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Chilliwack dikes ‘designed’ to contain peak flows from heavy rains: city officials

City officials to keep close eye this weekend on Nooksack River, and Chilliwack River levels
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A flooded section of Highway 1 eastbound between Cole Road and No. 3 Road looking west on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

City of Chilliwack issued a weather-related information update Thursday (Nov. 25) to reassure residents that although another rainfall warning is in effect, Chilliwack dikes are designed to “contain the flow” of the water flows forecast.

City officials will be keeping a close eye this weekend on discharge levels from the Nooksack River, as well as local rivers as they swell from another atmospheric river event.

Hydrometric data on the Chilliwack River at Vedder Crossing was provided in the city update, which shows daily discharge numbers forecast for this weekend, and beyond, by the BC River Forecast Centre.

“Our pump stations are operating normally and at full capacity,” said city officials.

The data chart showed rising water levels on the Chilliwack River at Vedder through the next set of rainstorms to Dec. 1, which are meeting or slightly exceeding the levels reached on Nov. 15, which caused localized flooding and slides.

City crews will be “working around the clock monitoring hillside roads, culverts, and major drainage ditches, and continue work on repairs,” according to the update.

All flood-related updates at at chilliwack.com/floodwatch.

The evacuation alert for Yarrow and Majuba Hill has been lifted, except for nine properties, which are still under evacuation order.

RELATED: Highway 1 open between Chilliwack and Abbotsford

RELATED: More atmospheric rivers could make things worse

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Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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