June 1 (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling)

By James Peters

B.C. Flood

City of Kamloops keeps eyes on dikes, weather forecast as Thompson Rivers creep higher

Jun 3, 2020 | 2:39 PM

KAMLOOPS — City of Kamloops crews are inspecting dikes and hoping for dry skies as they nervously watch the rising Thompson Rivers.

Utility Services Manager Greg Wightman says daily dike inspections are the most important part of his department’s job right now.

Wightman says with the North Thompson River near its peak, he’s hoping a storm forecast for the North Thompson basin this weekend doesn’t come to pass.

“At some point during this week, we expect [the North Thompson] will likely reach that peak,” Wightman told CFJC Today. “The thing that’s causing us some concern right now is we are keeping an eye on a potential storm that could be coming into the North Thompson catchment area on Saturday. Anytime we get a heavy rainfall when the rivers are near their peaks, that’s always something that could cause some concern.”

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The B.C. River Forecast notes the South Thompson could still be a couple of weeks from peaking.

Not far from where the two rivers converge, the City’s Overlanders Bridge monitor shows levels approaching those seen in 2017 and 2018. Wightman believes the peak will be similar to the one seen 21 years ago.

Overlander Bridge level as of June 3: (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

“I’d be taking every precaution you can if you live along any one of the rivers right now. This is going to be a very high water year. It’s going to be significantly higher than anything we’ve seen in recent memory — probably dating back as far as 1999. We’re looking at levels similar to that,” said Wightman. “So just make sure that you’re prepared that the peaks that are going to be coming in here in the next couple of weeks.”

City crews have set up Hesco baskets in Riverside Park and McArthur Island Park to protect sanitary lift stations, and Wightman says it is up to residents themselves to protect their own properties.

“Residents should be protecting their homes. At this stage, we’re not protecting private homes. We’re protecting critical sanitary infrastructure. So residents should be taking advantage of the free sand and sandbags that we have around the city. You can go to our website… and there’s a list of locations where you can get those supplies.”

Boat launches are closed, but that may not stop some from using watercraft.

Wightman advises against it, noting the clearance beneath the CN rail bridge in Kamloops is very low and rescuers will have a hard time getting to people who encounter trouble.

“That’s the real challenge right now for us, is that we can’t get the rescue crews out onto that river as easily as you typically can. You just can’t pass under some of the bridges right now. So if you are down at the river, I don’t recommend being out there, but use extreme caution if you are going anywhere near that river.”