Friday, June 3, 2022

Flood Watch for Bulkley River, High Streamflow Advisory for Skeena, Stikine and Liard in latest update from River Forecast Centre


Steady warming and the prospect of up to 50 mm of rain for the Coast Mountains and headwaters of the Bulkley River made for an upgrade to the River Forecast Centre observations for the Northwest.

With the most recent statement putting a Flood Watch in place for the Bulkley River and surrounding tributaries of Telkwa and Smithers.

As a result the Town of Smithers has issued an Evacuation Alert for some low lying areas of that community.

The same conditions have also see a High Streamflow Advisory remain in place for the following Rivers and tributaries 

Skeena River including the Bulkley River and surrounding tributaries around Telkwa, Smithers, Hazelton, Kispiox, and Terrace 

Tributaries of the Stikine River, including streams and rivers around Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek 

Liard River including tributaries around Fort Nelson and Highway 97 towards Watson Lake

The advisory also notes that: River levels are expected to experience rapid rises on Friday and into Saturday in response to the rainfall. Current hydrologic modelling is indicating the potential for flows to reach flood levels through the Bulkley Valley. 

High flows are anticipated on the Skeena River on Saturday and Sunday; at this point there is a higher degree of uncertainty whether flows will reach flood stage. 

Additional rainfall later in the weekend and into next week may continue to keep river levels high into next week. 

The Full statement can  be reviewed here

Follow the River Forecast Centre here, for further notes through the weekend.

So far, the situation has not affected plans for the Skeena River Relay which is set to take place along Highway 16 tomorrow, with the latest update on that event was issued earlier today.

For updates on the ongoing flood watch you can review our archive page here, which provides for notes from many of the communities of the Northwest that will be impacted by the current rising waters of the region.

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