A surge of water that breached a massive landslide blocking the Chilcotin River is moving down the Fraser River into British Columbia’s Lower Mainland today.
Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says the fast-flowing waters are forecast to raise river levels by about a metre at Hope, B.C., about 150 kilometres east of Vancouver.
She says the river levels will be similar to spring runoff conditions on the Fraser River, but there is potential danger from trees and other floating debris.
The Metro Vancouver cities of Maple Ridge and New Westminster have closed public access areas alongside the river as a precautionary measure.
Port Haney Wharf dock & Emmeline Mohun Park pathway closed as debris from Chilcotin River landslide move downstream to Fraser River. High Streamflow Advisory in effect. Avoid fast waters, unstable banks; keep pets & kids close. <a href=”https://t.co/FOjHfHu7Wd”>https://t.co/FOjHfHu7Wd</a> & <a href=”https://t.co/SzEOR3neDc”>https://t.co/SzEOR3neDc</a> <a href=”https://t.co/ASH724l52R”>pic.twitter.com/ASH724l52R</a>
—@YourMapleRidge
The boardwalk has been closed until further notice in response to the fast-moving water and expected debris in the river resulting from the Wednesday’s landslide. Please continue to exercise caution around the river as conditions may change suddenly. <a href=”https://t.co/AvBEQaWIq7″>https://t.co/AvBEQaWIq7</a> <a href=”https://t.co/00FPWPLbEe”>pic.twitter.com/00FPWPLbEe</a>
—@New_Westminster
A landslide last week at Farwell Canyon, located about 22 kilometres south of Williams Lake in B.C.’s Cariboo region, dammed the Chilcotin River and created a lake about 11 kilometres long behind the slide.
Water started flowing over the top of the landslide on Monday and soon became a surging torrent that ripped away river banks and carried off at least one heritage cabin.
A vacant cabin was destroyed Tuesday as the Chilcotin River surged following a landslide, according to the Tŝilqot’in National Government.
Indigenous leaders have raised concerns about the consequences of the flooding and river debris for this year’s salmon run up the Fraser River and its tributaries, which is expected to begin soon.
Water and debris surged down the Fraser River Tuesday after water breached a natural dam, caused by a landslide, upstream in the Chilcotin River. As Yasmine Ghania reports, multiple emergency alerts have been issued, and debris is forecast to make its way to the Lower Mainland by Tuesday night.