The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations put out a high streamflow advisory on May 31 for the Fraser River.
A high streamflow advisory means that “river levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly, but that no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low-lying areas is possible.”
This comes as river levels rise in response to hot temperatures and rapid snowmelt in the Fraser River basin over last weekend and early this week, leading to rapid rises from Wednesday to Saturday.
They add that flows in Hope are expected to reach 9,500 to 10,000 cubic metres per second by today and tomorrow.
“This is between a 2-year and 5-year return period flow and below flow levels that were observed in 2007 (11,200 m3/s) and 2012 (11,900 m3/s),” said the advisory. “Low-lying areas on the river side of flood protection infrastructure have previously been impacted by flows at the Fraser River at Hope in the 9,000 m3/s to 10,000 m3/s range.”
After reaching peak levels this weekend, they expect flows to recede slowly next week.