The provincial government's River Forecast Centre has issued a high stream flow advisory for the Nechako River at Isle Pierre down to the confluence with the Fraser River.
"Local residents are reminded to stay clear of streams during the spring runoff period due to highly saturated and unstable riverbank conditions and swiftly flowing water," the Centre said in the advisory, issued late Thursday afternoon.
"Livestock and other possessions of value should be moved to higher terrain if possible."
Flows at Isle Pierre were at 845 cubic metres per second and were expected to reach 915 cubic metres per second by Monday and to continue to rise through next week.
And by Monday, the Fraser's level at South Fort George was expected to reach 8.63 metres. The height for flood alert level at the location is 9.4 metres.
As of mid-May most regions in the province had either average or well-below average snowpacks, the exception being the Nechako basin, which stood at 122 per cent, according to the Centre.
On top of that, the warm weather has led to rapid snowmelt.
The high water has pestered Vanderhoof for most of the month now and is expected to remain for some time yet as Rio Tinto continues to release water from the Nechako Reservoir.
By Saturday, the river's flow was expected to reach 600 cubic metres per second at Vanderhoof and lead to flooding in the community's Riverside Park as well as in some basements in the community of 4,500 people located 100 km west of Prince George.
Likewise, snow melt in the range of 20 to 40 mm per day have led to steady rises in the Nautley, Stellako and Stuart rivers this past week.
"Temperatures are expected to be seasonally warm through the weekend and there is potential for isolated thunderstorms due to continued convective activity in the Nechako region," the Centre said. "Rain totals may be in the five to 10 mm range over the next two days and will diminish over the weekend with drier and warmer conditions expected next week.
In an interview this week, Vanderhoof mayor Gerry Thiessen said there is a concern the high water will last throughout the summer. He also noted that the Nechako is the only river generating hydroelectric power that doesn't have a water management plan.
"And so we don't have input into where this water is. Should we put more in it sometimes? Should we put less in it sometimes?" Thiessen said.
Nechako-Lakes MLA John Rustad said the possibility of bringing the community into the decision-making process in some way is something he would like to pursue.
"There are legal obligations that could limit that ability but I still think of it as something that would be proactive," Rustad said.
In a statement, Rio Tinto said it is managing the reservoir and flows into the Neachko to minimize overall risks and impacts of flooding and is in constant communication with the B.C. Water Comptroller and is sharing information with local governments.
Up to date water flow levels can be found at www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca.
