The district of Vanderhoof is continuing flood preparations as the flow and level of the Nechako River increases.
Rio Tinto Alcan says inflow into the Nechako Reservoir remains high, near 1000 m3/s. As a result, they say the reservoir will be full by the end of the week. The reservoir elevation is currently pegged at 2799.27 feet, with 100% capacity being 2800.
The most recent snowpack numbers released by the River Forecast Centre on May 15th set the snowpack in the Nechako basin at 122% of the normal levels and recent hot weather has contributed to rapid melting of high elevation snow.
Right now the Nechako River is moving at 588 m3/s past Vanderhoof and will be climbing close to 700 m3/s by May 30th as the spillway discharge at the Skins Lake Spillway is increased over the next two days.
The District of Vanderhoof has asked Rio Tinto Alcan to begin to utilize the reservoir safety margin and start overfilling the reservoir. The company declined saying “using up this safety factor too early in the season would create risk of having much higher levels of flooding later on.” By comparison in 2007 the company began overfilling the reservoir on June 27th.
Rio Tinto will be holding a public meeting Thursday May 28th at the Friendship Centre at 7pm to talk about the flow forecast for the coming weeks.
Vanderhoof is organizing volunteers to help sandbag properties along Reid Drive, Riverview Drive and Silverview Estates on Wednesday May 27th. If you need assistance sandbagging your own property, call the District and they will attempt to organize volunteers to help you. You can contact the Regional District of Bulkey-Nechako for sand and sandbags.
Anyone that would like to help out is asked to arrive at the Vanderhoof Arena at 6pm to register. Shovels are provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own.
In Prince George the high waters have closed off Cottonwood Island Park.