(CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

Snowpack

North Thompson snowpack grows, spring flooding threat remains for Kamloops

May 10, 2022 | 10:36 AM

KAMLOOPS — High mountain snowpacks that feed the North Thompson river are continuing to increase according to the latest provincial data from May 1.

According to the B.C. River Forecast Centre’s (BCRFC) snow survey and water supply bulletin, the North Thompson snowpack is at 128 per cent of normal, up from 119 per cent as of April 1.

BCRFC states the high snowpack in the North Thompson indicates a heightened concern for flooding in Kamloops, as the North Thompson is at its highest index since 1999.

The South Thompson basin is at 107 per cent snowpack as of May 1, an increase from 101 per cent as of April 1. However, the BCRFC notes since the South Thompson borders the North Thompson and Upper Columbia basins, it’s possible that its snowpack is slightly higher than the snow basin index suggests. The reading in the Upper Columbia is at 121 per cent.

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The average of all snow measurements for the entire Fraser River basin is 114 per cent, up from 102 per cent the previous month.

BCRFC adds the November 2021 floods made many rivers more vulnerable to freshet high flows, although the May 1 snowpack for the Nicola, Similkameen, and lower Fraser River are near normal. However, it says rivers may be at increased vulnerability to flooding at lower freshet levels than previous seasons due to significant erosion and possible changes in the river channel morphology.

BCRFC will release an updated seasonal flood risk forecast in its May 15 bulletin, which is scheduled for release on May 20.

(B.C. River Forecast Centre).