File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Snowpack

B.C. snowpack totals remain above normal, set stage for potential spring flooding

Apr 8, 2020 | 1:03 PM

VICTORIA — A larger-than-normal snowpack across B.C. is raising flood fears.

According to April 1 totals released by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, the province-wide snowpack is 112 per cent of normal.

The release notes there was modest snowfall over the past month, but cooler temperatures led to very little melt in the higher elevations.

Closer to Kamloops, the North Thompson basin is at 117 per cent of normal snowpack, while the South Thompson is at 123 per cent. Those percentages are down slightly from March.

The Nicola basin is one of the few regions in B.C. with a below-normal reading, at 92 per cent.

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Donald has it wrong - again

Dec 08, 2024

The Upper Fraser West and East basins are very high, at 129 per cent and 147 per cent, respectively.

The entire Fraser River basin is at 116 per cent of normal.

The ministry says it’s typical that the province’s snowpack reaches its annual maximum at mid-April, so it’s unlikely we’ll receive much more.

It notes if cool weather persists, the flood risk could be increased as snow melt is delayed.

Image Credit: Province of B.C.

View the full report here: