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FLOOD WATCH

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
BC River Forecast Centre
 

UPDATE ‐ Flood Watch: Bulkley River
Issued: 19May2011 7:00 AM


The BC River Forecast Centre maintaining a Flood Watch for the Bulkley River (Houston, Quick, Smithers and surrounding areas).
Heavy precipitation fell Tuesday and early Wednesday throughout the West Central Interior. Precipitation rates were the highest through the Burns Lake and upper Bulkley River areas, with 24‐hour precipitation amounts reaching 50mm in some areas. Freezing levels were low, and precipitation around the 1100m and above fell as snow.


The Bulkley River rose through Tuesday and Wednesday. At the Bulkley River near Houston (WSC 08EE003), water level has been levelling off at 3.55m. River levels at the Bulkley at Quick (08EE004) have lowered 0.1m from a peak earlier Wednesday of 2.12m, and a discharge of 625 m3/s. This is approximately a 5‐year flow. The Bulkley near Smithers (08EE005) has levelled off at 4.70m.
Water levels are expected to remain level early Thursday for the Bulkley River near Houston, and recede through the afternoon and evening. Water levels are expected to recede through Thursday for the Bulkley River at Quick and Bulkley River near Smithers.


Environment Canada forecasts warmer temperatures through the region today and tomorrow. Snowmelt over Thursday and Friday is expected to keep river levels elevated into the weekend. At this point, the warm weather window appears to be short enough (2 days) that significant water level increases beyond current river levels is not expected. This outlook could change if melt rates are higher than expected.
The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will provide an update as conditions warrant.

 

The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will provide an update as conditions warrant.

 

A High Streamflow Advisory means that 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 bankfull. Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.


A Flood Warning means that river levels have exceeded bankfull or will exceed bankfull imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.
 

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