The Fadear Lake Dam. (Image Credit: Thompson-Nicola Regional District)

By Victor Kaisar

Fadear Lake Dam

State of Local Emergency in effect as TNRD, Province assess ‘unauthorized’ Fadear Lake dam site

Oct 9, 2025 | 11:02 AM

KAMLOOPS — Officials in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) have declared a state of local emergency in Electoral Area “O” (Lower North Thompson) in connection with an unauthorized man-made dam that is at risk of flooding.

The TNRD says the emergency declaration enables it to take action to mitigate the risks at the Fadear Lake dam, north of Sun Peaks and south east of Barriere. The dam is located at the north end of Fadear Lake where it drains into Fadear Creek.

“This declaration enables prompt coordination of action or special regulation of persons or property to protect the health, safety, or welfare of people or to limit damage to property,” the TNRD said.

According to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the dam “is at risk of imminent failure, which could result in an uncontrolled release of water from the lake into Fadear Creek.”

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An evacuation alert for 14 properties in the area of Fadear Creek Road that was issued on Monday (Oct. 6) remains in effect.

TNRD communications and marketing manager, Colton Davies, said crews were able to access the dam site yesterday (Oct. 8) from a road on the east side of the lake.

“From this access point there was a steep grade to the dam, and access from the road was by foot trail only,” Davies said. “TNRD staff are working with engineers to determine what work can be done in the immediate term, and how equipment may be able to access the dam site and do emergency works.”

Davies also said the dam is located on Crown land, adding the TNRD’s involvement is for these emergency works only. He also said is unclear who built the dam.

“The dam is man-made and the Province considers this an unauthorized dam,” Davies added.

According to the Ministry, there was another unauthorized dam in the same area that caused damage in 2023. However, Davies said the TNRD was unaware of that dam and not involved in any response.

Image Credit: Thompson-Nicola Regional District

Image Credit: Thompson-Nicola Regional District

Image Credit: Thompson-Nicola Regional District