Nicola Lake.
Image Credit: Google Maps Street View
April 26, 2016 - 11:17 AM
MERRITT - As water levels at Nicola Lake and Nicola River continue to rise due to rapid snowmelt and warm weather, the public is being asked to remain cautious near waterways.
The dam at Nicola Lake, which is owned and operated by the ministry in charge of natural resource operations, is used to help regulate water levels on the lake. The lake level was lowered in March and has been releasing ‘higher-than-normal’ rates of water into Nicola River since.
The ministry says rapid snowmelt and recent heavy rain have caused the lake to reach a full supply level and is expected to keep rising over the next week to 10 days, leading to high flows on Nicola River from the lake to Merritt.
Some shoreline flooding is expected along the lake and people are advised to prepare for possible flooding in low-lying areas. The ministry warns river banks may also be unstable and prone to sudden collapse.
A high streamflow advisory, issued for much of the Southern Interior last week, ended yesterday.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2016