Ice stable, city deactivates emergency centre

Ongoing stability of the ice cover on the Fraser and Nechako Rivers through Prince George has led the city to de-activate its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

The centre was activated on December 15 in response to rising river levels and a build-up of ice at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers. At the time, water flows in the Nechako were approximately 200 cubic metres per second.

Daily monitoring is revealing that numerous open channels remain on both the Nechako and Fraser. River flows in the Nechako are now estimated at 180 cubic metres per second. Water levels through the holidays were stable and have been dropping slightly from mid-December levels. The return of cold temperatures has lengthened the ice cover on the Nechako to about 23km up from the confluence and outside of the city limits.

Cottonwood Island Park and the Heritage River Trail remain temporarily closed to the public due to ongoing concerns relating to the provision of access to the riverfront.

While the operation of the Emergency Operations Centre has been suspended, the city’s public works staff will continue daily monitoring of the Nechako at a variety of locations. This information will be reviewed to determine if the centre needs to be re-activated in the future.