Image: The red area in the map represents the area under a Flood Warning. / BC River Forecast Centre

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Landslide dam

Flood Warning extended downstream from the Chilcotin River landslide

Aug 5, 2024 | 5:49 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE — The BC River Forecast Centre extended the area under a Flood Warning Monday afternoon following the release of water through the Chilcotin River landslide. The warning now encompasses the stretch from the landslide site down the Chilcotin River to where it meets the Fraser River. Authorities extended the warning downstream to the Big Bar area north of Lillooet. This area was previously under a Flood Watch.

Officials monitoring the landslide-created dam estimate that the water pooling behind the landslide will take approximately six hours to drain back into the Chilcotin River.

Image: The Chilcotin River at the site of the landslide that blocked water for days. / Monday Aug. 5, 2024 / BC Govt.

Many residents downstream of the site had been placed under an Evacuation Order earlier over the weekend. Authorities have advised anyone living or working along the Fraser River to stay off the river until the surge has passed.

Residents are also being warned to stay well back from the riverbanks, which could quickly erode and collapse during the rush of water. If the water behind the dam drains as expected over six hours, the surge is anticipated to reach the Hope region by Tuesday. Experts estimate the river will reach approximately two-thirds of the peak level of an average spring freshet.

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Further downstream, from Hope through the Fraser Valley, the Fraser River remains under a High Streamflow Advisory.