Flood Watches Across the Shuswap
By Jo Anne Malpass
As the Kicker went to press, Shuswap Lake level was expected to peak before delivery day. The level had gone down .0002m on July 27 but there was the potential that thunderstorms forecast for Tuesday could increase localized flooding.
The BC River Forecast Centre was maintaining the flood watch for the South Thompson River (including Shuswap Lake). The Thompson River from Kamloops to Spences Bridge, was still under flood watch but the North Thompson River and Nicola River had been downgraded to a high stream advisory.
A Flood Watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur. A High Streamflow Advisory means that river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) closed some waterfront parks, including Wharf Road Park in Scotch Creek because of the high lake level. Little Shuswap Lake Band issued an evacuation order on June 22 for two properties on the Little Shuswap, south of Quaaout Lodge, adjacent to Little River “due to imminent danger to life caused by flooding,” with properties in other Band areas, including Hilliam frontage in Scotch Creek, on alert.
With river and lake levels increasing, the Shuswap Emergency Program had activated its Emergency Operations Centre to assist with flood preparations. Sandbags and sand were available at 23 locations and BC Wildfire Service had assisted with sandbagging of critical infrastructure in Salmon Arm and Sicamous.
Wharf Road Park in Scotch Creek was one of the areas affected by Shuswap Lake high water levels. Kicker staff photo
A Flood Watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur. A High Streamflow Advisory means that river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) closed some waterfront parks, including Wharf Road Park in Scotch Creek because of the high lake level. Little Shuswap Lake Band issued an evacuation order on June 22 for two properties on the Little Shuswap, south of Quaaout Lodge, adjacent to Little River “due to imminent danger to life caused by flooding,” with properties in other Band areas, including Hilliam frontage in Scotch Creek, on alert.
With river and lake levels increasing, the Shuswap Emergency Program had activated its Emergency Operations Centre to assist with flood preparations. Sandbags and sand were available at 23 locations and BC Wildfire Service had assisted with sandbagging of critical infrastructure in Salmon Arm and Sicamous.
On June 27, the lake was at 348.944 meters, and it was still possible for the lake to approach flood levels seen in 2018 at 349.141 m, but not the 2012 peak of 349.588 m. Derek Sutherland, team leader CSRD Protective Services explained that at 349.2m, water gets into downtown Sicamous.
The CSRD reported that predicted rainfall, forecasted high temperatures and variable rates of snow melt are making it difficult to predict when the lake will peak. The level reached over the June 25 weekend could push higher, depending on rainfall.
BC River Forecast Centre reported on June 27, that for most rivers in the region, peak river levels occurred over the past few days. Snowmelt flood risks may be subsiding as snow coverage across watersheds has become diminished. While rivers remain full and at capacity, they will continue to remain vulnerable to additional runoff, particularly from the potential thundershowers on Tuesday into Wednesday.
South Thompson River at Chase is flowing at approximately 1300 m3/s (10-year flow) and has levelled off. While snowmelt runoff is expected to have reached a maximum for the year, the river is expected to remain elevated and vulnerable to additional inputs from rainfall that could lead to additional river rises.
Thompson River at Kamloops reached a peak level June 25 of 7.78 m and has since dropped 15-20 cm but will remain vulnerable if flows come back up in the North and South Thompson tributaries.
The Shuswap Emergency Program reminds residents to be cautious around water, especially as the lake temperature remains very cold and high water is expected to last well into July. Fast-flowing creeks and rivers also pose a safety hazard. Please keep away from riverbanks and closely monitor children and pets.
