Image Credit: BC River Forecast Centre

By Victor Kaisar

High Streamflow

High streamflow advisory issued for North Thompson; other Interior basins

May 31, 2025 | 7:15 AM

KAMLOOPS — The BC River Forecast has issued a high streamflow advisory for a number of Interior river basins including the North Thompson River.

In the advisory issued Friday (May 30), it says while river levels are either rising or expected to rise rapidly, no major flooding is expected. A similar advisory is also in place for the Upper Fraser – East, the Upper Columbia, and the West Kootenay rivers and tributaries..

The River Forecast Centre says river levels in the affected areas have risen sharply over the past few days because of warmer temperatures and increased snowmelt runoff.

While temperatures have returned closer to seasonal levels, the forecast is calling for rain across the Interior Saturday (May 31), with between five and 30 mm possible in areas.

Current weather forecasts are projecting the highest amount of rainfall in the Cariboo Mountains, Rocky Mountains and Columbia Ranges, including the North Thomspon, Upper Fraser, and Upper Columbia.

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“Rivers are expected to remain high into the weekend, with the potential for additional rises in rivers on Saturday and Sunday in response to additional runoff from rainfall and snowmelt,” the advisory said. “Areas of particular concern include tributaries of the Fraser River upstream of Prince George, North Thompson, Upper Columbia, and West Kootenay.”

The statement said river flows could potentially reach two-year to five-year return periods, with localized areas of higher flows possible, especially in smaller watersheds with high-elevation snow and areas that get higher amounts of rainfall.

“High flows are anticipated today through Sunday,” the advisory added. “The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor the conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant.”

For information from the Province on how to prepare for flood hazards, go here. For the latest on flood warning and other advisories, go here.