Riverside Park in Kamloops
Image Credit: Shannon Ainslie
June 19, 2022 - 2:17 PM
A high streamflow advisory has been upgraded to a flood watch for the South Thompson River this afternoon.
The flood watch includes the Shuswap with the South Thompson River tributaries, Seymour River, Eagle River, Adams River, Shuswap River and surrounding tributaries and lakes, the North Thompson River including tributaries around Barriere and Clearwater, the Cariboo Mountains and tributaries flowing westward including the Quesnel River, Quesnel Lake and Horsefly River and surrounding tributaries.
A high streamflow advisory is also in effect for the Thompson River from Kamloops to Spences Bridge and the Nicola River.
“Rivers in the region are flowing very high for this time year and are extremely vulnerable to a heavy rainfall event. An upcoming major concern is the weather forecast for a potential long-lasting rain event in the headwaters of the South Thompson, North Thompson and Cariboo Mountains beginning late Tuesday through Wednesday,” according to the centre’s statement, June 19.
The North Thompson River at McLure is currently flowing at 1940 m3/s (between a 2-year and 5-year flow) and receding slowly. The river could reach above 2500 m3/s (between 20-year and 50-year flow) later this week due to rainfall, according to the centre.
A high streamflow advisory means river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly but that no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
A flood watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed their banks.
More information can be found on the B.C. Forecast Centre’s website.
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