Rain stops, sun is out, water levels receding but North Thompson still running high

Posted on June 1, 2014 in City // 0 Comments

This home on North Thompson River north of Westsyde
was cut off as water table rose beside river. The homeowners
had to have gravel trucked in to raise
the level of their driveway.

NEWS — The end of the rain and the appearance of the sun should provide some relief for those living close to rivers and lakes but they shouldn’t get too comfortable, say government agencies monitoring the situation.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre has cancelled a high streamflow advisory for the Clearwater and Quesnel Rivers and, while river levels remain high, they’re receding.

A flood watch for the North Thompson was lifted earlier in the week but the McLure and Little Fort ferries are still out of service.

Levels are expected to continue to ease through the end of next week. Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures to rise into the high 20s.

In the Shuswap, a chance of high water course flows is forecast if the snow melt occurs quickly. The snow level remains higher than average for this time of year between Vernon and Salmon Arm.

The river forecast centre predicts Shuswap Lake will peak in two weeks at a little under 348m, about the same levels as in 2011 and 2013. The Shuswap Emergency Program is advising residents who live beside creeks, rivers or the lake to protect their buildings and property before a high water event occurs.

Sand bags can be picked up at the Salmon Arm public works yard.