(Photo credit: B.C. River Forecast Centre).
FLOOD WATCH

Flood watch issued for North Thompson River

Jun 11, 2022 | 1:47 PM

KAMLOOPS — A flood watch has been issued for the North Thompson River and tributaries around Barriere and Clearwater.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre (BCRFC) issued the watch around noon on Saturday (June 11).

“Continued modest rises in river levels are expected over the weekend due to on-going snowmelt,” reads the release posted by the BCRFC.

“More unsettled weather is in the forecast into next week and may lead to additional rises in river levels at that time.”

The North Thompson River at McClure has been slowing rising over the past few days and is approaching a five-year flow. The Clearwater River is between a five- and ten-year flow.

In the Cariboo, a flood watch remains for the Quesnel River, Horsefly River and surrounding tributaries. The Quesnel River is approaching a ten-year return period flow. The Horsefly River above Quesnel Lake is between a five- and ten-year flow, though flows have eased slightly over the past few days.

A flood watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull. Areas beside the North Thompson may flood.

The public is advised to stay clear of the fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks during the high-streamflow period. The City of Kamloops has closed multiple amenities near the river as a precaution.

The BCRFC is monitoring conditions and will continue to provide updates.