Wet weather triggers mudslides in RDCK
By Nelson Daily Staff
The incredibly wet spring weather continues to wreak havoc on area roads in the Regional District of Central Kootenay with reports Thursday of slides near New Denver and Ainsworth.
Early Thursday, the RDCK reported a mudslide near New Denver that cut off five homes from access near Highway 6.
The slide occurred south of New Denver in the vicinity of 6934 Highway 6.
Later in the day the RDCK reported a slide below 3430 Loon Lake Road south of Ainsworth.
The slide forced the evacuation of one residence.
The RDCK reported Loon Lake Road has been heavily damaged due to heavy water flow in the vicinity.
“Traffic on the highway (31) through Ainsworth does not appear to be impacted, however, flaggers are onsite,” the RDCK media release said.
“Motorists are advised to exercise caution.”
No reports of injuries or structural damage have been received.
The RDCK also reported a slide Thursday on Hanson Road in Ainsworth.
Meanwhile, the RDCK said the Deer Park Forestry Service Road would remain closed until at least Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
Wednesday night Kootenay Pass on Highway 3 was closed due to a mudslide west of Creston. Traffic detoured to Kootenay Lake Ferry which remained operational through the night.
The highwas was re-opened to single lane, alternating traffic Thursday and fully operational by the evening.
RDCK emergency management personnel are headed to the site to assess the situation near Ainsworth.
Information will be released to the public when available.
The increase in flooding and slide events in the region forced the RDCK to activate its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
Mudslide cuts off access to homes near New Denver
Five homes have been cut off from access after a slide near Highway 6 near New Denver Thursday.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay said in a media release the slide immediately south of New Denver has cut off access to five or six homes in the vicinity of 6934 Highway 6.
“The slide has crossed a private road and slid within 25 feet of Highway 6 but has not reached the corridor,” the release said.
“The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has dispatched a geotechnical expert to access the slope to determine stability.”
The RDCK said current estimates are that up to 200 tandem truckloads of material will need to be removed from the site in order to restore access to the residences.
“No one has been injured nor have any structures been damaged.”
RDCK emergency management personnel are onsite.
Meanwhile, the RDCK said the Deer Park Forestry Service Road will remain closed until at least Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
The RDCK said the road was closed after heavy water flow caused part of the road to slide into the lake at kilometre 7.2. The road has been deemed unsafe for vehicular travel by a geotechnical expert.
Eighteen full time residents of Deer Park are affected by the closure, as are property owners in Renata
“The RDCK is currently working with Deer Park residents and emergency social services personnel to assist the community with any help it may need,” says Andrew Bellerby, EOC Director and General Manager of Fire and Emergency Services.
“Our public’s safety is paramount.”
Once the damage to the road has been remediated and declared safe for travel, the RDCK will update the public.
