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Flood hazard study launched on Hawkes Creek watershed

Xatśūll engages Urban Systems
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The rushing waters of Hawkes Creek resulted in the closure of the Williams Lake Cut Off Road after a bridge was compromised last spring. (Steve Forseth Facebook photo)

Immediate flood risks are being assessed on Hawkes Creek near Williams Lake.

The Xatśūll First Nation (Soda Creek Indian Band) is undertaking a flood hazard study on the Hawkes Creek watershed as part of the Xatśūll Community Recovery Freshet.

Until the end of March, an engineer land surveyor with Urban Systems will assess immediate risks in the areas of Hawkes Creek Bridge, Sonny Lane, Old Mckenzie Road and South Mountain House Road.

Read More: ‘This is crazy’: flooding at nine-mile dip closes Likely Road

Spring flooding last April resulted in the closure of Williams Lake Cut Off Road north of Williams Lake near Xat’sull Heritage Village due to the bridge at Hawkes Creek being compromised. Hawkes Creek also washed out Likely Road at the nine-kilometre mark.

While the magnitude and location of potential flooding is dependent on weather conditions from April through June, the B.C. River Forecast notes the risk of spring flooding is elevated this year due to an above-normal snowpack across the province.

Read More: Williams Lake First Nation preparing for flooding



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