The South Thompson River near Sandman Centre, June 24 (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Adam Donnelly)

By James Peters

B.C. Flood

Province warns Kamloops rivers may soon see highest levels this year

Jun 24, 2020 | 11:06 AM

KAMLOOPS — Rainfall in the Kamloops area over the past few days is causing the rivers in the area to rise again.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre (RFC) has issued high streamflow advisories for the North Thompson River and its tributaries, including the Blue River and the Clearwater River, as well as for the Thompson River at Kamloops and downstream to Spences Bridge.

A previously-instituted high streamflow advisory for the South Thompson River and its tributaries, including Shuswap Lake, the Adams River and the Shuswap River, remains in place.

The RFC says as much as 30 millimetres of rainfall has been recorded in the North Thompson watershed, leading to the rivers rising quickly, with ongoing snowmelt also playing a part.

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Sept. 30

Oct 05, 2024

Two and Out

PETERS: Four dogs will die and the owners responsible will get away with it

Oct 04, 2024

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: October 3, 2024

Oct 04, 2024

Levels are expected to rise throughout the day in the North Thompson headwaters, with elevated levels seen downstream through Clearwater and McLure for the next few days.

The South Thompson has received up to 10 millimetres of rain over the past few days, and the RFC says that, combined with the elevated flows on the North thompson, will lead to rising levels on the Thompson through Kamloops for the rest of the week.

The RFC says levels may reach or exceed the peaks already seen this season.

The June 24 chart of river levels at the Overlanders Bridge shows the Thompson River is already nearing the peak seen in early June.