Image: View of the Fraser River near Abbotsford during a spring freshet. / File / Albuscorvina / Dreamstime

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Spring Freshet

Abbotsford residents living near Matsqui dikes advised against activities that could lead to seepage

May 3, 2024 | 4:00 PM

ABBOTSFORD — As the annual freshet season approaches, the City of Abbotsford is monitoring the levels in the Fraser River to assess the risk of flooding along the Matsqui Dikes.

The latest data from the B.C. River Forecast Centre says the snow levels feeding into the Fraser River are only 61 per cent of normal as of April 1. However, given the right weather conditions, flooding can still occur through the Fraser Valley.

In a news release, the City says seasonal weather patterns play a crucial role in determining the severity of a freshet, with intense rainfall and extreme temperatures influencing the size of the snowmelt.

While the Matsqui Dikes serve to contain the river’s waters, residents living in areas adjacent to the dikes may encounter pooling or seepage due to pressure differentials caused by high-water levels.

Seepage pooling is a common occurrence during freshet, prompting officials to advise residents to refrain from activities that could exacerbate the situation. From May to September, activities such as tree removal, deep cultivation of fields, and digging with machinery near the dikes are discouraged to minimize the risk of seepage pooling or boils on properties.

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