FLOOD WARNING issued again for Kettle River and Boundary region rivers and creeks
By Boundary Sentinel
The BC River Forecast Centre is maintaining a flood watch for the West Kettle River and Kettle River as well as maintaining a high streamflow advisory for the Kettle/Boundary and Kootenay Regions.
River levels in the region have been rising or flowing high for the past two weeks due to the onset of the spring snow melt season.
Along with the above normal snowpack melting, Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for the Boundary, East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Kootenay Lake and the Elk Valley, today with forecasted precipitation amounts of up to 25 millimeters through the day, and continued precipitation into Friday.
Temperatures associated with this system are low, and snow melt is expected to be limited.
Current river levels are currently high on the West Kettle, Kettle and Moyie, as well as other localized ungauged areas. Currently the West Kettle River at Westbridge is flowing at 121 cubic metres per second (m3/s), or a two‐year flow, the Kettle River near Westbridge is flowing at a two‐year flow of 231 m3 /s, and the Moyie River at Eastport is flowing at a two‐year flow of 157 m3/s. Other gauged rivers in the region are currently flowing below the two‐year flow level.
River levels across the region are expected to rise Thursday into Friday in response to the rainfall event. The amount to which rivers rise will depend on the amount of precipitation that Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations B.C. River Forecast Centre.
High streamflow is expected throughout the region, with highest precipitation rates
expected in the East Kootenay. High streamflow conditions are expected throughout the region. Flood conditions may occur on smaller, lower elevation watersheds.
The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor conditions and will provide an update as conditions warrant.
Notes:
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.
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