If you think we’ve had a lot of rain, you’re right and the Fraser River water levels are testament to that fact.
Monday, the BC River Forecast Centre issued a flood warning for the Upper Fraser River including Quesnel, based on information supplied by the water gauge located at Marguerite, south of Quesnel.
“Given the water level in Prince George is cresting, the lag time to flow to the Marguerite site is about 18 hours,” BC River Forecast Centre hydrologist Luanne Chew said.
“That would put the crest in Quesnel sometime tomorrow (Tuesday.)”
She added they expect the Fraser River near Marguerite to peak between a five and 10-year return flow.
City of Quesnel’s communications supervisor Matt Wood reported the city measuring system registered 471.3 metres above sea level Monday afternoon. However, as of Tuesday morning the level had dropped to 471.2 m.
He said the city has trigger levels with 471.5 m being the trigger for an evacuation alert for low-lying Bartels trailer park residents.
At 471.8 m a State of Emergency is declared and at 472 m, Emergency Operations Centre activities rise to level 2 which translates to more mobilization, evacuation alerts to areas along North Fraser Drive, West Park Mall and parts of Rolph Street.
“Given this is expected to be a short flooding event with a defined crest, some trigger points may change,” he said.
On Monday, the city closed the North Fraser Drive Loop on the west side with traffic access available via the Elliott Street exit onto the Moffat Bridge; actions already taken this spring include closing low-lying sections of the Riverfront Trail on the east side of the Fraser River; closing the Johnston Loop, with traffic access available through the Davie Street railway crossing; and they continue to monitor water levels.
This current high-water situation is caused by the amount of rain the area has experienced.
Chew said all the monitoring sites for snow melt between 1,500 – 1,800 metre levels report the snow has melted.
“Any snow at higher elevations is not measured, much of which remains in place year round,
depending on the area,” she said.
“The primary source of this run off is heavy rain.”
She added this peak water level is later than normal.
“It’s likely associated with La Nina, resulting in cooler temperatures and also wetter conditions,” Chew said.
“La Nina was weakening over the late spring and temperatures are back to normal but there could be some lingering affects.”
Cariboo Regional District has no plans to respond to the current flood warning.
The only time CRD activates Emergency Operations Centre is when area residents are impacted, CRD’s manager of communications Shelly Burich said.
“This is in response to residents or other agencies reporting problems.”