A flood watch is in place for the Bella Coola River and tributaries, including the Atnarko River and surrounding areas.
Additionally, a high streamflow advisory remains in place for the Dean River.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for the region Tuesday, May 16, indicating the Central Coast is experiencing unseasonably hot weather.
Hot temperatures are forecasted to last through the week with temperatures in the upper 20s to 30°C, with overnight lows in the mid teens.
Freezing levels will remain high throughout this event leading to increased snowpack melting with possible local flooding due to high stream flow levels.
Stream flow in the Central Coast, Nuxalk Territory, and Tsilhqot’in Territory have been rising due to snowmelt.
The BC River Forecast notes the current flows at Dean River below Tanswanket Creek (Water Survey of Canada gauge 08FC003) is flowing at approximately 157 m3/s (between a 2-year and 5-year flow).
Flows on the Bella Coola River above Hammer Creek (08FB011) is currently at 420 m3/s and rising (approaching a 2-year flow).
Flows are forecast to reach 5-year to 10-year levels by Tuesday, May 16 or Wednesday, May 17, with additional rises up to 10-year to 20-year flows) possible by later in the week.
Environment Canada notes while the developing heat may result in daily temperature records being broken, it must be emphasized that the expected hot conditions will not approach those reached during the “Heat Dome” of late June 2021.
River levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly. Being near these riverbanks, creeks and fast flowing bodies of water is dangerous: and the public is advised to stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks and avoid recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, boating or hiking near high streamflow rivers or streams.
monica.lamb-yorski@wltribune.com
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