A high streamflow advisory has been issued for the Fraser River near Prince George, as well as other parts of British Columbia’s Interior, where rivers are rising rapidly due to warm temperatures and accelerated snowmelt.
The advisory was released by the River Forecast Centre under the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. It covers the North Thompson (newly added), Upper Fraser East (upstream of Prince George), Upper Columbia and West Kootenay regions.
A ridge of high pressure earlier last week brought seasonally warm weather across much of the province, triggering increased snowmelt. While temperatures temporarily eased, they are forecast to rise again Friday as another short-lived high-pressure system moves in.
Valley temperatures are expected to reach the mid- to upper 20s C in communities including Kamloops, Clearwater, Revelstoke and Golden.
Rain was in the weekend forecast, with five to 30 millimetres of rain possible in parts of the Interior. The Cariboo Mountains, Rocky Mountains and Columbia Ranges, including the North Thompson, Upper Fraser and Upper Columbia, were expected to receive the most precipitation.
Rivers across the affected areas have risen sharply over the past several days and are expected to remain high through the weekend. Officials say additional rainfall could cause rivers to rise further.
Flows may reach levels seen only every two to five years, particularly in small, high-elevation watersheds or areas receiving significant rainfall, the advisory states.
Advisory areas of concern include:
- Tributaries of the Fraser River upstream of Prince George
- North Thompson River
- Upper Columbia River
- West Kootenay rivers
The River Forecast Centre says no major flooding is expected at this time, but fast-flowing rivers pose a safety risk and minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible. The public is advised to stay clear of fast-moving water and unstable riverbanks.
The situation continues to be monitored, and further updates will be issued as needed.
Streamflow advisory levels:
- High streamflow advisory: Rivers are rising rapidly; no major flooding is expected, but conditions could deteriorate
- Flood watch: Rivers may approach or exceed their banks; localized flooding is possible
- Flood warning: Rivers have exceeded or are expected to exceed their banks; flooding is anticipated in affected areas
For more information on flood preparedness, visit PreparedBC.
