High Streamflow Advisory issued for BC Interior

Courtesy of the BC River Forecast Centre:

High Streamflow Advisory – B.C. Interior

Issued: 2:15 PM April 26, 2023

The River Forecast Centre is issuing a High Streamflow Advisory for the B.C. Interior including:

• Upper Fraser including plateau areas around Prince George (including Chilako River, Chuchinka River, Salmon River and surrounding areas)
• Middle Fraser including plateau areas around Quesnel and Williams Lake (including Nazko River, West Road River, Baker Creek, Cottonwood River, San Jose River and surrounding areas)
• South Interior including Lower Thompson, Salmon River and Okanagan (including Cache Creek and surrounding areas)

Weather Synopsis:

A strong upper ridge is forecast to build across B.C. on Thursday and into the weekend. Temperatures are expected to rise to well above normal (+10°C above normal), with temperatures by Saturday reaching up to 23°C in northern areas (Prince George) and 27°C in the Okanagan (Kelowna). Temperatures are forecast to remain high on Sunday, and ease slightly into next week. A low-pressure trough may bring precipitation to the region next week.

River Conditions:

In most of the higher elevation terrain across the province, the snowpack has not ripened and much of the energy associated with the upcoming warming is expected to be absorbed into snow ripening. At mid-elevations (approximately 900-1500m) snowpacks have ripened and are expected to respond with sharp rises in snowmelt rates over the weekend.
River responses will be variable across the region, with watersheds containing a high degree of mid-elevation terrain expected to have the most significant increase in river levels over the weekend. This includes rivers such as the Salmon River (near Prince George), Chuchinka River, Chilako River, Cottonwood River, Baker Creek, Nazko River, West Road (Blackwater) River, San Jose River, Bridge Creek, Cache Creek, Bonaparte River, Guichon Creek, Salmon River (near Falkland and Salmon Arm), Whiteman Creek, Inkaneep Creek, and similar creeks and rivers across the region. Extremely high flows, including potential flooding, is possible over the weekend in these areas.

The public is advised:

River levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly. Being near these riverbanks, creeks and fast-flowing bodies of water is dangerous:

• Stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks
• Avoid recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, boating or hiking near high streamflow rivers or streams
• Remember, high streamflow can easily trap strong swimmers, increasing risk of drowning

During a High Streamflow Advisory, conditions can change quickly. Understand the risks and get prepared by visiting www.PreparedBC/floods

The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor the conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant.

BC River Forecast Centre

Ministry of Forests