Image: Screen shot image of the Chilcotin River at the site of a landslide. / @nathancullen / X (twitter)

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Environment

Concern growing in Fraser Valley over potential impact of Chilcotin River landslide

Aug 2, 2024 | 1:43 PM

CHILLIWACK — Two of the largest cities in the Fraser Valley are warning residents of the potential damage that could be caused by the release of water trapped by a landslide along the Chilcotin River in the B.C. Interior.

In social media posts over the last day, Chilliwack and Abbotsford are altering residents to the issuance of a high streamflow advisory along the Fraser River from the BC River Forecast Centre.

The BC River Forecast Centre issued a Flood Warning for the area surrounding the landslide near Farwell Canyon approximately 60 km southwest of Williams Lake on Thursday (Aug. 1). A Flood Watch was also put in place downstream to Hope. Residents in affected areas are being told to be prepared to evacuate immediately if they are told to leave their properties.

The Fraser River from Hope through Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Mission and continuing to the ocean, is under a High Streamflow Advisory. Significant flooding is not expected downstream from Hope.

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During a news conference Friday, Bowinn Ma, the B.C.Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness called on residents to avoid boating and other recreational activities on the river over the weekend. “Stay off of the Chilcotin and Fraser Rivers this weekend,” said Ma. “If there is a catastrophic break in the dam, our latest data suggests it will take 12 to 24 hours for the water and debris to reach Hope.”

Authorities say the blockage could release within the next 48 hours. At Friday’s news conference, government officials said the dam had grown to 1000 metres in length, 600 metres in width and is approximately 30 metres deep. A rise in water levels along the Chilcotin River is being measured 11 kilometres upstream from the blockage.