The River Forecast Centre has issued a flood watch for the Nechako River and a high streamflow advisory for the upper Fraser River and the Chilcotin.
Ongoing snowmelt runoff in west-central British Columbia has led to slow and steady rising on the Nechako River and its tributaries. Rainfall over the past day has been significant in areas across the Nechako watershed and tributaries, with 20-40 mm of total precipitation observed since yesterday. This is leading to sharp rises in streamflow in areas.
Current flows on at the Nechako River near Vanderhoof (Water Survey of Canada gauge 08JC001) are at 454 m 3 /s (between a two-year and five-year flow) and has risen six centimetres since yesterday. Downstream towards Prince George, the Nechako River at Isle Pierre (08JC002) is flowing above 720 m3/s (nearing a five-year flow) and rising.
Rising flows are expected today, with flows up to 550 m 3 /s at the Vanderhoof gauge, or above 800 m3 /s at the Isle Pierre gauge being possible by later today or tomorrow.
The public is advised to stay clear of the fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks
during the high-streamflow period. Be prepared and know your hazards. The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor the conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant.