Metro Vancouver crews are monitoring the Capilano Canyon after a rock slide between North Vancouver’s Cleveland Dam and the Capilano River.
The rock slide was reported to the regional authority on Thursday, and there are no impacts to dam safety, river levels or flows, says Brant Arnold-Smith, manager of emergency management with Metro Vancouver.
“Our crews monitor that area because it is prone to rock slides,” Arnold-Smith said. “At this time, there is no threat to public safety.”
There is also no risk salmon and wildlife, he says, as water continues to flow through the rock slide.
Crews found evidence of a slide that happened decades ago, as well as new small rocks that fell from the east canyon wall. It’s rare for the area to receive a rock slide of this size, says Arnold-Smith.
Metro Vancouver is working with the ḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the North Shore municipalities and the Capilano River Hatchery to monitor the situation.
A number of natural factors cause rock slides, such as rain, freezing and thawing, erosion and root growth within the rock, Arnold-Smith said.
While river conditions remain stable, the regional authority urges the public to exercise caution when near the river.
Arnold-Smith says crews will assess the area and remove material out of the river to prevent any blockage.
If another slide were to occur, water can be released from the dam to increase river flow and protect salmon, he said.
Geotechnical assessments will take place over the next few days or weeks.
Capilano River Regional Park is still open to the public.