Signs in the water near Riverside Park covered by the high water, May 31, 2017.

(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - Boat launches across Kamloops are being shut down as the streamflow advisory on the rivers has been elevated to a flood watch.

The City of Kamloops is closing boat launches at Pioneer Park, McArthur Island and Thompson Drive due to concerns about river levels as the Thompson Rivers rise. Boating on the area rivers in general is not recommended, according to a city press release.

The City says due to the high water, boats may not be able to even pass under the rail bridge over the South Thompson River.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre has put the North and South Thompson Rivers on flood watch, upgrading it from a high streamflow advisory. This means the rivers may rise above the river banks sometime soon. The North Thompson River is between a five and 10 year high and still rising while the South Thompson River hasn't reached that point, but is expected to this weekend. High temperatures melting snow and rainfall upstream are expected to keep the rivers rising.

The City has also closed Rivers Trail between Riverside Park and Pioneer Park due to flooding along the path and the pier at Riverside Park is closed because of the high water. Other precautions have been taken to protect local infrastructure as well.

The North Thompson River is expected to crest this weekend, the City says. The South Thompson River will likely crest in two weeks. More measures may be taken to protect the city from flooding.

For residents in low lying areas concerned about the high water, sandbags are available at local fire stations.

Rivers Trail between Riverside Park and Pioneer Park has been flooded.

(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

– This story was updated at 11 a.m. June 1, 2017 to add information from the B.C River Forecast Centre.

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