Melting snow, hot weather lead to high stream flow advisory for Fraser River

MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) – Following weeks of heavy rain and a melting snowpack the BC River Forecast Centre has issued a high stream flow advisory for the Fraser River. The warning includes the main stem of the river from the Fraser Canyon downstream all the way to the ocean.

The provincial agency says river levels have been rising in response to hot temperatures and rapid snowmelt in the Fraser River basin. Run-off from hot temperatures this past weekend and earlier this week are expected to lead to additional rapid rises along the lower Fraser River from today to Saturday.

“Flows at the Fraser River in Hope are expected to reach 9500-10,000 cubic metres per second by Friday and into Saturday. This is between a two-year and five-year return period flow and below flow levels that were observed in 2007 and 2012. Low-lying areas on the river side of flood protection infrastructure have previously been impacted by flows at the Fraser River at Hope in the 9,000 m3/s to 10,000 m3/s range,” the centre says in a statement.

Water levels at the Fraser River in Mission are forecasted to reach 5.9-6.05m over the Sunday to Tuesday period. “Local impacts of these water levels are dependent on flood protection infrastructure and other measures put in place by local authorities. Local governments along the Lower Fraser River may provide additional information to potentially impacted residents,” adds the centre.

After reaching peak levels this weekend, flows are expected to recede slowly next week.

The River Forecast Centre says it’s monitoring the situation closely and will update this advisory as water levels flow.

In response, the City of Maple Ridge has already started regular dyke inspections as levels begin to spike. Staff says once water levels hit six metres at the Mission gauge then daily inspections will take place until the water goes back down.

“As the BC River Forecast centre noted, the Fraser River has not been at this level for a few years, so a lot of debris that gathered on the shoreline has been picked up and is sweeping down toward the ocean. The combination of the high flow rate and debris poses a risk for citizens who use the river for recreation,” says Patrick Cullen, emergency program coordinator for the City of Maple Ridge.

He’s warning people to be really careful if they plan on heading to or being on the water. “People who use the river for recreational boating or paddling need to exercise great caution. Citizens who walk or hike along the river should also be careful, especially with off leash pets, as the river currents quickly overcome even experienced swimmers. Debris that’s been piled up along the river has now been picked up and it’s coming down the river. So, just for recreational boaters to take extra precaution while they’re out on the Fraser River and just to watch out for that debris so they can avoid any accidents.”

Flood watches have now been posted for the North and South Thompson rivers and the Thompson River through Kamloops, along with the Shuswap and Eagle rivers, while flood watches remain up for the Slocan, Kettle, Granby and Salmon rivers.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been rescinded for the Boundary region and a thunderstorm watch is in place for the Okanagan Valley.

NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate says this June is looking slightly cooler than normal with above average rainfall expected.