chetwynd area that the Pine River was also swollen to near-peak levels from a year ago.
The Nechako, much wider and more voluminous than the other tributaries into the Fraser, has also been on a steady glide upwards since at least May 12. At the Isle Pierre monitoring station, it went from Friday’s level of 3.1 metres to 3.3 metres and was still climbing.
Officials said that the quick pace of these rivers, combined with their growing depth and the simple fact that the water was snow a few days earlier makes conditions treacherous should anyone fall in. A similar effect happens in moving water as happens in the air with windchill: the faster the water moves, the colder its effect on the body and it is barely above freezing in many waterways.
The River Forecast Centre said on Monday that, “temperatures have dropped significantly today from their highs over the weekend, and are expected to be near normal, or even slightly cooler than normal Tuesday and Wednesday.”
However, they added, “A frontal system is pushing into B.C. from the Pacific, and will produce rain showers throughout the south and central interior, beginning tonight and lasting through Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. Forecast amounts are low, generally five to 10 mm over 24 hours, with potential for localized heavier amounts. River levels could rise again, depending on the amount of rainfall received in individual river basins.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 19 May 2008 )
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i hope not