File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

B.C. Flood

Flood watch issued for Bonaparte; new data shows provincial snowpack on the decline

May 22, 2020 | 10:13 AM

VICTORIA — The latest assessment from the B.C. River Forecast Centre (RFC) shows province-wide snowpack has started to inch below normal.

After a reading of 106 per cent on May 1, the province-wide snowpack as of May 15 is down to 97 per cent of seasonal norms.

The RFC says larger river systems have not yet peaked and may still flood – including the North and South Thompson basins.

The May 15 numbers show the North Thompson basin at 112 per cent of normal — down from 118 per cent — and the South Thompson is measured at 110 per cent — down from 124 per cent.

Meantime, the centre has instituted a flood watch for the Bonaparte River, which is flowing at a 20- to 50-year rate. The RFC says once runoff from recent rainfall moves through in the next few days, the Bonaparte will come down. The village of Cache Creek declared a state of local emergency and evacuation alert for about 175 properties Thursday (May 21).

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The full May 15 report from the B.C. River Forecast Centre can be read here: